The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations. In addition, it owns and operates nuclear, coal, hydro, cogeneration, solar, wind, battery storage, and fuel cell facilities. Further, the constructs, operates, and maintains approximately 77,900 miles of natural gas pipelines and 14 storage facilities with total capacity of 157 Bcf to provide natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The company serves approximately 8.9 million electric and gas utility customers. Further, it develops distributed energy and resilience solutions; deploys microgrids for commercial, industrial, governmental, and utility customers; and offers digital wireless communications and fiber optics services. The Southern Company was incorporated in 1945 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

Southern Company (The)

Vanguard has a very large collection of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), with choices that should appease just about any investor. One ETF that will fit in almost any portfolio is the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO). However, the Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF (NYSEMKT: VOOV) could be the best ETF to invest in right now if you have $1,000 burning a hole in your pocket.
Here's what you need to know.
Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. See the 10 stocks »
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is the common choice
The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) index is a curated list of roughly 500 U.S. companies. It is meant to represent the U.S. economy. The stocks in the index are weighted by market cap, so the largest companies have the greatest impact on the overall performance of the index. If you are looking to track the market, Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is probably one of the best choices you have, noting that it has a tiny expense ratio of 0.03%.
But if you already have some broad market exposure in your portfolio, which might already come from an S&P 500 index tracking investment, you might want to do something a little different with new cash you invest. This is where a look at Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (NYSEMKT: VOOG) and Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF comes in. Over the past few years, the former has been the growth-focused alternative that has driven the broader index higher.
The difference between growth and value
There's no rocket science here; Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF looks at sales growth, the ratio of earnings change to price and momentum when selecting stocks for the ETF. A small number of large growth stocks have been driving the broader S&P 500 index higher in recent years, and that is clear when you graph this ETF against the entire index and Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF.
But there's a small problem that might bother some investors. The average price-to-earnings ratio and price-to-book value ratio of Vanguard S&P 500 ETF are 27.7 and 4.9, respectively. For Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF, those figures are 34.6 and 9.4, respectively. The growth-focused version of the S&P 500 is looking really expensive right now.
This elevated valuation is why investors might want to add a little more value to their portfolios with Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF. The average P/E ratio of this value ETF is 22.7 and the average P/B ratio is 3.2. This value ETF variant is created by looking at "the ratios of book value, earnings and sales to price." While a P/E ratio of 22.7 isn't exactly low, it is well below the broader index and the growth-focused ETF option. The same story is true of the P/B ratio. Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF is very clearly living up to its goal, even though the market as a whole is rather expensive right now.
Time to err on the side of value
The market tends to move like a pendulum, swinging from one extreme to another over time. After such a long period in which growth has led the way, it seems like it might be a good time to err on the side of value. While it probably isn't a great idea to shift entirely into Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF, if you have some new money to put to work, you might want to tilt things in the value direction. And Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF lets you do that easily and fairly cheaply, as both this ETF and Vanguard's growth variant have 0.1% expense ratios.
Should you invest $1,000 in Vanguard Admiral Funds - Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF right now?
Before you buy stock in Vanguard Admiral Funds - Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Vanguard Admiral Funds - Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $901,323!*
Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.
*Stock Advisor returns as of January 21, 2025
Reuben Gregg Brewer has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

The Best Vanguard ETF to Invest $1,000 in Right Now

Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company SO, in collaboration with Mitsubishi Power, has successfully received the first of three advanced simple-cycle gas combustion turbines at Plant Yates, located in Coweta County, GA. The delivery marks a significant advancement in the region’s energy infrastructure, with the turbine being assembled at Mitsubishi Power’s Savannah facility and then moved by rail and truck. The turbine, an impressive 350 tons in weight, measuring 50 feet long and 18 feet wide, represents the latest in energy technology.
These Mitsubishi Power M501JAC combustion turbines are the first natural gas turbines added to Georgia Power’s generation fleet in 10 years. Once fully operational, the three units will collectively generate 1,300 megawatts (MW) of power, dramatically strengthening energy capacity and reliability for customers across Georgia.
Historic Significance and Modernization of Plant Yates
Plant Yates holds a prominent place in Southern’s history, having commenced commercial operations in 1950. Originally established to support post-World War II economic growth, the plant has evolved significantly over the decades. In 2014, a key transformation saw five of the seven coal-fired units at Plant Yates decommissioned, while the remaining two coal units were converted to natural gas generation. This transition underlined SO’s commitment to cleaner and more efficient energy sources.
The introduction of these three new state-of-the-art gas turbines further cements Plant Yates as a cornerstone of Georgia’s energy portfolio, reflecting ongoing investments that balance reliability, sustainability and economic growth. The expansion project alone is creating around 600 construction jobs and will permanently increase Plant Yates’ workforce by 15 full-time positions, supporting a total of 75 permanent employees.
Strategic Growth With Efficient Natural Gas Technology
SO’s unit continues to leverage its strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Mitsubishi Power to meet increasing energy demands in a growing state. The Georgia Public Service Commission approved the new gas turbines as part of the 2023 Integrated Resource Plan Update, highlighting a forward-thinking approach to energy planning. With natural gas generation offering shorter construction timelines and operational flexibility, these units are scheduled to come online by the end of 2027.
This timely addition to Georgia’s energy infrastructure ensures the state remains well-equipped to provide affordable, reliable power as demand escalates. By utilizing existing property and infrastructure at Plant Yates, SO’s subsidiary delivers maximum value to customers, supporting its position as a dependable energy provider.
Advanced Technology and Operational Excellence of M501JAC Turbines
The Mitsubishi Power M501JAC gas turbines, now installed at Plant Yates, are some of the most advanced models in the industry. Featuring air-cooled technology, these turbines eliminate the need for steam cooling, which results in faster start-up times, approximately 30 minutes, making them highly responsive to grid demands. The turbines also offer a lower turndown rate, allowing for efficient operation at varied power outputs without compromising performance. Importantly, these units incorporate fuel flexibility, capable of running on oil in rare circumstances when the natural gas supply is interrupted.
On-site oil storage ensures continuity and system resiliency. Moreover, the M501JAC turbines are designed to accommodate hydrogen blending with minimal modifications, positioning Georgia Power at the forefront of low-carbon fuel innovation. This aligns with ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions, including Georgia Power’s pioneering 50% hydrogen blending pilot at Plant McDonough-Atkinson, developed in partnership with Mitsubishi Power.
Commitment to Local Manufacturing and Workforce Development
The assembly of the M501JAC turbines at Mitsubishi Power’s Savannah Machinery Works highlights a significant investment in U.S.-based manufacturing and skilled labor. Cheryl Boddiford, senior vice president at Mitsubishi Power, highlighted how this collaboration boosts Georgia’s energy infrastructure while creating jobs and supporting workforce development in local communities. The partnership between Georgia Power and Mitsubishi Power exemplifies a shared dedication to delivering cutting-edge, flexible and high-efficiency energy solutions that will meet the country’s needs for decades to come.
Enhancing Energy Reliability and Customer Value
Rick Anderson, senior vice president and senior production officer of Georgia Power, underscored its unwavering commitment to providing customers with dependable, affordable energy accessible around the clock. The new natural gas turbines at Plant Yates represent a critical component of a diversified generation portfolio designed to enhance grid stability and meet evolving energy needs. This project exemplifies strategic use of existing infrastructure combined with innovative technology to maximize benefits for consumers while fostering sustainable economic growth in Coweta County and beyond.
Southern’s investment in these advanced turbines at Plant Yates not only strengthens the state’s energy capacity but also demonstrates leadership in adopting next-generation technology. This initiative ensures that Georgia remains on a path toward a resilient, cleaner and more flexible energy future.
SO’s Zacks Rank and Key Picks
Currently, SO carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Investors interested in the utility sector might look at some better-ranked stocks like TransAlta Corporation TAC, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Fortis Inc. FTS and E.ON SE EONGY, each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
TransAlta is worth approximately $3.66 billion. It currently pays a dividend of 19 cents per share, or 1.53% on an annual basis. The company is involved in generating, producing and selling electric power across multiple sectors. It operates through five key segments: Hydro, Wind and Solar, Gas, Energy Transition and Energy Marketing. TransAlta owns and operates a mix of hydroelectric, wind, solar and gas-powered generation facilities across Canada, the United States and Western Australia, totaling several thousand megawatts of capacity. TransAlta, founded in 1909, is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.
Fortis is worth approximately $25.56 billion. It currently pays a dividend of $1.78 per share, or 3.51% on an annual basis. Fortis is an electric and gas utility company operating in Canada, the United States and the Caribbean. It serves more than 452,000 electricity customers in southeastern Arizona, distributes natural gas in British Columbia and owns several hydroelectric and gas-fired power plants. The company also provides services across various regions, including Alberta, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Caribbean, with extensive distribution networks and a range of energy assets. Fortis was founded in 1885 and is headquartered in Saint John's, Canada.
E.ON SE is worth approximately $48.52 billion. It currently pays a dividend of 46 cents per share, or 2.45% on an annual basis. E.ON SE is a multinational energy company headquartered in Essen, Germany, operating across Europe and internationally through its Energy Networks, Energy Infrastructure Solutions and Energy Retail segments.The company provides comprehensive energy services, including power and gas distribution, sustainable energy solutions, smart technology installations and green energy products to residential, commercial and industrial customers.
Free Report: Profiting from the 2nd Wave of AI Explosion
The next phase of the AI explosion is poised to create significant wealth for investors, especially those who get in early. It will add literally trillion of dollars to the economy and revolutionize nearly every part of our lives.
Investors who bought shares like Nvidia at the right time have had a shot at huge gains.
But the rocket ride in the "first wave" of AI stocks may soon come to an end. The sharp upward trajectory of these stocks will begin to level off, leaving exponential growth to a new wave of cutting-edge companies.
Zacks' AI Boom 2.0: The Second Wave report reveals 4 under-the-radar companies that may soon be shining stars of AI’s next leap forward.
Access AI Boom 2.0 now, absolutely free >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Southern's Subsidiary Installs Advanced Turbines at Plant Yates

(RTTNews) - Georgia Power a subsidiary of The Southern Company (SO), in partnership with Mitsubishi Power, has received the first of three advanced M501JAC combustion turbines for Plant Yates in Coweta County, marking the first new natural gas turbines added to its fleet in a decade.
Each unit will help deliver 1,300 MW of generation capacity by 2027, meeting Georgia's rising energy demand. The 350-ton turbine, built at Mitsubishi's Savannah facility, highlights U.S.-based manufacturing and job creation, supporting 600 construction roles and 15 new permanent positions.
The new turbines offer higher efficiency, faster startup times, oil backup capability, and future hydrogen fuel adaptability. Georgia Power's long-term investment aligns with its Integrated Resource Plan approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission, ensuring reliable, flexible energy while enhancing economic growth.
Rick Anderson of Georgia Power emphasized that the expansion will strengthen grid reliability using existing infrastructure, while Mitsubishi's Cheryl Boddiford underscored the partnership's role in delivering cutting-edge, domestically produced power technology.
Georgia Power is also upgrading other facilities, including Plant McIntosh, and pursuing additional combined cycle capacity to meet the state's projected energy needs. Natural gas, currently supplying 40% of Georgia Power's output, remains a cornerstone of its diversified energy strategy.
SO currently trades at $94.36 or 0.18% higher on the NYSE.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Georgia Power And Mitsubishi Deliver First Of Three New Gas Turbines To Plant Yates

Looking at the universe of stocks we cover at Dividend Channel, on 8/18/25, Southern Company (Symbol: SO), Constellation Energy Corp (Symbol: CEG), and Black Hills Corporation (Symbol: BKH) will all trade ex-dividend for their respective upcoming dividends. Southern Company will pay its quarterly dividend of $0.74 on 9/8/25, Constellation Energy Corp will pay its quarterly dividend of $0.3878 on 9/5/25, and Black Hills Corporation will pay its quarterly dividend of $0.676 on 9/2/25. As a percentage of SO's recent stock price of $94.79, this dividend works out to approximately 0.78%, so look for shares of Southern Company to trade 0.78% lower — all else being equal — when SO shares open for trading on 8/18/25. Similarly, investors should look for CEG to open 0.12% lower in price and for BKH to open 1.10% lower, all else being equal.
Below are dividend history charts for SO, CEG, and BKH, showing historical dividends prior to the most recent ones declared.
Southern Company (Symbol: SO):
Constellation Energy Corp (Symbol: CEG):
Black Hills Corporation (Symbol: BKH):
In general, dividends are not always predictable, following the ups and downs of company profits over time. Therefore, a good first due diligence step in forming an expectation of annual yield going forward, is looking at the history above, for a sense of stability over time. This can help in judging whether the most recent dividends from these companies are likely to continue. If they do continue, the current estimated yields on annualized basis would be 3.12% for Southern Company, 0.47% for Constellation Energy Corp, and 4.40% for Black Hills Corporation.
In Thursday trading, Southern Company shares are currently up about 0.9%, Constellation Energy Corp shares are off about 3.2%, and Black Hills Corporation shares are up about 0.8% on the day.
Also see:
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Ex-Dividend Reminder: Southern, Constellation Energy Black Hills

Looking today at week-over-week shares outstanding changes among the universe of ETFs covered at ETF Channel, one standout is the The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (Symbol: XLU) where we have detected an approximate $376.1 million dollar inflow -- that's a 1.8% increase week over week in outstanding units (from 244,824,160 to 249,174,160). Among the largest underlying components of XLU, in trading today NextEra Energy Inc (Symbol: NEE) is down about 0.8%, Constellation Energy Corp (Symbol: CEG) is up about 1.3%, and Southern Company (Symbol: SO) is lower by about 0.3%. For a complete list of holdings, visit the XLU Holdings page » The chart below shows the one year price performance of XLU, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, XLU's low point in its 52 week range is $71.02 per share, with $87.665 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $86.23. Comparing the most recent share price to the 200 day moving average can also be a useful technical analysis technique -- learn more about the 200 day moving average ».
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) trade just like stocks, but instead of ''shares'' investors are actually buying and selling ''units''. These ''units'' can be traded back and forth just like stocks, but can also be created or destroyed to accommodate investor demand. Each week we monitor the week-over-week change in shares outstanding data, to keep a lookout for those ETFs experiencing notable inflows (many new units created) or outflows (many old units destroyed). Creation of new units will mean the underlying holdings of the ETF need to be purchased, while destruction of units involves selling underlying holdings, so large flows can also impact the individual components held within ETFs.
ITW Historical Stock Prices
Institutional Holders of GOOS
Top Ten Hedge Funds Holding RAAC
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Noteworthy ETF Inflows: XLU, NEE, CEG, SO

Data is currently not available
Edit My Quotes
Add up to 25 symbols
To add symbols:
Type a symbol or company name. When the symbol you want to add appears, add it to My Quotes by selecting it and pressing Enter/Return.
Copy and paste multiple symbols separated by spaces.
These symbols will be available throughout the site during your session.
Data is currently not available
Edit My European Quotes
Add up to 25 instruments
To add instruments:
Type a instrument or company name. When the instrument you want to add appears, add it to My European Quotes by selecting it and pressing Enter/Return.
Copy and paste multiple instruments separated by spaces.
These instruments will be available throughout the site during your session.
Data is currently not available
Your symbols have been updated
You'll now be able to see real-time price and activity for your symbols on the My Quotes of Nasdaq.com.
Data is currently not available
Edit Watchlist
Add up to 20 symbols
To add symbols:
Type a symbol or company name. When the symbol you want to add appears, add it to Watchlist by selecting it and pressing Enter/Return.
Copy and paste multiple symbols separated by spaces.
These symbols will be available throughout the site during your session.
Data is currently not available
Opt in to Smart Portfolio
We are currently experiencing technical difficulties, please try again.
Smart Portfolio is supported by our partner TipRanks. By connecting my portfolio to TipRanks Smart Portfolio I agree to their Terms of Use.

Southern (SO) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Transcript

The Zacks Utility – Electric Power industry presents an attractive investment opportunity, driven by stable cash flows and the predictability of regulated business models. Most domestic utilities operate under long-term power purchase agreements, insulating them from economic fluctuations. Growing electricity demand, coupled with consistent capital investments, is boosting operational efficiency, enabling these companies to generate reliable earnings and sustain steady dividend payouts.
The industry is also undergoing a significant transformation as it shifts toward cleaner energy sources. Many utility companies are ramping up investments in renewable infrastructure, such as solar, wind, battery storage and modernized grids. As the global focus intensifies on decarbonization, utilities that proactively embrace renewable and low-carbon technologies are poised to gain from lower fuel cost volatility and access to a broader market, strengthening their attractiveness to both institutional and retail investors. Amid such a backdrop, let’s compare NextEra Energy NEE and The Southern Company SO. These prominent U.S. electric utilities are actively investing in renewable energy, making them pivotal players in the shift toward cleaner power generation.
NextEra Energy’s clean energy investment and robust growth potential make it a strong operator in the utility space. Its regulated utility arm, Florida Power & Light — the largest in the United States — delivers reliable cash flows through a steady, rate-regulated framework. Meanwhile, its unregulated subsidiary, NextEra Energy Resources, leads the world in wind and solar energy generation, fueling sustained growth through an expanding portfolio of renewable projects and battery storage solutions. With a clear strategic commitment to decarbonization, disciplined capital deployment, and strong ESG performance, NextEra is well-positioned to thrive as the energy sector continues to evolve toward a cleaner future.
The Southern Company provides dependable long-term value through its regulated utility operations and forward-looking clean energy investments. Backed by a diverse power generation portfolio, a broad customer base and a supportive regulatory framework, the company consistently delivers stable earnings and steady dividend growth. Its proactive approach to decarbonization, highlighted by investments in nuclear energy and the integration of renewables, positions it strongly to navigate and benefit from the ongoing energy transition.
Given that both companies are prominent players in the utility industry, it’s worthwhile to take a closer look at their fundamentals. A detailed comparison will help determine which stock offers a more attractive investment opportunity for investors.
NEE & SO’s Earnings Growth Projections
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NextEra Energy’s earnings per share in 2025 and 2026 has remained the same in the past 60 days. Long-term (three to five years) earnings growth per share is pegged at 7.89%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for The Southern Company’s earnings per share in 2025 has remained the same in the past 60 days. The estimate for 2026 earnings per share has moved up by 0.44% in the same period. Long-term earnings growth per share is pegged at 6.77%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
NEE & SO’s Dividend Yield
Dividends are regular payments made by a company to its shareholders and represent a direct way for investors to earn a return on their investment. They are an important indicator of a company’s financial health and stability, often signaling strong cash flow and consistent earnings. Utilities are known for regular dividend payments to their shareholders.
Currently, the dividend yield for NextEra Energy is 3.15%, while the same for The Southern Company is 3.10%.
Return on Equity (ROE)
ROE is an essential financial indicator that evaluates a company’s efficiency in generating profits from the equity invested by its shareholders. It demonstrates how well management is utilizing the capital provided to increase earnings and deliver value. NEE’s current ROE is 12.31% compared with SO’s ROE of 12.7%. Both companies outperform the industry’s ROE of 10.16%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
NEE & SO’s Capital Investment
NextEra Energy plans over $74B in capital investment through 2029 to expand clean energy capacity.
The Southern Company plans to invest $63 billion in capital expenditures from 2025 through 2029 to strengthen its operations.
Debt to Capital
The Zacks Utilities sector is a capital-intensive one, and huge investments are required at regular intervals to upgrade, maintain and expand operations. The usage of new evolving technology also requires investments. Therefore, utilities borrow from the market and add it to their internal cash generation to fund their long-term investments.
NEE’s debt-to-capital currently stands at 57.61% compared with SO’s debt-to-capital of 62.84%. Both companies are using higher debt to fund their business, as the industry’s debt-to-capital stands at 54.08%.
Valuation
NextEra Energy currently appears to be trading at a discount compared with The Southern Company on a Price/Earnings Forward 12-month basis. (P/E- F12M).
NEE is currently trading at 18.69X, while SO is trading at 21.44X compared with the industry’s 14.84X.
The Southern Company’s shares have gained 14.2% in the past six months compared with NextEra Energy’s rally of 1.9% and the industry’s return of 10.9%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Conclusion
NextEra Energy and The Southern Company are strategically investing in their infrastructure to serve customers more efficiently and reliably.
Based on the above discussion, The Southern Company currently has a marginal edge over NEE, despite the stocks carrying a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) each. SO’s positive movement in earnings estimates, higher ROE, and better price performance make it a better choice in the utility space.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
5 Stocks Set to Double
Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the months ahead. They include
Stock #1: A Disruptive Force with Notable Growth and Resilience
Stock #2: Bullish Signs Signaling to Buy the Dip
Stock #3: One of the Most Compelling Investments in the Market
Stock #4: Leader In a Red-Hot Industry Poised for Growth
Stock #5: Modern Omni-Channel Platform Coiled to Spring
Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +171%, +209% and +232%.
Download Atomic Opportunity: Nuclear Energy's Comeback free today.
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

NEE or SO: Which Utility Stock Deserves a Spot in Your Portfolio?

At Holdings Channel, we have reviewed the latest batch of the 25 most recent 13F filings for the 06/30/2025 reporting period, and noticed that Southern Company (Symbol: SO) was held by 11 of these funds. When hedge fund managers appear to be thinking alike, we find it is a good idea to take a closer look.
Before we proceed, it is important to point out that 13F filings do not tell the whole story, because these funds are only required to disclose their long positions with the SEC, but are not required to disclose their short positions. A fund making a bearish bet against a stock by shorting calls, for example, might also be long some amount of stock as they trade around their overall bearish position. This long component could show up in a 13F filing and everyone might assume the fund is bullish, but this tells only part of the story because the bearish/short side of the position is not seen.
Having given that caveat, we believe that looking at groups of 13F filings can be revealing, especially when comparing one holding period to another. Below, let's take a look at the change in SO positions, for this latest batch of 13F filers:
In terms of shares owned, we count 7 of the above funds having increased existing SO positions from 03/31/2025 to 06/30/2025, with 3 having decreased their positions.
Looking beyond these particular funds in this one batch of most recent filers, we tallied up the SO share count in the aggregate among all of the funds which held SO at the 06/30/2025 reporting period (out of the 2,222 we looked at in total). We then compared that number to the sum total of SO shares those same funds held back at the 03/31/2025 period, to see how the aggregate share count held by hedge funds has moved for SO. We found that between these two periods, funds increased their holdings by 1,024,119 shares in the aggregate, from 21,205,967 up to 22,230,086 for a share count increase of approximately 4.83%. The overall top three funds holding SO on 06/30/2025 were:
We'll keep following the latest 13F filings by hedge fund managers and bring you interesting stories derived from a look at the aggregate information across groups of managers between filing periods. While looking at individual 13F filings can sometimes be misleading due to the long-only nature of the information, the sum total across groups of funds from one reporting period to another can be a lot more revealing and relevant, providing interesting stock ideas that merit further research, like Southern Company (Symbol: SO).
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

See Which Of The Latest 13F Filers Holds SO

Southern Co. (SO) ended the recent trading session at $95.85, demonstrating a +1.12% change from the preceding day's closing price. The stock exceeded the S&P 500, which registered a gain of 0.06% for the day. On the other hand, the Dow registered a gain of 0.41%, and the technology-centric Nasdaq decreased by 0.39%.
Heading into today, shares of the power company had gained 4.54% over the past month, outpacing the Utilities sector's gain of 1.55% and lagging the S&P 500's gain of 5.88%.
The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of Southern Co. in its upcoming release. The company is slated to reveal its earnings on July 31, 2025. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $0.98, signifying a 10.09% drop compared to the same quarter of the previous year. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $6.77 billion, up 4.8% from the prior-year quarter.
Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $4.28 per share and revenue of $28.46 billion. These totals would mark changes of +5.68% and +6.51%, respectively, from last year.
Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Southern Co. should also be noted by investors. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook.
Our research demonstrates that these adjustments in estimates directly associate with imminent stock price performance. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, which ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection has moved 0.02% lower. Southern Co. is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
In terms of valuation, Southern Co. is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 22.17. This indicates a premium in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 18.52.
Investors should also note that SO has a PEG ratio of 3.28 right now. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. Utility - Electric Power stocks are, on average, holding a PEG ratio of 2.67 based on yesterday's closing prices.
The Utility - Electric Power industry is part of the Utilities sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 81, putting it in the top 33% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.
Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"
Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.
This top pick is a little-known satellite-based communications firm. Space is projected to become a trillion dollar industry, and this company's customer base is growing fast. Analysts have forecasted a major revenue breakout in 2025. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.
Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Southern Co. (SO) Exceeds Market Returns: Some Facts to Consider

Looking today at week-over-week shares outstanding changes among the universe of ETFs covered at ETF Channel, one standout is the The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (Symbol: XLU) where we have detected an approximate $209.4 million dollar inflow -- that's a 1.0% increase week over week in outstanding units (from 239,674,160 to 242,174,160). Among the largest underlying components of XLU, in trading today NextEra Energy Inc (Symbol: NEE) is up about 0.8%, Southern Company (Symbol: SO) is up about 0.6%, and Constellation Energy Corp (Symbol: CEG) is higher by about 0.2%. For a complete list of holdings, visit the XLU Holdings page » The chart below shows the one year price performance of XLU, versus its 200 day moving average:
Looking at the chart above, XLU's low point in its 52 week range is $70.18 per share, with $84.29 as the 52 week high point — that compares with a last trade of $84.21. Comparing the most recent share price to the 200 day moving average can also be a useful technical analysis technique -- learn more about the 200 day moving average ».
Exchange traded funds (ETFs) trade just like stocks, but instead of ''shares'' investors are actually buying and selling ''units''. These ''units'' can be traded back and forth just like stocks, but can also be created or destroyed to accommodate investor demand. Each week we monitor the week-over-week change in shares outstanding data, to keep a lookout for those ETFs experiencing notable inflows (many new units created) or outflows (many old units destroyed). Creation of new units will mean the underlying holdings of the ETF need to be purchased, while destruction of units involves selling underlying holdings, so large flows can also impact the individual components held within ETFs.
Top Stocks Held By David Einhorn
TEAF Dividend History
SUSA shares outstanding history
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

Southern Company (The)

Price history and volume

Shares 360

Investment risk — medium

Investment potential — medium

AI Factors

Natural Gas

US Presidential Election

Iran vs US war

US Presidental Election

stagflation

Clean Energy Regulation

Oil Prices

Red Sea Shipping Attacks

Fusion Energy

Steel Prices

Energy Storage

Labor Costs

Ukraine War

Security parameters