DTE vs SO: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of September 2026, SO (The Southern Company) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 5 of 8 head-to-head metrics. DTE offers the higher yield at 3.63%, SO has the higher dividend-safety score, and SO trades at the larger discount to fair value (+13%).
| Metric | DTE | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 3.63% | 3.55% |
| Annual dividend | $4.66 | $3.04 |
| Payout ratio | 73% | 72% |
| Years of growth | 16 yr | 25 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 4.8% | 3.0% |
| 5-yr total return | 13% | 37% |
| Dividend safety score | 82 (A) | 90 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $137.75 | $96.70 |
| Upside to fair value | +7% | +13% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $26.7B | $98.4B |
| P/E ratio | 20.3 | 20.6 |
Higher yield
DTE
3.63%
Safer dividend
SO
Grade A
Faster growth
DTE
4.8%
Better value
SO
+13% upside
DTE vs SO — FAQ
Related comparisons
See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.