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FE vs SO
Which Stock Would AI Choose? FirstEnergy Corp. (FE) vs. The Southern Company (SO) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- FirstEnergy Corp. (FE) reported Q1 2026 core earnings of $0.72 per share, matching estimates, with revenues up 10.5% year-over-year, driven by grid investments.
- The Southern Company (SO) beat Q1 estimates with adjusted EPS of $1.32, fueled by 42% data center power growth and 8% revenue increase.
- SO shows stronger YTD performance at around 11% versus FE's 3-6%, reflecting superior stability and market cap of $108B vs. $27B.
- Both offer attractive yields—FE at 4.05%, SO at 3.17%—with similar P/E ratios near 25.
- Recent momentum favors SO amid data center demand, while FE reaffirms 6-8% long-term earnings growth.
- Tickeron’s AI tools highlight utilities' role in AI-driven energy trends, aiding relative performance analysis.
Introduction
Both FE and SO are major players in the U.S. regulated electric utility sector, serving millions across multiple states with a focus on reliable power distribution and transmission. This comparison is particularly relevant for income-focused investors seeking defensive stocks with dividends and growth potential amid rising energy demands from data centers and electrification. Traders may appreciate insights into recent momentum and relative performance in a volatile market, where utilities offer stability compared to broader indices. Key metrics like earnings beats, guidance, and sector catalysts provide a balanced view of their stock positioning.
FE Overview and Recent Performance
FirstEnergy Corp. (FE), headquartered in Akron, Ohio, operates through segments including regulated distribution and transmission, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. The company manages extensive infrastructure with 252,959 distribution line miles and 24,157 transmission line miles.
In recent market activity, FE shares have shown resilience, trading around $45.88 with a YTD return of approximately 3.5% and 1-year gains near 11%. Q1 2026 core earnings hit $0.72 per share, up 7.5% year-over-year and in line with expectations, supported by $4.2 billion in revenues (up 10.5%) from customer-focused investments totaling nearly $1.4 billion. The company reaffirmed 2026 core EPS guidance of $2.62-$2.82 and a $36 billion capital plan through 2030 emphasizing grid modernization, reliability enhancements, and capacity expansion. Sentiment has been influenced positively by these updates, though tempered by rising costs and regulatory challenges in transmission approvals. Dividend of $0.465 per share (yield 4.05%) underscores commitment to shareholders.
SO Overview and Recent Performance
The Southern Company (SO), based in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of the largest U.S. utilities, providing electricity and natural gas primarily in the Southeast, including Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. It operates a diversified portfolio with significant nuclear and natural gas assets.
Recent weeks have seen SO shares around $95.90, with stronger YTD performance near 11% and 1-year returns around 9%. Q1 2026 adjusted EPS reached $1.32, surpassing estimates by 9%, driven by $8.4 billion in revenues (up 8% year-over-year), including robust natural gas segment growth. Data center demand surged 42%, boosting retail electricity sales by 2.3%. The company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.76 per share (yield 3.17%), marking continued payout growth. Market sentiment benefits from clean energy investments and load growth, though shares faced minor pressure from sector rate debates. Trading at a P/E of 24.5, SO reflects stability in a high-demand environment.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both FE and SO operate regulated utility models centered on electric transmission and distribution, but SO benefits from a larger scale ($108B market cap vs. $27B) and Southeast focus with natural gas diversification, while FE emphasizes Northeast/Mid-Atlantic grid upgrades.
Growth drivers differ: SO leverages explosive data center demand (42% rise), while FE pursues $36B capex for modernization. Recent momentum tilts to SO with superior YTD gains and EPS beats, versus FE's steadier but lower returns. Risk factors include regulatory hurdles for FE (e.g., PJM approvals) and cost pressures for both; SO offers better historical resilience (beta ~0.5 vs. 0.6). Sector exposure is similar in utilities, but SO edges in profitability (ROE ~12.5%). Market sentiment favors SO's stability amid AI energy trends, trading off FE's higher yield.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI would currently favor SO due to its trend consistency, with stronger YTD momentum, larger scale, and clear data center catalysts positioning it better for rising demand. SO's EPS outperformance and dividend hikes signal relative stability over FE, whose grid investments provide solid but less explosive growth. Probabilistic edge to SO in the near term based on observable factors.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full Disclaimers and Limitations.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is FE is a Hold and SO is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
FE’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green whileSO’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- FE’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- SO’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
FE’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while SO’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- FE’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
- SO’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
FE (@Electric Utilities) experienced а -1.55% price change this week, while SO (@Electric Utilities) price change was -2.53% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electric Utilities industry was -1.24%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -1.68%, and the average quarterly price growth was +3.99%.
Reported Earning Dates
FE is expected to report earnings on Aug 04, 2026.
SO is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electric Utilities (-1.24% weekly)Electric utilities companies generate, transmit and distribute electricity to businesses/offices and residences. Companies may be owned by the government or investors or public shareholders, or a combination thereof. The industry also includes firms that buy and sell electricity. Companies in this industry typically require significant investments in infrastructure. Many firms in this industry pay substantial and regular dividends to shareholders. However, changes in interest rates (and their impact on debt burdens), natural disasters and changing commodity prices could be factors affecting energy utilities’ profit margins. NextEra Energy, Inc., Duke Energy Corporation, Dominion Energy Inc. and Southern Company are among U.S. electric utilities companies with the largest market capitalizations.
| FE | SO | FE / SO | |
| Capitalization | 25.9B | 105B | 25% |
| EBITDA | 4.35B | 14.5B | 30% |
| Gain YTD | 1.861 | 8.032 | 23% |
| P/E Ratio | 24.30 | 23.91 | 102% |
| Revenue | 15.5B | 30.2B | 51% |
| Total Cash | 52M | 981M | 5% |
| Total Debt | 28.1B | 76B | 37% |
FE | SO | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 51 | 61 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 41 Fair valued | 63 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 38 | 18 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 75 | 63 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 61 | 55 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 39 | 35 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 65 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
FE's Valuation (41) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as SO (63). This means that FE’s stock grew similarly to SO’s over the last 12 months.
SO's Profit vs Risk Rating (18) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as FE (38). This means that SO’s stock grew similarly to FE’s over the last 12 months.
SO's SMR Rating (63) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as FE (75). This means that SO’s stock grew similarly to FE’s over the last 12 months.
SO's Price Growth Rating (55) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as FE (61). This means that SO’s stock grew similarly to FE’s over the last 12 months.
SO's P/E Growth Rating (35) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as FE (39). This means that SO’s stock grew similarly to FE’s over the last 12 months.
| FE | SO | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 48% | 1 day ago 65% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 55% | 1 day ago 57% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 51% | 1 day ago 37% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 45% | 1 day ago 47% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 37% | 1 day ago 39% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 37% | 1 day ago 33% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 48% | 1 day ago 51% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 34% | 6 days ago 41% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 62% | 1 day ago 59% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 35% | N/A |
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|---|---|---|---|
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| HDLB | 16.56 | 0.23 | +1.42% |
| ETRACS Mny Py 2xLgd US Hg Dv Lw Vl ETN B | |||
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| Innovator U.S. Equity Ultra BffrETF™-Jul | |||
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FE and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, FE has been closely correlated with EXC. These tickers have moved in lockstep 75% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if FE jumps, then EXC could also see price increases.
SO and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, SO has been closely correlated with DUK. These tickers have moved in lockstep 84% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if SO jumps, then DUK could also see price increases.