Southern (NYSE:SO) underwent analysis by 13 analysts in the last quarter, revealing a spectrum of viewpoints from bullish to bearish.
The following table summarizes their recent ratings, shedding light on the changing sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
| Bullish | Somewhat Bullish | Indifferent | Somewhat Bearish | Bearish | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Ratings | 1 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| Last 30D | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1M Ago | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2M Ago | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 3M Ago | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
Analysts have set 12-month price targets for Southern, revealing an average target of $95.46, a high estimate of $112.00, and a low estimate of $76.00. A decline of 2.28% from the prior average price target is evident in the current average.
Understanding Analyst Ratings: A Comprehensive Breakdown
The standing of Southern among financial experts becomes clear with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.
| Analyst | Analyst Firm | Action Taken | Rating | Current Price Target | Prior Price Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby Tucker | TD Cowen | Raises | Buy | $112.00 | $108.00 |
| Nicholas Amicucci | Evercore ISI Group | Raises | Outperform | $111.00 | $103.00 |
| Andrew Weisel | Scotiabank | Raises | Sector Perform | $103.00 | $101.00 |
| Shahriar Pourreza | Wells Fargo | Raises | Equal-Weight | $96.00 | $84.00 |
| Anthony Crowdell | Mizuho | Raises | Outperform | $104.00 | $89.00 |
| Shahriar Pourreza | Wells Fargo | Lowers | Underweight | $84.00 | $97.00 |
| Nicholas Campanella | Barclays | Lowers | Equal-Weight | $88.00 | $91.00 |
| Daniel Ford | UBS | Lowers | Neutral | $94.00 | $98.00 |
| Julien Dumoulin-Smith | Jefferies | Lowers | Neutral | $93.00 | $104.00 |
| Jeremy Tonet | JP Morgan | Lowers | Neutral | $93.00 | $104.00 |
| Stephen D'Ambrisi | RBC Capital | Lowers | Sector Perform | $99.00 | $107.00 |
| Sophie Karp | Keybanc | Lowers | Underweight | $76.00 | $87.00 |
| Anthony Crowdell | Mizuho | Lowers | Neutral | $88.00 | $97.00 |
Key Insights:
- Action Taken: Analysts adapt their recommendations to changing market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their response to recent developments related to Southern. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.
- Rating: Analyzing trends, analysts offer qualitative evaluations, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Southern compared to the broader market.
- Price Targets: Understanding forecasts, analysts offer estimates for Southern's future value. Examining the current and prior targets provides insight into analysts' changing expectations.
Navigating through these analyst evaluations alongside other financial indicators can contribute to a holistic understanding of Southern's market standing. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with our Ratings Table.
Stay up to date on Southern analyst ratings.
All You Need to Know About Southern
Southern is one of the largest utilities in the US. The company serves 9 million customers with vertically integrated electric utilities in three states and natural gas distribution utilities in four states. It owns 44 gigawatts of rate-regulated generating capacity, primarily for serving customers in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. Subsidiary Southern Power owns 13 gigawatts of natural gas generation and renewable energy across the US and sells the electricity primarily under long-term contracts.
Southern: Financial Performance Dissected
Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization surpasses industry averages, showcasing a dominant size relative to peers and suggesting a strong market position.
Revenue Growth: Southern's revenue growth over a period of 3M has been noteworthy. As of 30 September, 2025, the company achieved a revenue growth rate of approximately 7.55%. This indicates a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company surpassed expectations with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Utilities sector.
Net Margin: Southern's net margin surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 21.87% net margin, the company effectively manages costs and achieves strong profitability.
Return on Equity (ROE): Southern's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROE, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROE of 4.96%, the company showcases efficient use of equity capital and strong financial health.
Return on Assets (ROA): Southern's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROA, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROA of 1.13%, the company showcases efficient use of assets and strong financial health.
Debt Management: Southern's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average. With a ratio of 2.11, the company relies less on debt financing, maintaining a healthier balance between debt and equity, which can be viewed positively by investors.
The Basics of Analyst Ratings
Analysts work in banking and financial systems and typically specialize in reporting for stocks or defined sectors. Analysts may attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter.
Some analysts publish their predictions for metrics such as growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide additional guidance with their ratings. When using analyst ratings, it is important to keep in mind that stock and sector analysts are also human and are only offering their opinions to investors.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.
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