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Southern Company(SO) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-02-19 19:02
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $4.30 for 2025, which is the top of the guidance range and represents a 6% increase from the previous year and a 9% average annual growth from 2023 [5][6] - This marks the 11th consecutive year of achieving adjusted earnings results at or above the annual guidance range [6] - Weather-normalized total retail electricity sales increased by 1.7% compared to 2024, significantly higher than the cumulative growth seen over the last decade [7][8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Georgia Power saw a 2.5% increase in sales from 2024, with all customer classes showing growth, particularly commercial sales which increased by 17% year-over-year [8][9] - The company added 39,000 new residential electric customers and 25,000 new customers in natural gas distribution [8] - Industrial electricity sales grew by 1.4% in 2025, with gains in primary metals, lumber, paper, and transportation segments [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is experiencing robust economic development activity, with over 120 companies either locating new facilities or expanding operations in its service territories, expected to create over 21,000 new jobs [10][11] - The total large load pipeline has increased to over 75 GW, with 26 signed contracts representing 10 GW of fully contracted electric service agreements [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on sustainable growth through significant investments in energy infrastructure, with a capital investment forecast of $81 billion over the next five years, primarily at state-regulated utilities [25][26] - The strategy includes an "all-of-the-above" approach to energy sourcing, incorporating natural gas, battery energy storage, and other resources to meet growth opportunities [49][92] - The company aims to maintain a disciplined approach to pricing large load contracts, ensuring benefits for existing customers while capturing growth [22][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to achieve long-term growth, projecting adjusted EPS growth of 7%-9% from 2026 through 2028 [34][35] - The company anticipates retail electric sales to grow at least 3% in 2026, with an average annual growth of 10% projected from 2026 to 2030 [18] - Management highlighted the importance of regulatory frameworks that allow for flexible pricing and contract negotiations to support growth while ensuring rate stability for existing customers [22][24] Other Important Information - The company has a strong dividend track record, having increased dividends for 24 consecutive years, with projections for continued modest increases in the future [32] - The company is committed to maintaining strong investment-grade credit ratings and has proactively addressed $9 billion of equity needs [29][30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Future growth outlook beyond 2028 - Management indicated confidence in achieving growth targets based on current projects and economic expansion, with potential upside from Southern Power [45][46] Question: Impact of near-term contracts on current plans - Management confirmed that the near-term contracts are included in the current forecast and are expected to be signed imminently [55][56] Question: Data center growth and zoning issues - Management expressed confidence in the progress of data center projects across Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, despite ongoing conversations about regulations [62][63] Question: Opportunities for onsite or bridge power solutions - Management noted continued demand for temporary power solutions, indicating a strong market for bridge solutions [84] Question: Southern Power's recontracting opportunities - Management highlighted the potential for recontracting capacity at significantly higher rates, estimating future prices around $20-$25 per kilowatt month [92][94]
Southern Company(SO) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2026-02-19 19:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Southern Company reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $4.30 for 2025, marking a 6% increase from the previous year and 9% average annual growth from 2023, achieving the top of its guidance range for the 11th consecutive year [4][3] - The company has maintained a strong dividend track record, with increases every year for the past 24 years, contributing to predictable and sustainable financial results [4][31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail electricity sales increased by 1.7% in 2025 compared to 2024, significantly higher than the cumulative growth over the last decade [5][6] - Georgia Power experienced a 2.5% growth in electricity sales, with commercial sales up 17% year-over-year, driven by large load data center customers [6][7] - Industrial electricity sales grew by 1.4%, with gains in primary metals, lumber, paper, and transportation segments [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company anticipates retail electric sales to grow at least 3% across its electric operating companies in 2026, with an average annual growth projection of 10% from 2026 through 2030 [17] - The total large load pipeline has increased to over 75 GW, with 26 signed contracts representing 10 GW of fully contracted electric service agreements [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Southern Company is focused on sustainable growth through significant investments in energy infrastructure, with a capital investment forecast of $81 billion over the next five years, primarily at state-regulated utilities [24][25] - The company is exploring opportunities for new natural gas generation and enhancements to existing generation assets to meet future market demands [15][26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to capture growth opportunities, citing robust economic development activity and the addition of over 21,000 new jobs in its service territories [9][10] - The company is positioned to benefit from the increasing demand for reliable energy, with expectations of improved pricing for its natural gas fleet as contracts come up for renewal [13][14] Other Important Information - Southern Company has a disciplined approach to pricing large load contracts, ensuring that existing customers benefit from the growth while maintaining rate stability [22][23] - The company is committed to preserving its strong investment-grade credit ratings while addressing $9 billion of equity needs [27][30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Inquiry about the company's long-term growth outlook beyond 2028 - Management highlighted confidence in achieving growth targets based on the execution of projects and economic expansion in service territories [45][46] Question: Clarification on the 3 GW of near-term load and its impact on the current plan - Management confirmed that the 3 GW contracts are included in the current forecast and are expected to be signed imminently [55][56] Question: Discussion on the impact of affordability legislation on data center projects - Management acknowledged ongoing conversations about the impact of legislation but expressed confidence in the continued advancement of data center projects [81][83] Question: Inquiry about the potential for new gas expansion and its alignment with data center needs - Management stated that any new gas development would be approached with a disciplined risk profile, ensuring long-term contracts with creditworthy counterparties [97]
Southern Company(SO) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Presentation
2026-02-19 18:00
Fourth Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call February 19, 2026 Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain information contained in this presentation is forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes, among other things, financial objectives, earnings guidance, projected capital expenditures, planned financing activities, and other financial and operational projections. Southern Company and its s ...
Compared to Estimates, Southern Co. (SO) Q4 Earnings: A Look at Key Metrics
ZACKS· 2026-02-19 16:30
Core Insights - Southern Co. reported $6.98 billion in revenue for the quarter ended December 2025, marking a year-over-year increase of 10.1% and an EPS of $0.55 compared to $0.50 a year ago, with revenue exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.86 billion by 1.7% [1] Financial Performance - The company delivered an EPS surprise of -1.79%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.56 [1] - Southern Co. shares returned +2.1% over the past month, while the Zacks S&P 500 composite experienced a -0.8% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), indicating potential underperformance against the broader market in the near term [3] Operating Revenues Breakdown - Southern Power reported operating revenues of $472 million, below the estimated $510.01 million, but reflecting a +13.2% change year-over-year [4] - Total retail sales reached $35.33 billion, surpassing the three-analyst average estimate of $34.88 billion [4] - Southern Company Natural Gas generated $1.49 billion in operating revenues, exceeding the $1.27 billion estimate, with a year-over-year increase of +20.7% [4] - Georgia Power - Other Revenues were $222 million, below the two-analyst average estimate of $273.36 million, representing a year-over-year decline of -17.5% [4] - Mississippi Power - Retail Revenues were $261 million, exceeding the estimated $232.24 million, with a +15.5% year-over-year change [4] - Southern Company Gas - Gas Distribution Operations reported $1.31 billion, surpassing the $1.1 billion estimate, reflecting a +21.9% year-over-year change [4] - Retail Electric revenues were $4.27 billion, slightly below the $4.28 billion estimate, with a +6.7% year-over-year change [4] - Alabama Power reported $1.94 billion, slightly above the two-analyst average estimate of $1.93 billion, with a +10.6% year-over-year change [4] - Georgia Power generated $2.71 billion, exceeding the $2.65 billion estimate, reflecting a +4.9% year-over-year change [4] - Mississippi Power reported $394 million, surpassing the $356.15 million estimate, with a +14.2% year-over-year change [4]
Southern Co. (SO) Misses Q4 Earnings Estimates
ZACKS· 2026-02-19 14:40
Southern Co. (SO) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.55 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.56 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.5 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -1.79%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this power company would post earnings of $1.5 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.6, delivering a surprise of +6.67%.Over the last four quarters, the company ha ...
Southern Co forecasts annual profit below estimates, raises spending plan
Reuters· 2026-02-19 13:39
Core Insights - Southern Company forecasts annual profit below analysts' estimates and raises its five-year spending plan to support increasing power demands from large-load customers [1] Financial Performance - For the quarter ended December 31, Southern Company reported an adjusted profit of 55 cents per share, which is below the analysts' expectation of 57 cents [1] - Operating expenses increased by 14.7% during the quarter, while revenue rose by 10% [1] Spending Plans - Southern Company plans to spend approximately $81 billion from 2026 through 2030, an increase from its previous five-year plan of $76 billion [1] - The utility has contracted 10 gigawatts of large load customers, including major companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Compass Datacenters [1] Market Position - Southern Company serves 9 million customers and ranks as the second-largest utility in the U.S., operating in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia [1]
High-Grade Vein Discovery Expands Southern Corridor at Wild Dog Project
TMX Newsfile· 2026-02-19 12:30
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 19, 2026) - Great Pacific Gold Corp. (TSXV: GPAC) (OTCQX: GPGCF) (FSE: V3H) ("Great Pacific Gold," "GPAC," or the "Company") announces the discovery of a new high-grade epithermal gold-copper vein at its flagship Wild Dog Project in Papua New Guinea, further supporting the Company's interpretation of repeated high-grade polymetallic mineralization along the 15-kilometre-long Wild Dog Structural Corridor.The newly identified Magiabe West Vein, located ...
Retirees Should Know The XLU Utility ETF Has Paid Dividends Every Year Since 1999 Without Interruption
247Wallst· 2026-02-19 11:37
Core Viewpoint - The Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) has consistently paid dividends since 1999, yielding 2.75% and delivering a total return of 20.41% over the past year, making it an attractive option for income-focused investors [1]. Group 1: Dividend Consistency and Holdings - XLU has a 2.75% yield with uninterrupted dividend payments since 1999, indicating strong reliability for income-focused investors [1]. - NextEra Energy constitutes 14.06% of XLU's holdings, with a payout ratio of 69.1%, supporting a 10% annual dividend growth [1]. - Southern Company and Duke Energy have also raised dividends, reflecting their status as regulated utilities with a history of consistent payments [1]. Group 2: Financial Health and Dividend Sustainability - NextEra Energy's conservative capital allocation strategy allows for a sustainable dividend, with earnings growth of 25.8% providing flexibility for shareholder rewards and infrastructure investments [1]. - Southern Company increased its quarterly payment from $0.72 to $0.74, while Duke Energy raised its payment from $1.045 to $1.065, both maintaining manageable payout ratios [1]. Group 3: Market Context and Total Returns - The interest rate environment has shifted favorably for dividend-paying utilities, with the 10-year Treasury yield decreasing from 4.58% to 4.09%, reducing the opportunity cost of holding dividend stocks [1]. - XLU's total returns of 20.41% over the past year highlight the growing recognition of the value proposition in utilities [1]. - The projected dividend payments for 2025 are expected to be around $2.00 annually, down from $2.24 in 2024, reflecting portfolio rebalancing rather than fundamental weakness [1].
Southern Company (SO) Maintains Stability Amid Shifting Landscape
Yahoo Finance· 2026-02-19 08:38
The Southern Company (NYSE:SO) is one of the best infrastructure stocks to buy right now. On January 28, The Southern Company (NYSE:SO) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.74 per share on its common stock. Payment is scheduled for March 6, this year, to shareholders of record on February 17. Southern Company (SO) Maintains Stability Amid Shifting Landscape Pixabay/Public Domain This announcement continues 78 consecutive years of quarterly dividends equal to or greater than the prior quarter. The 74 cent ...
Southern Company(SO) - 2025 Q4 - Annual Report
2026-02-18 22:46
Table of Contents Index to Financial Statements UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K ☑ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2025 OR ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Transition Period from to | | Registrant, | | | --- | --- | --- | | Commission | State of Incorporation, | I.R.S. Employer | | File Number | Address ...