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On Thursday, Jefferies analysts upgraded Southern Co . (NYSE: SO) stock from Hold to Buy, citing strong growth prospects. The price target was adjusted to $100 from the previous $102. With a market capitalization of $97 billion and a P/E ratio of 21.1, InvestingPro analysis indicates the stock is currently trading above its Fair Value.
The analysts noted that Southern Co.’s potential wins in upcoming requests for proposals (RFPs) are set to unlock significant rate base growth compared to peers. Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Co., is expected to secure more than 70% of an 8.5 gigawatt opportunity, translating to approximately $12.9 billion in additional capital expenditures. The company’s strong financial position is reflected in its "Good" Financial Health score from InvestingPro, which considers multiple factors including growth, profitability, and cash flow metrics.
This anticipated growth is projected to drive Southern Co.’s earnings per share (EPS) growth to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2% through 2029, accelerating to 7.9% through 2035. The analysts highlighted that regulatory certainty has been achieved through a rate case settlement, and financing is already in progress, which mitigates execution risk.
The report emphasized that the expansion of earnings power post-2027 justifies the stock rating upgrade despite the current 15% premium.
In other recent news, Southern Company (NYSE:SO) has reported its first-quarter earnings for 2025, surpassing expectations with an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.23, exceeding the forecast of $1.19. The company also reported revenue of $7.78 billion, which was higher than the projected $7.31 billion. Investments in state-regulated utilities and weather-related impacts were key performance drivers. In addition to its earnings report, Southern Company has upsized its offering of convertible senior notes to $1.45 billion, with the proceeds primarily intended for repurchasing existing convertible notes and paying down commercial paper borrowings.
Scotiabank (TSX:BNS) analyst Andrew Weisel reaffirmed a Sector Outperform rating on Southern Company, citing the company’s consistent EPS growth and low risks due to favorable regulatory environments. Weisel also highlighted Southern Company’s strategic position to capitalize on the growth of data centers and domestic manufacturing. The analyst noted that despite soft demand trends in the first quarter, management’s reassuring tone suggested a positive outlook for the company.
Southern Company continues to focus on extending plant life and modernizing facilities, with significant investments proposed in its Georgia Power 2025 Integrated Resource Plan. The company maintains its long-term EPS growth target of 5-7%. Additionally, Southern Company has announced an 8¢ per share increase in its annual common dividend, marking its 24th consecutive annual increase.
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