SO vs SRE: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Nov 5, 2026, SO (The Southern Company) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 7 of 8 head-to-head metrics. SO offers the higher yield at 3.26%, SO has the higher dividend-safety score, and SO looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 3% below its share price).
Key facts: SO vs SRE
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, The Southern Company (SO) has the higher forward dividend yield at 3.26%, versus 3.17% for Sempra (SRE).
- As of Nov 5, 2026, SmarterDividends grades SO's dividend safety A (90/100) and SRE's A (88/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Nov 5, 2026, SO has raised its dividend for 25 consecutive years and SRE for 15.
- As of Nov 5, 2026, SO pays out 72% of its earnings as dividends and SRE pays out 75%.
- As of Nov 5, 2026, SO's fair-value estimate is 3% below its share price and SRE's fair-value estimate is 6% below its share price, so SO looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "SO vs SRE: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/so-vs-sre
| Metric | SO | SRE |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 3.26% | 3.17% |
| Annual dividend | $3.04 | $2.63 |
| Payout ratio | 72% | 75% |
| Years of growth | 25 yr | 15 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 3.0% | 4.3% |
| 5-yr total return | 53% | 44% |
| Dividend safety score | 90 (A) | 88 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $91.57 | $74.68 |
| Upside to fair value | -3% | -6% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $108.5B | $52.2B |
| P/E ratio | 22.7 | 23.1 |
Higher yield
SO
3.26%
Safer dividend
SO
Grade A
Faster growth
SRE
4.3%
Better value
SO
-3% upside
SO vs SRE — FAQ
Is SO or SRE a better dividend stock?
On the data, SO wins more head-to-head categories (7 vs 1). SO offers the higher yield (3.26%), 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, SO or SRE?
SO has the higher forward dividend yield at 3.26%, versus 3.17% for SRE.
Is SO or SRE safer?
SO has the higher dividend-safety score (90/100 vs 88/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is SO or SRE better value right now?
As of Nov 5, 2026, SO looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 3% below its share price (fairly valued). For SRE, its fair-value estimate is 6% below its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.