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SO vs WEC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Southern Company (SO) vs. WEC Energy Group (WEC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both SO and WEC delivered strong Q1 2026 earnings beats, fueled by surging data center demand in the utilities sector.
- SO reports a market cap of $108B with 3.17% dividend yield and YTD return of 10.84%, trading near the upper end of its 52-week range (83.09-100.84).
- WEC has a $37.5B market cap, 3.31% yield, and similar YTD gain of 10.18%, with a $37.5B capital plan through 2030 targeting growth.
- Recent momentum shows comparable stability, with both stocks offering defensive exposure amid market volatility, though WEC edges in analyst price targets (avg. $125 vs. $102 for SO).
- Trailing P/E ratios are closely matched at 24.5 for SO and 23.1 for WEC, reflecting balanced valuations in the sector.
Introduction
This stock comparison examines SO and WEC, two leading U.S. utilities providing electricity and natural gas services. Both operate in the regulated utilities sector, benefiting from stable demand and rising power needs from data centers and electrification trends. Investors seeking dividend income, defensive positioning, or exposure to infrastructure growth will find this analysis relevant for evaluating relative performance, recent catalysts, and market positioning in the current environment of interest rate sensitivity and sector tailwinds.
SO Overview and Recent Performance
The Southern Company (SO), headquartered in Atlanta, is a major investor-owned utility serving 9 million customers across seven southeastern states through subsidiaries like Georgia Power and Alabama Power. It focuses on electric generation, transmission, and distribution, with a growing emphasis on renewables and nuclear via Vogtle Units 3 and 4.
In recent market activity, SO has traded around $96, near the high of its 52-week range of 83.09-100.84, reflecting resilience amid broader market swings. The stock posted a YTD return of 10.84% and 8.78% over one year. Sentiment has been bolstered by Q1 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.32, beating estimates by $0.12, driven by a 42% surge in data center electricity usage and 2.3% retail sales growth. These factors, alongside consistent dividends, have supported steady performance despite rate pressures.
WEC Overview and Recent Performance
WEC Energy Group (WEC), based in Milwaukee, serves 4.4 million customers in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Minnesota via subsidiaries like We Energies. It provides electricity, natural gas, and related services, with investments in clean energy and grid modernization.
Recent weeks have seen WEC around $115, within its 52-week range of 100.61-119.62, with YTD and one-year returns of 10.18% and 9.58%. Strong Q1 2026 EPS of $2.45 exceeded forecasts, underpinned by higher sales across segments and reaffirmed 2026 guidance. A $37.5 billion capital plan through 2030, targeting data centers and transmission, has enhanced outlook, though valuation scrutiny persists relative to peers. Stable weather-normalized demand has influenced positive sentiment.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
SO and WEC share regulated utility models centered on electric and gas delivery, with growth from data centers and renewables. SO's larger scale ($108B market cap vs. $37.5B) provides broader southeastern exposure, while WEC emphasizes Midwest opportunities, including a robust $37.5B capex plan.
Recent momentum is similar, with YTD returns near 10.5% and comparable P/E ratios (24.5 vs. 23.1), though WEC offers a slightly higher yield (3.31% vs. 3.17%). Risk factors include interest rate sensitivity (low betas ~0.36 for SO) and regulatory approvals, but SO edges in ROE (11% vs. 11.7% for WEC). Sector tailwinds favor both, yet WEC's higher analyst targets signal stronger sentiment upside.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently leans toward WEC based on trend consistency from its capital-intensive growth plan, recent earnings momentum, and elevated analyst targets indicating better relative positioning. While SO offers scale advantages, WEC's catalysts suggest higher probability of outperformance in the near term amid utilities' defensive appeal.
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. 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 SO is a Hold and WEC 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).
SO’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileWEC’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- SO’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- WEC’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 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.
SO’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while WEC’s TA Score has 2 bullish TA indicator(s).
- SO’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- WEC’s TA Score: 2 bullish, 7 bearish.
Price Growth
SO (@Electric Utilities) experienced а -3.01% price change this week, while WEC (@Electric Utilities) price change was -3.15% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electric Utilities industry was -0.64%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -1.82%, and the average quarterly price growth was +4.29%.
Reported Earning Dates
SO is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
WEC is expected to report earnings on Jul 29, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electric Utilities (-0.64% 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.
| SO | WEC | SO / WEC | |
| Capitalization | 105B | 36.7B | 286% |
| EBITDA | 14.5B | 4.15B | 350% |
| Gain YTD | 7.605 | 7.832 | 97% |
| P/E Ratio | 23.81 | 22.60 | 105% |
| Revenue | 30.2B | 10.1B | 299% |
| Total Cash | 981M | 45.6M | 2,151% |
| Total Debt | 76B | 22.3B | 341% |
SO | WEC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 58 | 55 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 63 Fair valued | 60 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 18 | 39 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 63 | 64 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 58 | 58 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 35 | 38 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 65 |
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.
WEC's Valuation (60) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as SO (63). This means that WEC’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 WEC (39). This means that SO’s stock grew similarly to WEC’s over the last 12 months.
SO's SMR Rating (63) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as WEC (64). This means that SO’s stock grew similarly to WEC’s over the last 12 months.
SO's Price Growth Rating (58) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as WEC (58). This means that SO’s stock grew similarly to WEC’s over the last 12 months.
SO's P/E Growth Rating (35) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as WEC (38). This means that SO’s stock grew similarly to WEC’s over the last 12 months.
| SO | WEC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 58% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 38% | 2 days ago 41% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 48% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 39% | 2 days ago 42% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 33% | 2 days ago 37% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 12 days ago 51% | 15 days ago 47% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 41% | 5 days ago 42% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 65% | 2 days ago 31% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 25% |
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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 83% 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.
WEC and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, WEC has been closely correlated with AEE. These tickers have moved in lockstep 84% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if WEC jumps, then AEE could also see price increases.