Avista Corporation (AVA)vsSouthern Company (SO)
AVA
Avista Corporation
$40.52
-1.67%
UTILITIES · Cap: $3.34B
SO
Southern Company
$96.70
+3.41%
UTILITIES · Cap: $109.01B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Southern Company generates 1405% more annual revenue ($29.55B vs $1.96B). SO leads profitability with a 14.7% profit margin vs 9.8%. AVA appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.61. AVA earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 56/100 (C).
AVA
Buy56
out of 100
Grade: C
SO
Buy54
out of 100
Grade: C-
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+2.1%
Fair Value
$42.64
Current Price
$40.52
$2.12 discount
Margin of Safety
-35.0%
Fair Value
$71.61
Current Price
$96.70
$25.09 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Reasonable price relative to book value
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Strong operational efficiency at 20.8%
Large-cap with strong market position
Areas to Watch
0.0% revenue growth
2.8% earnings growth
ROE of 7.3% — below average capital efficiency
Elevated debt levels
Expensive relative to growth rate
Earnings declined 22.1%
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : AVA
The strongest argument for AVA centers on Price/Book, P/E Ratio, Operating Margin.
Bull Case : SO
The strongest argument for SO centers on Market Cap. Revenue growth of 10.1% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bear Case : AVA
The primary concerns for AVA are Revenue Growth, EPS Growth, Return on Equity.
Bear Case : SO
The primary concerns for SO are PEG Ratio, EPS Growth, Free Cash Flow.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
SO carries more volatility with a beta of 0.41 — expect wider price swings.
SO is growing revenue faster at 10.1% — sustainability is the question.
AVA generates stronger free cash flow (-304M), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor UTILITIES - DIVERSIFIED industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
AVA scores higher overall (56/100 vs 54/100). Both earn "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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