WallStSmart

Companhia Paranaense de Energia - COPEL (ELPC)vsSouthern Company (SO)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Southern Company generates 8% more annual revenue ($30.18B vs $27.99B). SO leads profitability with a 15.4% profit margin vs 11.4%. ELPC trades at a lower P/E of 14.9x. SO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 66/100 (B-).

ELPC

Buy

64

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 6.7Profit: 6.5Value: 5.0Quality: 5.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 1.34

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

ELPCSignificantly Overvalued (-56.6%)

Margin of Safety

-56.6%

Fair Value

$7.01

Current Price

$12.48

$5.47 premium

UndervaluedFair: $7.01Overvalued
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

ELPC3 strengths · Avg: 8.7/10
EPS GrowthGrowth
50.0%10/10

Earnings expanding 50.0% YoY

P/E RatioValuation
14.9x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Operating MarginProfitability
22.1%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 22.1%

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

ELPC3 concerns · Avg: 2.7/10
Price/BookValuation
8.5x4/10

Trading at 8.5x book value

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-47.75M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.342/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

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 : ELPC

The strongest argument for ELPC centers on EPS Growth, P/E Ratio, Operating Margin. Revenue growth of 11.1% demonstrates continued momentum.

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 : ELPC

The primary concerns for ELPC are Price/Book, Free Cash Flow, Altman Z-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

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

ELPC is growing revenue faster at 11.1% — sustainability is the question.

ELPC generates stronger free cash flow (-48M), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor UTILITIES - REGULATED ELECTRIC industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

SO scores higher overall (66/100 vs 64/100), 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.

Companhia Paranaense de Energia - COPEL

UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED ELECTRIC · USA

Companhia Paranaense de Energia - COPEL engages in the generation, transformation, distribution, and sale of electricity to industrial, residential, commercial, rural, and other customers in Brazil.

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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