ES vs SO: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of July 2026, ES (Eversource Energy) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 5 of 7 head-to-head metrics. ES offers the higher yield at 4.22%, SO has the higher dividend-safety score, and ES trades at the larger discount to fair value (+10%).
| Metric | ES | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 4.22% | 3.19% |
| Annual dividend | $3.15 | $3.04 |
| Payout ratio | 65% | 76% |
| Years of growth | 25 yr | 25 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 5.8% | 3.0% |
| 5-yr total return | -18% | 45% |
| Dividend safety score | 86 (A) | 90 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $81.81 | $93.61 |
| Upside to fair value | +10% | -2% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $27.8B | $106.5B |
| P/E ratio | 16.0 | 24.4 |
Higher yield
ES
4.22%
Safer dividend
SO
Grade A
Faster growth
ES
5.8%
Better value
ES
+10% upside
ES vs SO — FAQ
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