ES vs SO: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Nov 5, 2026, ES (Eversource Energy) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 5 of 7 head-to-head metrics. ES offers the higher yield at 4.47%, SO has the higher dividend-safety score, and ES looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 5% above its share price).
Key facts: ES vs SO
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, Eversource Energy (ES) has the higher forward dividend yield at 4.47%, versus 3.26% for The Southern Company (SO).
- As of Nov 5, 2026, SmarterDividends grades ES's dividend safety A (82/100) and SO's A (90/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Nov 5, 2026, ES has raised its dividend for 25 consecutive years and SO for 25.
- As of Nov 5, 2026, ES pays out 65% of its earnings as dividends and SO pays out 72%.
- As of Nov 5, 2026, ES's fair-value estimate is 5% above its share price and SO's fair-value estimate is 3% below its share price, so ES looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "ES vs SO: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/es-vs-so
| Metric | ES | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 4.47% | 3.26% |
| Annual dividend | $3.15 | $3.04 |
| Payout ratio | 65% | 72% |
| Years of growth | 25 yr | 25 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 5.8% | 3.0% |
| 5-yr total return | -17% | 53% |
| Dividend safety score | 82 (A) | 90 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $75.12 | $91.57 |
| Upside to fair value | +5% | -3% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $27.0B | $108.5B |
| P/E ratio | 18.6 | 22.7 |
Higher yield
ES
4.47%
Safer dividend
SO
Grade A
Faster growth
ES
5.8%
Better value
ES
+5% upside
ES vs SO — FAQ
Is ES or SO a better dividend stock?
On the data, ES wins more head-to-head categories (5 vs 2). ES offers the higher yield (4.47%), 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, ES or SO?
ES has the higher forward dividend yield at 4.47%, versus 3.26% for SO.
Is ES or SO safer?
SO has the higher dividend-safety score (90/100 vs 82/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is ES or SO better value right now?
As of Nov 5, 2026, ES looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 5% above its share price (fairly valued). For SO, its fair-value estimate is 3% below its share price.
Related comparisons
See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.