WallStSmart

Allete Inc (ALE)vsSouthern Company (SO)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Southern Company generates 1912% more annual revenue ($30.18B vs $1.50B). SO leads profitability with a 15.4% profit margin vs 11.0%. SO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.07. SO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 66/100 (B-).

ALE

Hold

43

out of 100

Grade: D

Growth: 2.7Profit: 5.0Value: 4.0Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 1.01

SO

Strong Buy

66

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 6.0Profit: 7.5Value: 4.0Quality: 3.0
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 0.65
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

ALEOvervalued (-12.9%)

Margin of Safety

-12.9%

Fair Value

$60.16

Current Price

$67.90

$7.74 premium

UndervaluedFair: $60.16Overvalued
SOSignificantly Overvalued (-38.4%)

Margin of Safety

-38.4%

Fair Value

$62.12

Current Price

$85.52

$23.40 premium

UndervaluedFair: $62.12Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

ALE1 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
Price/BookValuation
1.4x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

SO4 strengths · Avg: 8.3/10
Market CapQuality
$100.28B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Price/BookValuation
2.5x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
29.6%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 29.6%

EPS GrowthGrowth
30.4%8/10

Earnings expanding 30.4% YoY

Areas to Watch

ALE4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Return on EquityProfitability
5.8%3/10

ROE of 5.8% — below average capital efficiency

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
2.572/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-7.9%2/10

Revenue declined 7.9%

SO4 concerns · Avg: 3.5/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.074/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
0.1%4/10

0.1% revenue growth

Debt/EquityHealth
1.953/10

Elevated debt levels

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : ALE

The strongest argument for ALE centers on Price/Book.

Bull Case : SO

The strongest argument for SO centers on Market Cap, Price/Book, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 15.4% and operating margin at 29.6%.

Bear Case : ALE

The primary concerns for ALE are Return on Equity, Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio.

Bear Case : SO

The primary concerns for SO are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, Debt/Equity. Debt-to-equity of 1.95 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

ALE profiles as a declining stock while SO is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

ALE carries more volatility with a beta of 0.82 — expect wider price swings.

SO is growing revenue faster at 0.1% — sustainability is the question.

ALE generates stronger free cash flow (-174M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

SO scores higher overall (66/100 vs 43/100), backed by strong 15.4% margins. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Allete Inc

UTILITIES · UTILITIES - DIVERSIFIED · USA

ALLETE, Inc. is an energy company. The company is headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota.

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Southern Company

UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED ELECTRIC · USA

Southern Company is an American gas and electric utility holding company based in the southern United States. It is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with executive offices also located in Birmingham, Alabama.

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