SO vs SWX: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 24, 2026, SO (The Southern Company) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 5 of 8 head-to-head metrics. SO offers the higher yield at 3.27%, SWX has the higher dividend-safety score, and SWX looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 21% above its share price).
Key facts: SO vs SWX
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 24, 2026, The Southern Company (SO) has the higher forward dividend yield at 3.27%, versus 2.83% for Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. (SWX).
- As of Oct 24, 2026, SmarterDividends grades SO's dividend safety A (90/100) and SWX's A (93/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 24, 2026, SO has raised its dividend for 25 consecutive years and SWX for 0.
- As of Oct 24, 2026, SO pays out 72% of its earnings as dividends and SWX pays out 63%.
- As of Oct 24, 2026, SO's fair-value estimate is 2% below its share price and SWX's fair-value estimate is 21% above its share price, so SWX looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "SO vs SWX: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 24, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/so-vs-swx
| Metric | SO | SWX |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 3.27% | 2.83% |
| Annual dividend | $3.04 | $2.58 |
| Payout ratio | 72% | 63% |
| Years of growth | 25 yr | 0 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 3.0% | 1.9% |
| 5-yr total return | 52% | 39% |
| Dividend safety score | 90 (A) | 93 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $91.15 | $110.00 |
| Upside to fair value | -2% | +21% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $106.9B | $6.6B |
| P/E ratio | 22.6 | 22.8 |
Higher yield
SO
3.27%
Safer dividend
SWX
Grade A
Faster growth
SO
3.0%
Better value
SWX
+21% upside
SO vs SWX — FAQ
Is SO or SWX a better dividend stock?
On the data, SO wins more head-to-head categories (5 vs 3). SO offers the higher yield (3.27%), while SWX 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 SWX?
SO has the higher forward dividend yield at 3.27%, versus 2.83% for SWX.
Is SO or SWX safer?
SWX has the higher dividend-safety score (93/100 vs 90/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is SO or SWX better value right now?
As of Oct 24, 2026, SWX looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 21% above its share price (undervalued). For SO, its fair-value estimate is 2% below its share price.
Related comparisons
See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.