SO vs D: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of July 2026, SO (The Southern Company) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 7 of 8 head-to-head metrics. D offers the higher yield at 3.76%, SO has the higher dividend-safety score, and SO trades at the larger discount to fair value (-2%).
| Metric | SO | D |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 3.19% | 3.76% |
| Annual dividend | $3.04 | $2.67 |
| Payout ratio | 76% | 79% |
| Years of growth | 25 yr | 0 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 3.0% | -5.0% |
| 5-yr total return | 45% | -9% |
| Dividend safety score | 90 (A) | 63 (C) |
| Fair value estimate | $93.61 | $66.87 |
| Upside to fair value | -2% | -6% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $106.5B | $61.9B |
| P/E ratio | 24.4 | 20.9 |
Higher yield
D
3.76%
Safer dividend
SO
Grade A
Faster growth
SO
3.0%
Better value
SO
-2% upside
SO vs D — FAQ
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