8 Most Profitable Utility Stocks to Buy Right Now

3. The Southern Company (NYSE:SO)

TTM Net Income as of December 30: $4.46 billion

TTM Net Income Margin as of December 30: 15.42%

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 58

The Southern Company (NYSE:SO) is among the Most Profitable Stocks.

TheFly reported on December 16, 2025, that as part of its 2026 outlook for the utilities group, Morgan Stanley downgraded The Southern Company (NYSE:SO) from Equal Weight to Underweight and reduced its price objective to $81 from $97. According to the firm’s research report, utility share performance is forecast to be driven by data centers and growth upside in 2026, with no slowdown in activity or alleviation of grid tightness. The rating adjustment and lowered valuation forecast were caused in part by Morgan Stanley’s advice to investors to steer clear of political and regulatory risk, especially during an election year.

On December 15, 2025, UBS reduced its price target for The Southern Company (NYSE:SO) from $98 to $94 and maintained a neutral rating on the stock.

On December 15, 2025, JPMorgan reaffirmed its neutral rating and lowered its price objective on The Southern Company (NYSE:SO) from $104 to $93. As stated by JPMorgan, the modification came when the company’s model was updated.

The stock is up by 6.25% YTD as of December 31, 2025.

The Southern Company (NYSE:SO) is one of the largest utilities in the United States.