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LNT vs SO
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Alliant Energy (LNT) vs. Southern Company (SO) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both LNT and SO are regulated electric-and-gas utilities now positioned as direct beneficiaries of surging data-center power demand.
- SO is the far larger enterprise, with a diversified Southeastern footprint, a major nuclear fleet, and a longer track record of dividend growth.
- LNT offers a more concentrated Midwest profile with a faster guided earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate and roughly 3.4 gigawatts (GW) of contracted data-center load.
- Both stocks have pulled back in recent weeks despite firm earnings, reflecting broader utility-sector pressure from elevated interest rates.
- Valuation, dividend durability, and exposure to large-load customers are the key trade-offs separating the two names.
Introduction
Investors evaluating regulated utilities increasingly weigh the same question: which companies are best positioned to convert a historic surge in electricity demand into durable earnings growth? This stock comparison examines Alliant Energy (LNT) and Southern Company (SO), two established, dividend-paying utilities whose recent performance has been shaped by data-center contracting, capital spending, and interest-rate sensitivity. Both appeal to income-oriented investors seeking stability, yet they differ meaningfully in scale, geographic footprint, and growth trajectory. Understanding their relative performance and market positioning can help traders and longer-term investors assess which profile better fits their objectives in the current environment.
LNT Overview and Recent Performance
Alliant Energy (LNT) is a regulated utility holding company serving electric and natural gas customers primarily in Iowa and Wisconsin. Its growth narrative in recent quarters has centered on accelerating large-load demand: management has disclosed five executed data-center agreements representing approximately 3.4 GW of contracted load, including a new roughly 370-megawatt (MW) electric service agreement in Iowa. The company reaffirmed 2026 ongoing EPS guidance of $3.36–$3.46 and has signaled a compound annual earnings growth rate of roughly 7% or more for the 2027–2029 period.
On the fundamentals, first-quarter 2026 revenue rose to about $1.18 billion, while operating earnings came in line with consensus estimates. Recent market activity, however, has been choppy: the shares traded lower over the trailing three-month window even as the company advanced a roughly $13.4 billion multiyear capital plan and secured an S&P credit-rating upgrade for its Iowa utility. Elevated financing and depreciation costs, mild weather, and broad pressure on interest-sensitive equities have weighed on sentiment despite otherwise steady execution.
SO Overview and Recent Performance
Southern Company (SO) is one of the largest U.S. electric utilities, operating regulated subsidiaries including Georgia Power, Alabama Power, and Mississippi Power alongside a natural-gas distribution business. A defining asset is its substantial nuclear fleet, anchored by the newly completed Vogtle units in Georgia. In recent weeks, Georgia Power announced an agreement with Alphabet's Google to expand output at the Vogtle and Hatch nuclear plants through equipment upgrades, a structure that pairs a major technology customer with carbon-free baseload capacity.
Fundamentals have been firm: second-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS rose 22.8% year over year, and management guided full-year results toward the top of its $4.50–$4.60 range. Data-center usage climbed 55% in the quarter, with contracted large-load demand exceeding 17 GW and a prospective pipeline above 75 GW. Still, the stock has retreated in recent weeks as rising bond yields and capital-spending and equity-issuance concerns offset strong operational results. The board extended a streak of 79 consecutive years of paying a dividend equal to or greater than the prior year.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
The clearest contrast is scale and diversification. SO spans multiple Southeastern states with a generation mix that includes nuclear, natural gas, and renewables, while LNT concentrates on Iowa and Wisconsin, giving it a tighter regional and regulatory profile. SO also carries a meaningfully larger contracted large-load pipeline and a longer, more consistent dividend-growth record.
Growth dynamics cut the other way. LNT guides to a faster long-term EPS growth rate, reflecting its smaller base and concentrated data-center exposure, while SO offers more breadth but a somewhat richer valuation on forward price-to-earnings (P/E) metrics. Both face shared risk factors: interest-rate sensitivity, heavy capital expenditure requirements, and the possibility that large-load contracts ramp more slowly than expected. In terms of market sentiment, both have experienced recent pullbacks, though their longer-run total-return records remain positive.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors, Tickeron's AI would likely lean toward SO for its greater stability, broader diversification, nuclear capacity, and a stronger pipeline of confirmed catalysts, including the Google agreement and Department of Energy (DOE) financing. Its longer dividend track record and larger contracted-load backlog support trend consistency that algorithmic models tend to favor. That said, LNT holds a growth edge through its faster guided EPS expansion and concentrated data-center exposure, which could make it more responsive if the market shifts toward rewarding utility growth. The relative positioning remains close, and the favorable outcome depends heavily on how each company executes its capital plan in a rising-rate environment.
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 disclaimer.
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 LNT is a Hold and SO is a Hold.
LNT in upward trend: price may ascend as a result of having broken its lower Bollinger Band on September 23, 2026
LNT may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options. In 24 of 39 cases where LNT's price broke its lower Bollinger Band, its price rose further in the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 62%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Oscillator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where LNT's RSI Indicator exited the oversold zone, 13 of 22 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 59%.
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 06, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on LNT as a result. In 50 of 100 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 50%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for LNT just turned positive on October 02, 2026. Looking at past instances where LNT's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 26 of 50 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 52%.
LNT moved above its 50-day moving average on October 14, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +1.58% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where LNT advanced for three days, in 169 of 332 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 51%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 7 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
The 50-day moving average for LNT moved below the 200-day moving average on September 23, 2026. This could be a long-term bearish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where LNT declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 45%.
The Aroon Indicator for LNT entered a downward trend on October 12, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 38 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 55, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 40 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to consistent earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 46 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (2.177) is normal, around the industry mean (2.169). P/E Ratio (19.994) is within average values for comparable stocks, (35.749). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.946) is also within normal values, averaging (1.785). Dividend Yield (0.033) settles around the average of (0.037) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (3.868) is also within normal values, averaging (187.392).
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 56 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. LNT’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 67 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating slightly better than average sales and a considerably profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
SO's MACD Histogram just turned positive
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for SO turned positive on October 02, 2026. Looking at past instances where SO's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 25 of 40 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 62%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 06, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on SO as a result. In 57 of 94 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 61%.
SO moved above its 50-day moving average on October 13, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +2.69% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where SO advanced for three days, in 164 of 330 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 50%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator has been in the overbought zone for 2 days. Expect a price pull-back in the near future.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 6 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
The 50-day moving average for SO moved below the 200-day moving average on September 22, 2026. This could be a long-term bearish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where SO declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 40%.
SO broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 13, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is set to drop as the stock moves back below the upper band and toward the middle band. You may want to consider selling the stock or exploring put options.
The Aroon Indicator for SO entered a downward trend on October 08, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 17 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 55, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 40 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (2.394) is normal, around the industry mean (2.169). P/E Ratio (19.843) is within average values for comparable stocks, (35.749). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.946) is also within normal values, averaging (1.785). Dividend Yield (0.036) settles around the average of (0.037) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (3.207) is also within normal values, averaging (187.392).
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 55 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. SO’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 61 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 62 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
LNT | SO | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 25 | 31 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 46 Fair valued | 40 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 38 | 17 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 67 | 62 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 56 | 55 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 40 | 61 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 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.
SO's Valuation (40) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as LNT (46). This means that SO’s stock grew similarly to LNT’s over the last 12 months.
SO's Profit vs Risk Rating (17) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as LNT (38). This means that SO’s stock grew similarly to LNT’s over the last 12 months.
SO's SMR Rating (62) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as LNT (67). This means that SO’s stock grew similarly to LNT’s over the last 12 months.
SO's Price Growth Rating (55) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as LNT (56). This means that SO’s stock grew similarly to LNT’s over the last 12 months.
LNT's P/E Growth Rating (40) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as SO (61). This means that LNT’s stock grew similarly to SO’s over the last 12 months.
| LNT | SO | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 59% | 2 days ago 29% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 43% | 2 days ago 32% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 50% | 2 days ago 61% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 52% | 2 days ago 63% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 48% | 2 days ago 51% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 45% | 2 days ago 50% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 51% | 3 days ago 50% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 23 days ago 45% | 19 days ago 40% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 62% | 2 days ago 32% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 47% | 2 days ago 34% |
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 overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
LNT’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green while SO’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- LNT’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.
LNT’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while SO’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- LNT’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
- SO’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
LNT (@Electric Utilities) experienced а +2.44% price change this week, while SO (@Electric Utilities) price change was +3.52% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electric Utilities industry was +0.55%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -0.13%, and the average quarterly price growth was -11.13%.
Reported Earning Dates
LNT is expected to report earnings on Oct 29, 2026.
SO is expected to report earnings on Nov 05, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electric Utilities (+0.55% 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.
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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 85% 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.