Utilities have moved to the center of investor attention as rising electricity demand from data centers, reshoring, and electrification reshapes a traditionally slow-growth sector. This stock comparison examines three regulated utilities with different footprints and growth profiles: Ameren Corporation, Alliant Energy Corporation, and The Southern Company. For income-oriented investors seeking stability, or growth-minded traders watching the data-center theme, understanding how AEE, LNT, and SO compare on momentum, valuation, and catalysts offers a useful framework for evaluating relative performance and market positioning.
Ameren Corporation (AEE) is a St. Louis-based utility holding company serving electric and natural gas customers in Missouri and Illinois through segments including Ameren Missouri, Ameren Illinois, and Ameren Transmission. Its investment thesis centers on infrastructure spending to improve reliability and capture large-load growth.
In recent quarters, Ameren has posted earnings per share (EPS) above consensus expectations, supported by rate-based infrastructure investment and a growing pipeline of data-center agreements. The company reported about 2.8 gigawatts of signed electric service agreements, with additional projects under study. Management has reaffirmed full-year 2026 EPS guidance in the range of $5.25 to $5.45 and outlined a capital plan exceeding $70 billion through 2035, implying a roughly 10% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in its rate base.
Despite this, AEE has shown softer recent price momentum, trading lower over the trailing 90 days even as analysts maintained largely constructive ratings. Warmer-than-normal winter weather weighed on sales, and higher operations and maintenance spending, including tree-trimming costs, has partially offset earnings growth. Financing needs remain a consideration, with the company planning equity issuance to fund its capital program.
Alliant Energy Corporation (LNT) is a Madison, Wisconsin-based utility serving more than one million electric and 435,000 natural gas customers across Iowa and Wisconsin through its two regulated subsidiaries, Interstate Power and Light and Wisconsin Power and Light.
Alliant has emphasized disciplined execution and data-center growth. It recently signed an additional electric service agreement in Iowa, bringing total contracted data-center demand to approximately 3.4 gigawatts across five agreements, and management projects significant peak-demand growth through the early 2030s. The company reaffirmed 2026 ongoing EPS guidance of $3.36 to $3.46 and targets long-term EPS growth of roughly 5% to 7% or better, backed by a four-year capital plan of about $13.4 billion.
On relative performance, LNT has been steadier than AEE in recent market activity, though it also faced mild-weather headwinds and higher financing costs. A credit-rating upgrade for its Iowa subsidiary has supported the balance-sheet narrative. Its forward valuation sits above Ameren's, reflecting investor confidence in its growth visibility.
The Southern Company (SO) is an Atlanta-based energy giant spanning regulated electric utilities in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, natural gas distribution through Nicor Gas and others, and wholesale power operations. It is the largest of the three by market capitalization and by load-growth exposure.
Southern has reported accelerating large-load momentum, with about 17 gigawatts of contracted demand across 31 projects and data-center usage rising sharply year over year. Weather-normalized retail electricity sales recently grew at their strongest first-half pace in nearly two decades. The company raised expectations to the top of its full-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance of $4.50 to $4.60 and secured significant low-cost financing, including agreements with the U.S. Department of Energy.
SO has shown relatively stronger recent momentum among the three, gaining in recent weeks even as the broader utilities sector lagged. It also carries the lowest beta, reflecting its scale and diversification. Investors continue to weigh its premium valuation and the execution risk of a very large capital program against its exceptional demand visibility.
For investors who prefer a systematic approach, Tickeron's Trending AI Robots page curates a selection of AI-driven trading bots from among the hundreds available on the platform. Tickeron offers hundreds of AI Trading Bots that collectively trade thousands of different tickers, but only the most suitable for current market conditions earn a place in this curated section. Each bot has its own trading style, strategy, timeframe, performance history, and set of tickers, ranging from short-term momentum systems to longer-horizon trend followers. Browsing the section can help traders see which automated strategies are currently aligning with names like these three utilities. Explore the Trending AI Robots page to review the latest performance and positioning.
While all three names are regulated utilities, their business models differ meaningfully. SO offers the greatest scale and the deepest large-load pipeline but also the largest capital commitment and a premium valuation. AEE pairs a lower price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple with a high rate-base growth target and a concentrated data-center opportunity, yet carries visible equity-financing needs and more variable recent momentum. LNT sits between the two on scale, with steadier relative performance, a higher valuation than Ameren, and a smaller but clearly defined data-center backlog.
On risk, all three face interest-rate sensitivity, regulatory review, and weather-driven volatility. SO's lower beta and geographic diversity provide relative defensiveness, while AEE and LNT carry more concentrated regulatory exposure in the Midwest. From a sentiment standpoint, analyst ratings are broadly constructive across the group, though price-target adjustments have recently trended lower for all three as the sector digested higher rates.
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, demand visibility, and relative positioning, a systematic, AI-driven framework would likely lean toward SO in the current environment. Southern combines the strongest large-load backlog, broadest geographic diversification, lower volatility, and more favorable recent relative momentum among the three. That said, the verdict is probabilistic rather than definitive: AEE offers a more attractive valuation and higher rate-base growth, while LNT provides steadier execution. Any AI selection would ultimately depend on the specific bot's timeframe and strategy, with trend followers more likely to favor SO's momentum and value-oriented systems potentially favoring AEE.
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The 10-day moving average for AEE crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 21, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 11 of 17 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 65%.
The Momentum Indicator moved above the 0 level on October 06, 2026. You may want to consider a long position or call options on AEE as a result. In 48 of 100 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 48%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for AEE just turned positive on October 06, 2026. Looking at past instances where AEE's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 25 of 48 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 52%.
AEE moved above its 50-day moving average on October 20, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend.
Following a +2.55% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where AEE advanced for three days, in 155 of 327 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 47%.
The 10-day RSI Indicator for AEE moved out of overbought territory on October 23, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 38 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 14 of the 38 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 37%.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 12 days. The longer the ticker stays in the overbought zone, the sooner a price pull-back is expected.
The 50-day moving average for AEE moved below the 200-day moving average on September 29, 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 AEE 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 38%.
AEE broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 22, 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 AEE 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.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 28 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 52, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 48 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. AEE’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
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 SMR rating for this company is 64 (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.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 65 (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 Valuation Rating of 78 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued 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 (2.185) is normal, around the industry mean (2.051). P/E Ratio (18.888) is within average values for comparable stocks, (14.783). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (2.457) is also within normal values, averaging (1.785). Dividend Yield (0.028) settles around the average of (0.052) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (3.248) is also within normal values, averaging (187.392).
LNT moved above its 50-day moving average on October 20, 2026 date and that indicates a change from a downward trend to an upward trend. In 36 of 57 similar past instances, the stock price increased further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 63%.
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 25 of 49 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 51%.
The 10-day moving average for LNT crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 21, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 11 of 18 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 61%.
Following a +2.97% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where LNT advanced for three days, in 169 of 330 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 51%.
The 10-day RSI Indicator for LNT moved out of overbought territory on October 23, 2026. This could be a bearish sign for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options. Tickeron's A.I.dvisor looked at 35 similar instances where the indicator moved out of overbought territory. In 18 of the 35 cases, the stock moved lower in the following days. This puts the odds of a move lower at 51%.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 13 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%.
LNT broke above its upper Bollinger Band on October 22, 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 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.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 29 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 52, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 35 (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 Price Growth Rating for this company is 48 (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 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 Valuation Rating of 66 (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 (2.399) is normal, around the industry mean (2.051). P/E Ratio (21.975) is within average values for comparable stocks, (14.783). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.946) is also within normal values, averaging (1.785). Dividend Yield (0.031) settles around the average of (0.052) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (3.868) is also within normal values, averaging (187.392).
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 66 (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.
The 10-day moving average for SO crossed bullishly above the 50-day moving average on October 19, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted higher and could be considered a buy signal. In 10 of 14 past instances when the 10-day crossed above the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 71%.
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 51 of 92 past instances where the momentum indicator moved above 0, the stock continued to climb. The odds of a continued upward trend are 55%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for SO just turned positive on October 02, 2026. Looking at past instances where SO's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 21 of 39 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 54%.
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%.
The RSI Indicator has been in the overbought zone for 1 day. Expect a price pull-back in the near future.
The Stochastic Oscillator demonstrated that the ticker has stayed in the overbought zone for 12 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 22, 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.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 13 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating low risk on high returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 52, placing this stock better than average.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 47 (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 56 (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 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.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 72 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued 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 (2.700) is normal, around the industry mean (2.051). P/E Ratio (22.276) is within average values for comparable stocks, (14.783). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.946) is also within normal values, averaging (1.785). Dividend Yield (0.033) settles around the average of (0.052) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (3.207) is also within normal values, averaging (187.392).
AEE | LNT | SO | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 42 | 36 | 40 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 78 Overvalued | 66 Overvalued | 72 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 28 | 29 | 13 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 64 | 66 | 62 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 48 | 48 | 47 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 65 | 35 | 56 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 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.
LNT's Valuation (66) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as SO (72) and is in the same range as AEE (78). This means that LNT's stock grew similarly to SO’s and similarly to AEE’s over the last 12 months.
SO's Profit vs Risk Rating (13) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as AEE (28) and is in the same range as LNT (29). This means that SO's stock grew similarly to AEE’s and 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 AEE (64) and is in the same range as LNT (66). This means that SO's stock grew similarly to AEE’s and similarly to LNT’s over the last 12 months.
SO's Price Growth Rating (47) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as AEE (48) and is in the same range as LNT (48). This means that SO's stock grew similarly to AEE’s and similarly to LNT’s over the last 12 months.
LNT's P/E Growth Rating (35) in the Electric Utilities industry is in the same range as SO (56) and is in the same range as AEE (65). This means that LNT's stock grew similarly to SO’s and similarly to AEE’s over the last 12 months.
| AEE | LNT | SO | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 37% | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 36% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 41% | 2 days ago 40% | 2 days ago 32% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 48% | 2 days ago 50% | 2 days ago 55% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 52% | 2 days ago 51% | 2 days ago 54% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 50% | 2 days ago 48% | 2 days ago 52% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 47% | 2 days ago 44% | 2 days ago 50% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 47% | 3 days ago 51% | 11 days ago 50% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | about 1 month ago 38% | about 1 month ago 45% | 27 days ago 40% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 31% | 2 days ago 46% | 2 days ago 35% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 47% | 2 days ago 44% | 2 days ago 32% |
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).
AEE’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green while LNT’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s), and SO’s FA Score reflects 1 green FA rating(s).
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.
AEE’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while LNT’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s), and SO’s TA Score reflects 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
AEE (@Electric Utilities) experienced а +1.85% price change this week, while LNT (@Electric Utilities) price change was +1.96% , and SO (@Electric Utilities) price fluctuated +1.88% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electric Utilities industry was -0.31%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +3.01%, and the average quarterly price growth was -9.79%.
AEE is expected to report earnings on Nov 05, 2026.
LNT is expected to report earnings on Oct 29, 2026.
SO is expected to report earnings on Nov 05, 2026.
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.
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, AEE has been closely correlated with WEC. These tickers have moved in lockstep 87% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if AEE jumps, then WEC could also see price increases.
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, SO has been closely correlated with DUK. These tickers have moved in lockstep 86% 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.