Avista Corporation (AVA)vsSouthern Company (SO)
AVA
Avista Corporation
$36.79
-0.92%
UTILITIES · Cap: $3.13B
SO
Southern Company
$87.17
-0.66%
UTILITIES · Cap: $100.28B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Southern Company generates 1473% more annual revenue ($30.18B vs $1.92B). SO leads profitability with a 15.4% profit margin vs 11.8%. SO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.07. SO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 66/100 (B-).
AVA
Buy62
out of 100
Grade: C+
SO
Strong Buy66
out of 100
Grade: B-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-31.0%
Fair Value
$31.86
Current Price
$36.79
$4.93 premium
Margin of Safety
-40.5%
Fair Value
$62.06
Current Price
$87.17
$25.11 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Reasonable price relative to book value
Earnings expanding 147.9% YoY
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Large-cap with strong market position
Reasonable price relative to book value
Strong operational efficiency at 29.6%
Earnings expanding 30.4% YoY
Areas to Watch
Expensive relative to growth rate
0.5% revenue growth
ROE of 7.4% — below average capital efficiency
Elevated debt levels
Expensive relative to growth rate
0.1% revenue growth
Elevated debt levels
Weak financial health signals
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : AVA
The strongest argument for AVA centers on Price/Book, EPS Growth, P/E Ratio.
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 : AVA
The primary concerns for AVA are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, Return on Equity.
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
SO carries more volatility with a beta of 0.32 — expect wider price swings.
AVA is growing revenue faster at 0.5% — sustainability is the question.
AVA generates stronger free cash flow (-54M), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor UTILITIES - DIVERSIFIED industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
SO scores higher overall (66/100 vs 62/100), 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.
Avista Corporation
UTILITIES · UTILITIES - DIVERSIFIED · USA
Avista Corporation is a natural gas and electric utility company. The company is headquartered in Spokane, Washington.
Visit Website →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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