PPL vs. SO
PPL (PPL Corporation) and SO (The Southern Company) are both stocks. Both operate in the Utilities - Regulated Electric industry within the Utilities sector. Over the past 10 years, PPL returned 3.30%/yr vs 10.55%/yr for SO. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.
Performance
PPL vs. SO - Performance Comparison
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Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PPL achieves a 0.75% return, which is significantly lower than SO's 5.45% return. Over the past 10 years, PPL has underperformed SO with an annualized return of 3.30%, while SO has yielded a comparatively higher 10.55% annualized return.
PPL
- 1D
- 0.55%
- 1M
- -7.35%
- YTD
- 0.75%
- 6M
- 2.18%
- 1Y
- 4.73%
- 3Y*
- 13.50%
- 5Y*
- 7.77%
- 10Y*
- 3.30%
SO
- 1D
- -0.02%
- 1M
- -4.95%
- YTD
- 5.45%
- 6M
- 4.52%
- 1Y
- 4.31%
- 3Y*
- 13.13%
- 5Y*
- 11.08%
- 10Y*
- 10.55%
PPL vs. SO - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PPL PPL Corporation | 0.75% | 11.38% | 23.98% | -3.77% | 0.35% | 12.88% | -16.87% | 33.41% | -3.01% | -5.19% |
SO The Southern Company | 5.45% | 9.47% | 21.72% | 2.21% | 8.24% | 16.34% | 0.63% | 51.65% | -3.75% | 2.42% |
Correlation
The correlation between PPL and SO is 0.65, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.
| Correlation | |
|---|---|
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.65 |
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period | 0.72 |
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.73 |
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.68 |
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 9, 1985 | 0.53 |
The correlation between PPL and SO shifts across timeframes, from 0.53 (all time) to 0.73 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.
Fundamentals
PPL:
$26.52B
SO:
$102.07B
PPL:
$1.63
SO:
$3.92
PPL:
21.47
SO:
23.08
PPL:
17.98
SO:
1.43
PPL:
2.81
SO:
3.34
PPL:
1.21
SO:
2.75
PPL:
$9.31B
SO:
$30.17B
PPL:
$4.34B
SO:
$13.01B
PPL:
$3.38B
SO:
$14.44B
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Return for Risk
PPL vs. SO — Risk / Return Rank
PPL
SO
PPL vs. SO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for PPL Corporation (PPL) and The Southern Company (SO). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.
| PPL | SO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | +0.01 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 0.00 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.06 | 1.06 | 0.00 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.36 | 0.29 | +0.07 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 0.98 | 0.68 | +0.30 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
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Sharpe Ratios by Period
| PPL | SO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.28 | 0.27 | +0.01 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.42 | 0.60 | -0.18 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.15 | 0.48 | -0.34 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.43 | 0.62 | -0.19 |
Drawdowns
PPL vs. SO - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PPL drawdown since its inception was -55.38%, which is greater than SO's maximum drawdown of -38.43%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PPL and SO.
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Drawdown Indicators
| PPL | SO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -55.38% | -38.43% | -16.95% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -13.29% | -14.99% | +1.70% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -18.84% | -14.99% | -3.85% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -24.73% | -23.28% | -1.45% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -48.73% | -38.43% | -10.30% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -12.03% | -7.94% | -4.09% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -15.62% | -6.87% | -8.75% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 4.82% | 6.32% | -1.50% |
Volatility
PPL vs. SO - Volatility Comparison
PPL Corporation (PPL) and The Southern Company (SO) have volatilities of 5.79% and 5.85%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
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Volatility by Period
| PPL | SO | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 5.79% | 5.85% | -0.06% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 12.88% | 12.95% | -0.07% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 16.80% | 15.96% | +0.84% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 18.73% | 18.64% | +0.09% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 22.78% | 21.94% | +0.84% |
Dividends
PPL vs. SO - Dividend Comparison
PPL's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.15%, less than SO's 3.29% yield.
| Position | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PPL PPL Corporation | 3.15% | 3.11% | 3.17% | 3.54% | 2.99% | 5.52% | 5.89% | 4.60% | 5.79% | 5.11% | 4.46% | 11.74% |
SO The Southern Company | 3.29% | 3.37% | 3.47% | 3.96% | 3.78% | 3.82% | 4.13% | 3.86% | 5.42% | 4.78% | 4.52% | 4.60% |
Financials
PPL vs. SO - Financials Comparison
This section allows you to compare key financial metrics between PPL Corporation and The Southern Company. You can select fields from income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements to easily visualize and compare the financial health of both companies.
Total Revenue: Total amount of money received from sales and other business activities
PPL vs. SO - Profitability Comparison
PPL - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, PPL Corporation reported a gross profit of 1.92B and revenue of 2.77B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 69.3%.
SO - Gross Margin
Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, The Southern Company reported a gross profit of 3.90B and revenue of 8.40B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 46.5%.
PPL - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, PPL Corporation reported an operating income of 745.00M and revenue of 2.77B, resulting in an operating margin of 26.9%.
SO - Operating Margin
Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, The Southern Company reported an operating income of 2.02B and revenue of 8.40B, resulting in an operating margin of 24.0%.
PPL - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, PPL Corporation reported a net income of 452.00M and revenue of 2.77B, resulting in a net margin of 16.3%.
SO - Net Margin
Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, The Southern Company reported a net income of 1.36B and revenue of 8.40B, resulting in a net margin of 16.2%.
Frequently Asked Questions
PPL and SO have a correlation of 0.65, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.
SO has higher volatility (5.85%) compared to PPL (5.79%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PPL dropped -55.38% vs SO's -38.43%.
PPL currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (0.28 vs 0.27), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.
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