From MarketBeat:
IFM Investors Pty Ltd increased its stake in The Southern Company by 5.7% in the third quarter, now owning 360,480 shares with a value of $23,330,000. Other hedge funds and institutional investors have also adjusted their stakes in the company. Insiders have recently sold 25,000 shares of Southern stock. Currently, Southern stock is trading at $71.61 per share, down 0.1% from the previous day. The company’s stock trades on the NYSE under the symbol “SO.” Furthermore, sell-side analysts predict that The Southern Company will post 3.6 EPS for the current fiscal year, with a dividend payout ratio of 101.08%.
Southern Company last reported its earnings results on November 2nd, with $1.42 EPS for the quarter, exceeding the consensus forecast by $0.10. The company had a return on equity of 10.26% and a net margin of 11.60%. Revenue for the quarter was $6.98 billion, falling short of the $8.38 billion estimate.
Southern’s most recent quarterly dividend payment was $0.70 per share, with record and ex-dividend dates of November 20th and November 17th, respectively. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.91%. Furthermore, the company’s payout ratio is currently 101.08%.
Several equities research analysts have issued their recommendations on Southern stock, with an average target price of $73.00. Two analysts have rated the stock as a sell, seven as hold, four as buy, and one as a strong buy. The stock currently has an average rating of “Hold,” according to MarketBeat.com.
The Southern Company, traded on the NYSE under the symbol “SO,” is involved in the generation, transmission, distribution of electricity, and natural gas distribution and marketing. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets and renewable energy projects.
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Read more: IFM Investors Pty Ltd Acquires 19,492 Shares of The Southern Company (NYSE:SO)