Mizuho downgrades Southern Co. stock on valuation concerns despite strong fundamentals By Investing.com

On Monday, Mizuho Securities adjusted its stance on Southern Co . (NYSE: NYSE:), shifting the stock rating from Outperform to Neutral and setting a price target of $90.00. This change comes after the firm previously upgraded the stock in April 2023 due to positive expectations related to the nearing completion of Vogtle Unit 4, a key project for the company.

The downgrade is based on the current valuation of Southern Co.’s shares, which are trading at approximately a 21% price-to-earnings (P/E) premium compared to the electric utility group. Mizuho sees limited potential for the shares to outperform the group moving forward, leading to the decision to downgrade the stock to a Neutral position.

Despite the downgrade, Mizuho acknowledges Southern Co.’s robust load growth within its service territory, which has been bolstered by the increasing demand from data centers and the reshoring of manufacturing. This growth is expected to support the company’s 5-7% earnings per share (EPS) growth rate, which is considered more sustainable in light of these factors.

Mizuho also highlights Southern Co.’s financial health, noting the company’s strong balance sheet, with funds from operations (FFO) to debt ratio at 17%. In addition, the firm anticipates that Southern Co. will have minimal equity needs, projecting around $350 million per year through 2026.

The price target of $90.00 remains in place despite the rating downgrade, as Mizuho transitions to a more neutral stance on the stock’s future performance in the market.

In other recent news, Southern Co, a prominent energy provider, has shown strong performance in recent developments, surpassing Q2 estimates and demonstrating resilience, particularly in its electric and gas businesses.

The company’s adjusted earnings per share reached $1.10, driven by continued investment in state-regulated utilities and increased electricity sales due to warmer weather. Southern Co’s electric system displayed exceptional reliability during a recent heat wave, managing the third highest June peak load on record.

In addition to this, Southern Co has issued $750 million in Series 2024B 4.85% Senior Notes due March 15, 2035. This move was formalized under an Underwriting Agreement with major financial institutions including BofA Securities, Mizuho Securities USA, Morgan Stanley, PNC Capital Markets, and RBC Capital Markets. The issuance aligns with the company’s shelf registration statement and the debt has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Furthermore, Southern Co projects an adjusted earnings per share of $1.30 for the third quarter. The company is also considering a $3 billion project to provide gas capacity for future large loads, pending regulatory approval. These recent occurrences underline Southern Co’s robust performance and potential for future growth.

InvestingPro Insights

In light of Mizuho Securities’ recent rating adjustment for Southern Co. (NYSE: SO), real-time data and insights from InvestingPro could provide investors with additional context. Southern Co. has demonstrated a strong track record of dividend reliability, having raised its dividend for 22 consecutive years and maintained payments for 54 consecutive years. This consistency is a testament to the company’s financial stability and commitment to shareholder returns.

Despite some analysts revising their earnings estimates downwards for the upcoming period, Southern Co. is trading at a low P/E ratio relative to near-term earnings growth, with a P/E ratio of 21.22 and a PEG ratio of just 0.44 as of the last twelve months ending Q2 2024. Moreover, the stock has shown low price volatility, which might appeal to investors seeking stable returns.

InvestingPro Tips also indicate that Southern Co. is trading near its 52-week high, with the stock price at 99% of this peak. This could suggest a strong market sentiment towards the company. For those seeking further insights, InvestingPro offers additional tips on Southern Co., providing a more comprehensive analysis of the company’s prospects.

For a deeper dive into Southern Co.’s financial metrics and to access even more InvestingPro Tips, investors can visit: https://www.investing.com/pro/SO.

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