DUK vs SO: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 22, 2026, DUK and SO are closely matched. DUK offers the higher yield at 3.60%, DUK has the higher dividend-safety score, and SO looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 2% above its share price).
Key facts: DUK vs SO
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 22, 2026, Duke Energy Corporation (DUK) has the higher forward dividend yield at 3.60%, versus 3.36% for The Southern Company (SO).
- As of Oct 22, 2026, SmarterDividends grades DUK's dividend safety A (92/100) and SO's A (90/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 22, 2026, DUK has raised its dividend for 21 consecutive years and SO for 25.
- As of Oct 22, 2026, DUK pays out 64% of its earnings as dividends and SO pays out 72%.
- As of Oct 22, 2026, DUK's fair-value estimate is 1% below its share price and SO's fair-value estimate is 2% above its share price, so SO looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "DUK vs SO: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 22, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/duk-vs-so
| Metric | DUK | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 3.60% | 3.36% |
| Annual dividend | $4.34 | $3.04 |
| Payout ratio | 64% | 72% |
| Years of growth | 21 yr | 25 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 2.0% | 3.0% |
| 5-yr total return | 25% | 49% |
| Dividend safety score | 92 (A) | 90 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $119.84 | $91.87 |
| Upside to fair value | -1% | +2% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $94.1B | $104.0B |
| P/E ratio | 18.2 | 21.8 |
Higher yield
DUK
3.60%
Safer dividend
DUK
Grade A
Faster growth
SO
3.0%
Better value
SO
+2% upside
DUK vs SO — FAQ
Is DUK or SO a better dividend stock?
DUK and SO are closely matched. DUK has the higher yield; DUK scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, DUK or SO?
DUK has the higher forward dividend yield at 3.60%, versus 3.36% for SO.
Is DUK or SO safer?
DUK has the higher dividend-safety score (92/100 vs 90/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is DUK or SO better value right now?
As of Oct 22, 2026, SO looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 2% above its share price (fairly valued). For DUK, its fair-value estimate is 1% below its share price.
See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.