AVA vs SO: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 27, 2026, AVA and SO are closely matched. AVA offers the higher yield at 5.28%, SO has the higher dividend-safety score, and AVA looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 9% above its share price).
Key facts: AVA vs SO
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 27, 2026, Avista Corporation (AVA) has the higher forward dividend yield at 5.28%, versus 3.28% for The Southern Company (SO).
- As of Oct 27, 2026, SmarterDividends grades AVA's dividend safety A (85/100) and SO's A (90/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 27, 2026, AVA has raised its dividend for 23 consecutive years and SO for 25.
- As of Oct 27, 2026, AVA pays out 71% of its earnings as dividends and SO pays out 72%.
- As of Oct 27, 2026, AVA's fair-value estimate is 9% above its share price and SO's fair-value estimate is 1% below its share price, so AVA looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "AVA vs SO: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 27, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/ava-vs-so
| Metric | AVA | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 5.28% | 3.28% |
| Annual dividend | $1.97 | $3.04 |
| Payout ratio | 71% | 72% |
| Years of growth | 23 yr | 25 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 3.9% | 3.0% |
| 5-yr total return | -2% | 52% |
| Dividend safety score | 85 (A) | 90 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $40.73 | $91.60 |
| Upside to fair value | +9% | -1% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $3.1B | $106.5B |
| P/E ratio | 13.4 | 22.3 |
Higher yield
AVA
5.28%
Safer dividend
SO
Grade A
Faster growth
AVA
3.9%
Better value
AVA
+9% upside
AVA vs SO — FAQ
Is AVA or SO a better dividend stock?
AVA and SO are closely matched. AVA has the higher yield; SO scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, AVA or SO?
AVA has the higher forward dividend yield at 5.28%, versus 3.28% for SO.
Is AVA or SO safer?
SO has the higher dividend-safety score (90/100 vs 85/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is AVA or SO better value right now?
As of Oct 27, 2026, AVA looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 9% above its share price (fairly valued). For SO, its fair-value estimate is 1% below its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.