Bull case
SOJC would need investors to value it at roughly 11x earnings — about 7x more generous than today's 5x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Three scenarios for where SOJC stock could go
SOJC would need investors to value it at roughly 11x earnings — about 7x more generous than today's 5x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
At 6x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
If investor confidence fades or macro conditions deteriorate, a 2x multiple contraction could push SOJC down roughly 38% from where it trades now.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.

Southern Company is a major electric utility holding company that generates and distributes electricity across the southeastern United States. It makes money primarily through regulated utility operations — selling electricity to retail customers in its service territories — supplemented by wholesale power sales from its generation assets and natural gas distribution. Its key advantage is its regulated monopoly status in its core service areas, providing stable cash flows through government-approved rates.
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | $0.79/$0.88 | -9.3% | $7.0B/$6.4B | +9.6% |
| Q4 2025 | $1.54/$1.51 | +2.0% | $7.8B/$7.6B | +2.7% |
| Q4 2025 | $1.54/$1.51 | +2.0% | $7.8B/$7.6B | +2.7% |
| Q1 2026 | $0.55/$0.56 | -1.4% | $7.0B/$6.1B | +14.5% |
SOJC beat EPS estimates in 2 of 4 tracked quarters. Mixed delivery makes the upcoming report a key data point for re-rating.
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Latest annual revenue by reported region
Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Fair value est. $74 — implies +242.3% from today's price.
| Metric | SOJC | S&P 500 | Utilities | 5Y Avg SOJC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 4.8x | 19.1x-75% | 17.3x-72% | — |
| Trailing PE | 5.6x | 25.1x-78% | 19.5x-72% | 7.2x-22% |
| PEG Ratio | 0.82x | 1.70x-52% | 1.69x-52% | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 7.2x | 15.3x-53% | 12.0x-40% | 8.4x-15% |
| Price/FCF | — | 21.4x | 16.2x | 120.5x |
| Price/Sales | 0.7x | 3.1x-76% | 2.2x-67% | 1.0x-22% |
| Dividend Yield | 12.48% | 1.90% | 3.10% | 11.79% |
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolSOJC earns 24.6% operating margin on regulated earnings, 12.5% dividend yield. Utilities carry higher leverage than industrials as a structural feature of the business model.
Revenue, regulated margins, and earnings
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
Regulated utilities typically operate at 3–5× net debt/FCF — this is structural, not a risk flag.
How capital is returned to owners
All figures from the trailing twelve months. Utilities operate with structural leverage (3–5× net debt/FCF) due to regulated, predictable cash flows.
Open full ratios pageKey factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
SOJC stock has experienced a 52-week low, reflecting a decline in investor confidence due to a challenging economic climate. Its performance is susceptible to shifts in U.S. Treasury yields and overall risk sentiment in fixed income markets.
As a utility company, SOJC faces significant industry-wide pressures that could impact future earnings. Unanticipated severe weather events and changes in state or federal energy policy may lead to increased operational costs and altered capital expenditure requirements.
Severe weather events can result in unbudgeted operational costs for SOJC, affecting profitability. Additionally, broader macroeconomic shifts may influence consumer energy demand patterns, further complicating revenue projections.
SOJC's Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio stands at 5.4, which is low compared to industry peers, suggesting potential undervaluation or weaker growth prospects. This disparity could impact investor perception and stock performance.
While some analysts have revised earnings expectations upward for SOJC, indicating potential positive sentiment, it is essential to monitor these revisions closely. The overall analyst rating landscape remains neutral, suggesting a cautious approach.
SOJC ranks 43 for risk/return, indicating a typical balance of risk and reward. Although it does not stand out, it is not flagged as a significant red flag, suggesting it could be a reasonable choice if aligned with investor goals.
The maximum drawdown for SOJC was 22.06% on March 18, 2020, with recovery taking 51 trading sessions. This historical volatility highlights the potential risks associated with investing in this stock.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
Southern Company has a history of consistent dividend payments, maintaining them for an impressive 55 consecutive years. They reported a net income of $4.3 billion and a net profit margin of 14.7% on trailing twelve-month revenue of $29.6 billion, with a 6.20% dividend yield over the last twelve months.
Despite facing industry pressures, the company has demonstrated revenue growth of 5.83% while maintaining a healthy gross profit margin of nearly 50%. This indicates strong operational efficiency and resilience in its business model.
Analysts have revised their earnings expectations upward for the upcoming period, reflecting positive sentiment towards the company's future performance. The average one-year price target from analysts is $24.51, with forecasts ranging from $19.00 to $28.60.
The days to cover for SOJC stock is low at 1.0 days, suggesting high liquidity. This indicates that the stock can be traded easily without significantly impacting its price.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SOJ SOJC The Southern Company JR 2017B NT 77 | $21.8B | 4.8x | +6.4% | 14.7% | — | — |
NEE NEE NextEra Energy, Inc. | $194.6B | 23.1x | +9.1% | 29.3% | Buy | +5.2% |
DUK DUK Duke Energy Corporation | $97.3B | 18.6x | +2.4% | 15.4% | Hold | +8.5% |
D D Dominion Energy, Inc. | $54.2B | 17.2x | +5.7% | 13.5% | Hold | +7.5% |
AEP AEP American Electric Power Company, Inc. | $71.7B | 20.8x | +6.3% | 16.5% | Buy | +3.4% |
EXC EXC Exelon Corporation | $45.4B | 15.6x | +2.9% | 11.2% | Hold | +10.7% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
SOJC returns 12.5% total yield, led by a 12.48% dividend.
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.66 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | $1.31 | -0.0% | 0.0% | 12.6% |
| 2024 | $1.31 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 12.2% |
| 2023 | $1.31 | +0.6% | 0.0% | 11.5% |
| 2022 | $1.31 | -0.6% | 0.0% | 12.7% |
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
The Southern Company JR 2017B NT 77 (SOJC) has limited published analyst coverage at this time. The model scenario range runs from $13 to $51 around a current price of $22. Use the scenario targets and valuation multiples on this page as a guide.
SOJC trades at 4.8x times forward earnings. The stock currently trades at a discount to the broader market. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals significantly undervalued. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
The primary risks for SOJC in 2026 are: (1) Market Volatility and Economic Climate — SOJC stock has experienced a 52-week low, reflecting a decline in investor confidence due to a challenging economic climate. (2) Industry-Specific Pressures — As a utility company, SOJC faces significant industry-wide pressures that could impact future earnings. (3) Operational Costs and Demand Fluctuations — Severe weather events can result in unbudgeted operational costs for SOJC, affecting profitability. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
Analyst consensus estimates SOJC will report consensus revenue of $31.4B (+6.4% year-over-year) and EPS of $4.70 (+20.2% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $33.5B in revenue.
A confirmed upcoming earnings date for SOJC is not yet available. Check the Earnings section above for the most recent quarterly report dates and forward estimates.
The Southern Company JR 2017B NT 77 (SOJC) generated $9.8B in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 33.2%. SOJC returns capital to shareholders through dividends (12.5% yield) and share repurchases ($0 TTM).