On the stock market since 1981, it operates in electricity, water and gas. It has 29,800 employees. Now — the numbers.
This is an established company with proven profits.
The biggest line carries real weight, but it doesn’t decide everything on its own.
The gap is $64.2B. In times of high interest rates, a gap like that can squeeze a company.
We compared this company with its own sector across five subjects.
A score of 50 means class average.
Profit indicators sit around the sector average.
Clearly below the class average.
Clearly below the class average.
There is growth, but not at top-of-the-class tempo.
The price is looking for direction — no strong breakout, no collapse.
Financial Strength: The cash-and-debt balance is thin; the buffer for hard times is slim.
Valuation: The stock trades at a price that looks expensive next to its earnings; that can cap future returns.
angles, checked one by one.
The 3 that stand out are on screen; the rest came back neutral.
The council scores out of 10; report-card grades are out of 100.
Revenue Growth: Sales are growing slowly.
The stock trades near its peak today. For long-term holders the ride has paid off so far — though past performance guarantees nothing about the future.
It pays out $2.98 per share each year — regular cash for whoever holds the stock.
Over the last 3 years, sales grew only 0% a year on average. At this size, speeding back up is not easy.
The balance sheet offers little cushion against a rough stretch. Report-card grade: 38/100.
Today’s price already includes part of tomorrow’s optimism. Report-card grade: 42/100.
On our five-subject report card, SO sits in the middle of the class: some subjects shine, others don’t. The grade moves as the numbers move.
The takeaway: SO is an established business that has proven its profits for years. The real debate isn’t the quality of the business — it’s whether the price paid for the stock is too high.