DTB
DTE Energy Company 2020 Series
Regulated Electric
Market Cap$3.55B
5Y Perf.-33.2%
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Stock Comparison
DTB vs SO
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
SO
The Southern Company
Regulated Electric
Market Cap$104.20B
5Y Perf.+60.9%
DTB vs SO — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | DTB | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Regulated Electric | Regulated Electric |
| Market Cap | $3.55B | $104.20B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $15.28B | $30.17B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $1.46B | $4.36B |
| Gross Margin | 16.9% | 43.1% |
| Operating Margin | 13.4% | 24.1% |
| Forward P/E | 2.2x | 20.2x |
| Total Debt | $26.52B | $65.82B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $250M | $1.64B |
DTB vs SO — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
DTB
SO
| Stock | Oct 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTE Energy Company … (DTB) | 100 | 66.8 | -33.2% |
| The Southern Company (SO) | 100 | 160.9 | +60.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: DTB vs SO
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: DTB leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. The Southern Company is the stronger pick specifically for profitability and margin quality and capital preservation and lower volatility. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
DTB
DTE Energy Company 2020 Series
The Income Pick
DTB carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 3 yrs, beta 0.72, yield 24.6%
- Rev growth 22.7%, EPS growth 4.1%, 3Y rev CAGR -7.4%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.72, current ratio 0.80x
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
SO
The Southern Company
The Long-Run Compounder
SO is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 137.8% 10Y total return vs DTB's -9.7%
- 14.5% margin vs DTB's 9.6%
- Lower D/E ratio (169.3% vs 215.5%)
Best for: long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | DTB | 22.7% revenue growth vs SO's 10.6% |
| Value | DTB | Lower P/E (2.2x vs 20.2x) |
| Quality / Margins | SO | 14.5% margin vs DTB's 9.6% |
| Stability / Safety | SO | Lower D/E ratio (169.3% vs 215.5%) |
| Dividends | DTB | 24.6% yield, 3-year raise streak, vs SO's 2.9% |
| Momentum (1Y) | SO | +3.6% vs DTB's +3.5% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | DTB | 2.8% ROA vs SO's 2.8%, ROIC 4.2% vs 5.3% |
DTB vs SO — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2023
FY 2025
DTB vs SO — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLDTBLAGGINGSO
SOThe Southern Company
2leads
DTBDTE Energy Company 20…
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs SOMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
DTB5/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
DTB5/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
SO6/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
SO2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
DTB2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — DTB and SO each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
SO is the larger business by revenue, generating $30.2B annually — 2.0x DTB's $15.3B. Profitability is closely matched — net margins range from 14.5% (SO) to 9.6% (DTB). On growth, DTB holds the edge at +13.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | DTBDTE Energy Compan… | SOThe Southern Comp… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $15.3B | $30.2B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $4.0B | $13.3B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $1.5B | $4.4B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$1.0B | -$3.8B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +16.9% | +43.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +13.4% | +24.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +9.6% | +14.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -6.6% | -12.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +13.4% | +8.0% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +27.0% | -0.8% |
Evenly matched — DTB and SO each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
DTB leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 2.4x trailing earnings, DTB trades at a 90% valuation discount to SO's 23.6x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, DTB's 7.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than SO's 12.7x.
| Metric | DTBDTE Energy Compan… | SOThe Southern Comp… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $3.5B | $104.2B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $29.8B | $168.4B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 2.42x | 23.58x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 2.21x | 20.21x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 4.03x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 7.53x | 12.66x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.23x | 3.53x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.29x | 2.64x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | — |
DTB leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
DTB leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
DTB delivers a 12.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $12 in annual profit, vs $11 for SO. SO carries lower financial leverage with a 1.69x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to DTB's 2.16x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), DTB scores 6/9 vs SO's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | DTBDTE Energy Compan… | SOThe Southern Comp… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +12.2% | +11.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.8% | +2.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +4.2% | +5.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +4.4% | +5.4% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 2.16x | 1.69x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $26.3B | $64.2B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $250M | $1.6B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $26.5B | $65.8B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 1.94x | 2.51x |
DTB leads this category, winning 5 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
SO leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in SO five years ago would be worth $16,062 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $8,900 for DTB. Over the past 12 months, SO leads with a +3.6% total return vs DTB's +3.5%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors SO at 10.7% vs DTB's 0.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | DTBDTE Energy Compan… | SOThe Southern Comp… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +0.4% | +6.9% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +3.5% | +3.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +1.4% | +35.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -11.0% | +60.6% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -9.7% | +137.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +0.4% | +10.7% |
SO leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SO leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
SO is the less volatile stock with a -0.15 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than DTB's 0.72 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | DTBDTE Energy Compan… | SOThe Southern Comp… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.72x | -0.15x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $19.18 | $100.84 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $6.29 | $83.09 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +89.0% | +91.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 60.9 | 43.5 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 17K | 4.5M |
SO leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
DTB leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
For income investors, DTB offers the higher dividend yield at 24.65% vs SO's 2.94%.
| Metric | DTBDTE Energy Compan… | SOThe Southern Comp… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | — | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | — | $99.62 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | — | 33 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +24.6% | +2.9% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 3 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $4.21 | $2.72 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
DTB leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
DTB leads in 3 of 6 categories (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). SO leads in 2 (Total Returns, Risk & Volatility). 1 tied.
Best OverallDTE Energy Company 2020 Ser… (DTB)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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DTB vs SO: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is DTB or SO a better buy right now?
For growth investors, DTE Energy Company 2020 Series (DTB) is the stronger pick with 22.
7% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 10. 6% for The Southern Company (SO). DTE Energy Company 2020 Series (DTB) offers the better valuation at 2. 4x trailing P/E (2. 2x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate The Southern Company (SO) a "Hold" — based on 33 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — DTB or SO?
On trailing P/E, DTE Energy Company 2020 Series (DTB) is the cheapest at 2.
4x versus The Southern Company at 23. 6x. On forward P/E, DTE Energy Company 2020 Series is actually cheaper at 2. 2x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — DTB or SO?
Over the past 5 years, The Southern Company (SO) delivered a total return of +60.
6%, compared to -11. 0% for DTE Energy Company 2020 Series (DTB). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: SO returned +137. 8% versus DTB's -9. 7%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — DTB or SO?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), The Southern Company (SO) is the lower-risk stock at -0.
15β versus DTE Energy Company 2020 Series's 0. 72β — meaning DTB is approximately -578% more volatile than SO relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, The Southern Company (SO) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 169% versus 2% for DTE Energy Company 2020 Series — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — DTB or SO?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), DTE Energy Company 2020 Series (DTB) is pulling ahead at 22.
7% versus 10. 6% for The Southern Company (SO). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: DTE Energy Company 2020 Series grew EPS 4. 1% year-over-year, compared to -1. 8% for The Southern Company. Over a 3-year CAGR, SO leads at 0. 3% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — DTB or SO?
The Southern Company (SO) is the more profitable company, earning 14.
7% net margin versus 9. 6% for DTE Energy Company 2020 Series — meaning it keeps 14. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: SO leads at 24. 6% versus 13. 4% for DTB. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — SO leads at 29. 8%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is DTB or SO more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, DTE Energy Company 2020 Series (DTB) trades at 2.
2x forward P/E versus 20. 2x for The Southern Company — 18. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis.
08Which pays a better dividend — DTB or SO?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
DTE Energy Company 2020 Series (DTB) offers the highest yield at 24. 6%, versus 2. 9% for The Southern Company (SO).
09Is DTB or SO better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, The Southern Company (SO) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β -0.
15), 2. 9% yield, +137. 8% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (SO: +137. 8%, DTB: -9. 7%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between DTB and SO?
Both stocks operate in the Utilities sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: DTB is a small-cap high-growth stock; SO is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(DTB: 13.4% · SO: 8.0%)Net Margin>
%
(DTB: 9.6% · SO: 14.5%)P/E Ratio<
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