WallStSmart

Artesian Resources Corporation (ARTNA)vsSouthern Company (SO)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Southern Company generates 25707% more annual revenue ($30.18B vs $116.94M). ARTNA leads profitability with a 20.2% profit margin vs 15.4%. SO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.07. SO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 66/100 (B-).

ARTNA

Buy

58

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 4.7Profit: 7.0Value: 5.3Quality: 4.0
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 0.67

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

ARTNAUndervalued (+8.4%)

Margin of Safety

+8.4%

Fair Value

$36.13

Current Price

$35.85

$0.28 discount

UndervaluedFair: $36.13Overvalued
SOSignificantly Overvalued (-40.5%)

Margin of Safety

-40.5%

Fair Value

$62.06

Current Price

$87.17

$25.11 premium

UndervaluedFair: $62.06Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

ARTNA4 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Price/BookValuation
1.4x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
35.5%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 35.5%

Profit MarginProfitability
20.2%9/10

Keeps 20 of every $100 in revenue as profit

P/E RatioValuation
15.7x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

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

ARTNA4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
EPS GrowthGrowth
4.4%4/10

4.4% earnings growth

Market CapQuality
$370.23M3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
3.542/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

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 : ARTNA

The strongest argument for ARTNA centers on Price/Book, Operating Margin, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 20.2% and operating margin at 35.5%.

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 : ARTNA

The primary concerns for ARTNA are EPS Growth, Market Cap, Piotroski F-Score.

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

ARTNA profiles as a mature stock while SO is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

ARTNA carries more volatility with a beta of 0.32 — expect wider price swings.

ARTNA is growing revenue faster at 7.4% — sustainability is the question.

ARTNA generates stronger free cash flow (-3M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

SO scores higher overall (66/100 vs 58/100), backed by strong 15.4% margins. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

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

Artesian Resources Corporation

UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED WATER · USA

Artesian Resources Corporation provides water, wastewater, and other services in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. The company is headquartered in Newark, Delaware.

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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