NEXTERA ENERGY INC vs SOUTHERN CO, two Utilities stocks. A side-by-side on valuation, growth, margins, returns, and what each price is betting.
NextEra Energy pairs a regulated Florida electric utility with the country's largest renewables development arm, so part of it earns an approved return and part builds wind and solar for sale. Southern Company is a straightforward regulated electric utility. NextEra is much larger, 184.7 billion against 109.4, and posts a far wider net margin, 29.37 percent to 14.46, along with a positive 6.68 percent free cash yield where Southern ran negative 3.17. NextEra earns more on equity too, 12.28 percent to 10.93, and trades slightly cheaper, 22.4 times earnings against 24.81. Southern offsets with the higher dividend, 3.03 percent versus 2.57. On book value they are nearly identical, 2.77 and 2.74.
Comparison updated 2026-07-11.
| Metric | NEE | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $87.96 | $95.61 |
| Market cap | $184.0B | $107.8B |
| Sector | Utilities | Utilities |
| Stage | Mature | Growth |
| Implied growth (priced in) | +12.7% | — |
| P/E | 22.3 | 24.4 |
| P/B | 2.76 | 2.70 |
| P/S | 6.60 | 3.57 |
| EV/EBITDA | 29.3 | 14.9 |
| Revenue growth | +10.9% | +8.6% |
| Operating margin | 33.0% | 24.0% |
| Net margin | 29.4% | 14.5% |
| Return on equity | 12.3% | 10.9% |
| Return on assets | 3.7% | 2.8% |
| Return on invested capital | 3.9% | 15.0% |
| FCF yield | 6.7% | -3.2% |
| Dividend yield | 2.6% | 3.1% |
| Debt / equity | 1.49 | 0.04 |
| Current ratio | 0.54 | 0.65 |
| Altman Z (solvency) | 1.04 | 0.75 |
| Piotroski F (quality) | 5 / 9 | 6 / 9 |
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The stronger value is highlighted per metric where one is strictly better on that single number; it is not an overall verdict on either company. For informational and research purposes only. Not investment advice. Not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. boothcheck is not a registered investment adviser. Past performance does not guarantee future results.