Southern Company reports first-quarter 2026 earnings
Rhea-AI Summary
Southern Company (NYSE:SO) reported Q1 2026 net income of $1.4 billion, or $1.21 per share, versus $1.3 billion, or $1.21 per share, in Q1 2025. Net income excluding items was $1.5 billion, or $1.32 per share. Operating revenues were $8.4 billion, up 8.0% year-over-year.
The quarter included a higher accelerated depreciation from repowering adjustment and increased interest expense; management will discuss results on a live webcast at 1 p.m. ET.
Positive
- Operating revenues of $8.4 billion in Q1 2026
Negative
- Accelerated depreciation from repowering rose to $154 million in Q1 2026 from $26 million in Q1 2025
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
SO fell 0.95% with major regulated electric peers also down (e.g., DUK, NGG, AEP, D, XEL all negative). Momentum scans highlighted XEL down 3.58%, suggesting broader sector softness around utility earnings.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23 | Capacity expansion plans | Positive | -0.5% | Georgia Power sought 2,000–6,000 MW new dispatchable capacity and more solar. |
| Apr 20 | Dividend increase | Positive | -1.1% | Quarterly dividend raised to $0.76 per share, 25th consecutive annual increase. |
| Apr 17 | Grid resiliency project | Positive | -0.4% | PowerSecure to deliver 5 MW battery and 1.25 MWdc solar for PRECorp. |
| Apr 16 | ESG/community event | Neutral | -0.4% | Georgia Natural Gas hosted an Earth Day electronics recycling event in Atlanta. |
| Apr 16 | Partnership announcement | Positive | +0.3% | Georgia Power partnered with U.S. Soccer to support the National Training Center. |
Recent positive corporate and dividend news often saw modestly negative 24h price reactions.
Over the past month, Southern Company issued several growth and capital-planning updates, including Georgia Power’s filing to procure 2,000–6,000 MW of new capacity and additional ~385 MW of solar, alongside large-load customer commitments of ~15,600 MW. The company also marked its 25th consecutive annual dividend increase to an annualized $3.04 per share. Operational and community-focused announcements around grid resiliency and sustainability rounded out the period. Despite generally constructive news, short-term price moves after these events were often slightly negative.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement detailed year-over-year growth, with Q1 2026 operating revenues of $8.4 billion versus $7.8 billion and adjusted EPS rising to $1.32. Management highlighted stronger utility revenues partially offset by milder weather and higher interest expense. Investors may focus on the durability of earnings excluding items, capital spending needs, and how infrastructure investments support long-term value. Tracking subsequent quarters’ revenue mix and earnings quality would help assess ongoing performance.
Key Terms
non-GAAP financial
loss on extinguishment of debt financial
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Excluding the items described under "Net Income – Excluding Items" in the table below, Southern Company earned
Non-GAAP Financial Measures | Three Months Ended March | |
Net Income – Excluding Items (in millions) | 2026 | 2025 |
Net Income – As Reported | $ 1,356 | $ 1,334 |
Less: | ||
Accelerated Depreciation from Repowering | (154) | (26) |
Tax Impact | 34 | 6 |
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt | (11) | — |
Tax Impact | 3 | — |
Estimated Loss on Nicor Gas Capital Investments | (2) | — |
Tax Impact | — | — |
Estimated Loss on Plants Under Construction | — | (3) |
Tax Impact | — | 1 |
Net Income – Excluding Items | $ 1,486 | $ 1,356 |
Average Shares Outstanding – (in millions) | 1,124 | 1,100 |
Basic Earnings Per Share – Excluding Items | $ 1.32 | $ 1.23 |
NOTE: For more information regarding these non-GAAP adjustments, see the footnotes accompanying the Financial Highlights page of the earnings package. |
Adjusted earnings drivers for the first quarter of 2026, as compared with 2025, were higher utility revenues, partially offset by milder than normal weather at the regulated electric utilities and higher interest expense.
First-quarter 2026 operating revenues were
"Southern Company is delivering on our plans to serve growth in a way that is both beneficial and protective for existing customers," said Chris Womack, chairman, president and CEO of Southern Company. "As our region continues to grow, we're investing in the infrastructure needed to support that growth in a way that provides long-term value while staying grounded in what our customers value most – reliability they can count on and a focus on keeping rates stable. We're uniquely positioned to do this because of our scale, skill and expertise, all of which are focused on putting our customers and communities first."
Southern Company's first-quarter earnings slides with supplemental financial information are available at investor.southerncompany.com.
Southern Company's financial analyst call will begin at 1 p.m. Eastern Time today, during which Womack and Chief Financial Officer David P. Poroch will discuss earnings and provide a general business update. Investors, media and the public may listen to a live webcast of the call and view associated slides at investor.southerncompany.com. A replay of the webcast will be available on the site for 12 months.
About Southern Company
Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success, driven by our nearly 30,000 employees dedicated to delivering exceptional service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this release is forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements concerning plans to serve projected future growth and the potential benefits thereof. Southern Company cautions that there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Southern Company; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in Southern Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2026 and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: the impact of recent and future federal and state legal and regulatory changes, including tax, environmental and other laws and regulations to which Southern Company and its subsidiaries are subject, as well as changes in application of existing laws, regulations and guidance; the extent and timing of costs and legal requirements related to coal combustion residuals; current and future litigation or regulatory investigations, proceedings, or inquiries; the effects, extent, and timing of the entry of additional competition in the markets in which Southern Company's subsidiaries operate, including from the development and deployment of alternative energy sources; variations in demand for electricity and natural gas, including uncertainties related to projected significant growth in electricity demand driven primarily by data centers and other large load customers, and the related requirement for substantial new generation and transmission investments, creating capital access and revenue recovery risks for the traditional electric operating companies; customer affordability matters; available sources and costs of natural gas and other fuels and commodities; the ability to complete necessary or desirable pipeline expansion or infrastructure projects, limits on pipeline capacity, public and policymaker support for such projects, and operational interruptions to natural gas distribution and transmission activities; transmission constraints; the ability to control costs and avoid cost and schedule overruns during the development, construction, and operation of facilities or other projects due to challenges which include, but are not limited to, changes in labor costs, availability, and productivity, challenges with the management of contractors or vendors, subcontractor performance, adverse weather conditions, shortages, delays, increased costs, or inconsistent quality of equipment, materials, and labor, contractor or supplier delay, the impacts of inflation and trade policies (including tariffs and other trade measures) of
Southern Company | |||
Financial Highlights | |||
(In Millions Except Earnings Per Share) | |||
Three Months Ended March | |||
Net Income – As Reported | 2026 | 2025 | |
Traditional Electric Operating Companies | $ 1,113 | $ 1,026 | |
Southern Power | 4 | 87 | |
Southern Company Gas | 447 | 418 | |
Total | 1,564 | 1,531 | |
Parent Company and Other | (208) | (197) | |
Net Income – As Reported | $ 1,356 | $ 1,334 | |
Basic Earnings Per Share(1) | $ 1.21 | $ 1.21 | |
Average Shares Outstanding | 1,124 | 1,100 | |
Non-GAAP Financial Measures | Three Months Ended March | ||
Net Income – Excluding Items | 2026 | 2025 | |
Net Income – As Reported | $ 1,356 | $ 1,334 | |
Less: | |||
Accelerated Depreciation from Repowering(2) | (154) | (26) | |
Tax Impact | 34 | 6 | |
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt(3) | (11) | — | |
Tax Impact | 3 | — | |
Estimated Loss on Nicor Gas Capital Investments(4) | (2) | — | |
Tax Impact | — | — | |
Estimated Loss on Plants Under Construction(5) | — | (3) | |
Tax Impact | — | 1 | |
Net Income – Excluding Items | $ 1,486 | $ 1,356 | |
Basic Earnings Per Share – Excluding Items | $ 1.32 | $ 1.23 | |
See Notes on the following page. |
Southern Company | |
Financial Highlights | |
Notes | |
(1) | Dilution is not material in any period presented. Diluted earnings per share was |
(2) | Earnings include pre-tax charges of |
(3) | Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2026 include costs associated with the extinguishment of debt at Southern Company as a result of Southern Company's redemption of certain junior subordinated notes. Similar transaction costs may occur in the future at Southern Company or one of its unregulated subsidiaries; however, the amount and timing of any such costs are uncertain. |
(4) | Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2026 include an estimated loss of |
(5) | Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2025 include charges (net of salvage proceeds), associated legal expenses (net of insurance recoveries), and tax impacts related to Mississippi Power Company's integrated coal gasification combined cycle facility project in |
Southern Company | |||||
Significant Factors Impacting EPS | |||||
Three Months Ended March | |||||
2026 | 2025 | Change | |||
Earnings Per Share – | |||||
As Reported(1) | $ 1.21 | $ 1.21 | $ — | ||
Significant Factors: | |||||
Traditional Electric Operating Companies | $ 0.08 | ||||
Southern Power | (0.08) | ||||
Southern Company Gas | 0.03 | ||||
Parent Company and Other | — | ||||
Increase in Shares | (0.03) | ||||
Total – As Reported | $ — | ||||
Three Months Ended March | |||||
Non-GAAP Financial Measures | 2026 | 2025 | Change | ||
Earnings Per Share – | |||||
Excluding Items | $ 1.32 | $ 1.23 | $ 0.09 | ||
Total – As Reported | $ — | ||||
Less: | |||||
Accelerated Depreciation from Repowering(2) | (0.08) | ||||
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt(3) | (0.01) | ||||
Estimated Loss on Nicor Gas Capital Investments(4) | — | ||||
Estimated Loss on Plants Under Construction(5) | — | ||||
Total – Excluding Items | $ 0.09 | ||||
See Notes on the following page. |
Southern Company | |
Significant Factors Impacting EPS | |
Notes | |
(1) | Dilution is not material in any period presented. Diluted earnings per share was |
(2) | Earnings include pre-tax charges of |
(3) | Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2026 include costs associated with the extinguishment of debt at Southern Company as a result of Southern Company's redemption of certain junior subordinated notes. Similar transaction costs may occur in the future at Southern Company or one of its unregulated subsidiaries; however, the amount and timing of any such costs are uncertain. |
(4) | Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2026 include an estimated loss of |
(5) | Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2025 include charges (net of salvage proceeds), associated legal expenses (net of insurance recoveries), and tax impacts related to Mississippi Power Company's integrated coal gasification combined cycle facility project in |
Southern Company | |
EPS Earnings Analysis | |
Description | Three Months Ended March 2026 vs. 2025 |
Retail Sales | 6¢ |
Retail Revenue Impacts | (1) |
Weather | (5) |
Wholesale and Other Operating Revenues | 3 |
Non-Fuel Operations and Maintenance Expenses(1) | 2 |
Depreciation and Amortization | — |
Allowance for Equity Funds Used During Construction | 5 |
Interest Expense and Other | (3) |
Income Taxes | 1 |
Total Traditional Electric Operating Companies | 8¢ |
Southern Power | 1 |
Southern Company Gas | 3 |
Parent Company and Other | — |
Increase in Shares | (3) |
Total Change in EPS (Excluding Items) | 9¢ |
Accelerated Depreciation from Repowering(2) | (8) |
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt(3) | (1) |
Estimated Loss on Nicor Gas Capital Investments(4) | — |
Estimated Loss on Plants Under Construction(5) | — |
Total Change in EPS (As Reported) | —¢ |
See Notes on the following page. |
Southern Company | |
EPS Earnings Analysis | |
Notes | |
(1) | Excludes gains/losses on asset sales, which are included in "Interest Expense and Other." Includes non-service cost-related benefits income. |
(2) | Earnings include pre-tax charges of |
(3) | Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2026 include costs associated with the extinguishment of debt at Southern Company as a result of Southern Company's redemption of certain junior subordinated notes. Similar transaction costs may occur in the future at Southern Company or one of its unregulated subsidiaries; however, the amount and timing of any such costs are uncertain. |
(4) | Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2026 include an estimated loss of |
(5) | Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2025 include charges (net of salvage proceeds), associated legal expenses (net of insurance recoveries), and tax impacts related to Mississippi Power Company's integrated coal gasification combined cycle facility project in |
Southern Company | |||||
Consolidated Earnings | |||||
As Reported | |||||
Three Months Ended March | |||||
2026 | 2025 | Change | |||
(in millions) | |||||
Retail electric revenues: | |||||
Fuel | $ 1,256 | $ 1,217 | $ 39 | ||
Non-fuel | 3,384 | 3,384 | — | ||
Wholesale electric revenues | 965 | 744 | 221 | ||
Other electric revenues | 265 | 242 | 23 | ||
Natural gas revenues | 2,191 | 1,839 | 352 | ||
Other revenues | 336 | 349 | (13) | ||
Total operating revenues | 8,397 | 7,775 | 622 | ||
Fuel and purchased power | 1,735 | 1,542 | 193 | ||
Cost of natural gas | 926 | 674 | 252 | ||
Cost of other sales | 181 | 199 | (18) | ||
Non-fuel operations and maintenance | 1,653 | 1,619 | 34 | ||
Depreciation and amortization | 1,420 | 1,286 | 134 | ||
Taxes other than income taxes | 464 | 445 | 19 | ||
Total operating expenses | 6,379 | 5,765 | 614 | ||
Operating income | 2,018 | 2,010 | 8 | ||
Allowance for equity funds used during construction | 121 | 73 | 48 | ||
Earnings from equity method investments | 50 | 32 | 18 | ||
Interest expense, net of amounts capitalized | 778 | 714 | 64 | ||
Other income (expense), net | 155 | 149 | 6 | ||
Income taxes | 228 | 280 | (52) | ||
Net income | 1,338 | 1,270 | 68 | ||
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | (18) | (64) | 46 | ||
Net income attributable to Southern Company | $ 1,356 | $ 1,334 | $ 22 | ||
Certain prior year data may have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation. |
Southern Company | |||||||
Kilowatt-Hour Sales and Customers | |||||||
Three Months Ended March | |||||||
2026 | 2025 | % Change | Weather | ||||
(in millions) | |||||||
Kilowatt-Hour Sales | |||||||
Total Sales | 50,192 | 48,485 | 3.5 % | ||||
Total Retail Sales | 36,600 | 36,442 | 0.4 % | 2.3 % | |||
Residential | 12,121 | 12,633 | (4.1) % | 0.9 % | |||
Commercial | 12,344 | 11,852 | 4.2 % | 4.6 % | |||
Industrial | 12,004 | 11,824 | 1.5 % | 1.5 % | |||
Other | 131 | 133 | (1.9) % | (1.9) % | |||
Total Wholesale Sales | 13,592 | 12,043 | 12.9 % | N/A | |||
Period Ended March | |||||||
2026 | 2025 | % Change | |||||
(in thousands) | |||||||
Regulated Utility Customers | |||||||
Total Regulated Utility Customers | 9,037 | 8,967 | 0.8 % | ||||
Traditional Electric Operating Companies | 4,600 | 4,551 | 1.1 % | ||||
Southern Company Gas | 4,437 | 4,416 | 0.5 % | ||||
Southern Company | |||||
Financial Overview | |||||
As Reported | |||||
Three Months Ended March | |||||
2026 | 2025 | % Change | |||
(in millions) | |||||
Southern Company – | |||||
Operating Revenues | $ 8,397 | $ 7,775 | 8.0 % | ||
Earnings Before Income Taxes | 1,566 | 1,550 | 1.0 % | ||
Net Income Available to Common | 1,356 | 1,334 | 1.6 % | ||
Alabama Power – | |||||
Operating Revenues | $ 2,092 | $ 2,012 | 4.0 % | ||
Earnings Before Income Taxes | 554 | 486 | 14.0 % | ||
Net Income Available to Common | 425 | 375 | 13.3 % | ||
Georgia Power – | |||||
Operating Revenues | $ 3,142 | $ 3,037 | 3.5 % | ||
Earnings Before Income Taxes | 713 | 694 | 2.7 % | ||
Net Income Available to Common | 628 | 596 | 5.4 % | ||
Mississippi Power – | |||||
Operating Revenues | $ 472 | $ 420 | 12.4 % | ||
Earnings Before Income Taxes | 78 | 71 | 9.9 % | ||
Net Income Available to Common | 60 | 55 | 9.1 % | ||
Southern Power – | |||||
Operating Revenues | $ 681 | $ 567 | 20.1 % | ||
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes | (84) | 22 | N/M | ||
Net Income Available to Common | 4 | 87 | (95.4) % | ||
Southern Company Gas – | |||||
Operating Revenues | $ 2,191 | $ 1,839 | 19.1 % | ||
Earnings Before Income Taxes | 592 | 548 | 8.0 % | ||
Net Income Available to Common | 447 | 418 | 6.9 % | ||
See Financial Highlights pages for discussion of certain significant items occurring during the periods. |
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SOURCE Southern Company