AES vs SO: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 27, 2026, SO (The Southern Company) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 5 of 8 head-to-head metrics. AES offers the higher yield at 4.68%, SO has the higher dividend-safety score, and SO looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 1% below its share price).
Key facts: AES vs SO
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 27, 2026, The AES Corporation (AES) has the higher forward dividend yield at 4.68%, versus 3.28% for The Southern Company (SO).
- As of Oct 27, 2026, SmarterDividends grades AES's dividend safety A (87/100) and SO's A (90/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 27, 2026, AES has raised its dividend for 12 consecutive years and SO for 25.
- As of Oct 27, 2026, AES pays out 26% of its earnings as dividends and SO pays out 72%.
- As of Oct 27, 2026, AES's fair-value estimate is 7% below its share price and SO's fair-value estimate is 1% below its share price, so SO looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "AES vs SO: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 27, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/aes-vs-so
| Metric | AES | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 4.68% | 3.28% |
| Annual dividend | $0.70 | $3.04 |
| Payout ratio | 26% | 72% |
| Years of growth | 12 yr | 25 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 4.2% | 3.0% |
| 5-yr total return | -36% | 52% |
| Dividend safety score | 87 (A) | 90 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $13.94 | $91.60 |
| Upside to fair value | -7% | -1% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $10.7B | $106.5B |
| P/E ratio | 5.6 | 22.3 |
Higher yield
AES
4.68%
Safer dividend
SO
Grade A
Faster growth
AES
4.2%
Better value
SO
-1% upside
AES vs SO — FAQ
Is AES or SO a better dividend stock?
On the data, SO wins more head-to-head categories (5 vs 3). AES offers the higher yield (4.68%), while SO has the stronger dividend-safety score. The right pick depends on whether you prioritise income, safety or value.
Which has a higher dividend yield, AES or SO?
AES has the higher forward dividend yield at 4.68%, versus 3.28% for SO.
Is AES or SO safer?
SO has the higher dividend-safety score (90/100 vs 87/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is AES or SO better value right now?
As of Oct 27, 2026, SO looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 1% below its share price (fairly valued). For AES, its fair-value estimate is 7% below its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.