Lowe's Companies Inc (LOW)vsSouthern Company (SO)
LOW
Lowe's Companies Inc
$229.20
-0.73%
CONSUMER CYCLICAL · Cap: $129.31B
SO
Southern Company
$91.80
-0.68%
UTILITIES · Cap: $103.49B
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Lowe's Companies Inc generates 186% more annual revenue ($86.29B vs $30.18B). SO leads profitability with a 14.5% profit margin vs 7.7%. LOW appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 2.40. SO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 56/100 (C).
LOW
Hold44
out of 100
Grade: D
SO
Buy56
out of 100
Grade: C
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
-37.5%
Fair Value
$167.88
Current Price
$229.20
$61.32 premium
Margin of Safety
-26.1%
Fair Value
$73.33
Current Price
$91.80
$18.47 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Conservative balance sheet, low leverage
Large-cap with strong market position
Large-cap with strong market position
Reasonable price relative to book value
Strong operational efficiency at 25.8%
Areas to Watch
Expensive relative to growth rate
ROE of 0.0% — below average capital efficiency
7.7% margin — thin
Earnings declined 11.0%
Expensive relative to growth rate
Earnings declined 0.8%
Negative free cash flow — burning cash
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : LOW
The strongest argument for LOW centers on Debt/Equity, Market Cap. Revenue growth of 10.9% demonstrates continued momentum.
Bull Case : SO
The strongest argument for SO centers on Market Cap, Price/Book, Operating Margin.
Bear Case : LOW
The primary concerns for LOW are PEG Ratio, Return on Equity, Profit Margin.
Bear Case : SO
The primary concerns for SO are PEG Ratio, EPS Growth, Free Cash Flow.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
LOW carries more volatility with a beta of 0.90 — expect wider price swings.
LOW is growing revenue faster at 10.9% — sustainability is the question.
LOW generates stronger free cash flow (964M), providing more financial flexibility.
Monitor HOME IMPROVEMENT RETAIL industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.
Bottom Line
SO scores higher overall (56/100 vs 44/100). Both earn "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.
Lowe's Companies Inc
CONSUMER CYCLICAL · HOME IMPROVEMENT RETAIL · USA
Lowe's Companies, Inc. is an American retail company specializing in home improvement. Headquartered in Mooresville, North Carolina, the company operates a chain of retail stores in the United States and Canada.
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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