Southern Company (SO) reported mixed second-quarter fiscal 2026 results on Thursday, with adjusted earnings topping Wall Street expectations while revenue missed estimates. Following the results, the stock fell over 2%.
Adjusted earnings came in at $1.13 per share, beating the analyst consensus estimate of $1.00. Operating revenue was essentially flat year over year at $6.98 billion, below the Street estimate of $7.23 billion. Operating expenses were also broadly unchanged at $5.20 billion.
Revenue from fuel declined 6% year over year to $1.06 billion, while non-fuel revenue increased 2%. Wholesale and other electric revenue rose, offsetting a decline in natural gas sales.
On a GAAP basis, net income attributable to Southern Company increased to $1.17 billion, or $1.03 per share, from $880 million, or 80 cents per share, a year earlier.
The company said adjusted earnings benefited from continued investment in its regulated utilities, customer growth and usage, higher equity-method investment income and lower income taxes, partly offset by higher interest expense.
Chief Executive Officer Chris Womack said the company continued to benefit from strong economic development across the Southeast, with rising electricity demand creating opportunities for long-term growth while supporting reliability and rate stability.
