EMA vs SO: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of September 2026, SO (The Southern Company) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 7 of 8 head-to-head metrics. EMA offers the higher yield at 4.29%, SO has the higher dividend-safety score, and SO trades at the larger discount to fair value (+13%).
| Metric | EMA | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 4.29% | 3.55% |
| Annual dividend | $2.11 | $3.04 |
| Payout ratio | 93% | 72% |
| Years of growth | 0 yr | 25 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 2.3% | 3.0% |
| 5-yr total return | 6% | 37% |
| Dividend safety score | 54 (C) | 90 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $29.32 | $96.70 |
| Upside to fair value | -41% | +13% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $15.1B | $98.4B |
| P/E ratio | 21.9 | 20.6 |
Higher yield
EMA
4.29%
Safer dividend
SO
Grade A
Faster growth
SO
3.0%
Better value
SO
+13% upside
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