Key Highlights

● Southern Company closed at $86.13 on 9 October 2026.

● Market data consensus target is $100.08, implying about 16.2% upside.

● Targets range from $79.00 to $112.00.

● Citigroup lowered its target from $114 to $104 on 25 September.

Southern Company (NYSE:SO), a member of the S&P 500, closed at $86.13 on Friday 9 October 2026. Analyst targets sit well above that level, with the consensus implying upside of about 16.2%, and ratings lean neutral.

What Is the Latest Analyst Price Target?

Market data reports a consensus price target of $100.08 from 20 analysts over the past 12 months, with a high of $112.00 and a low of $79.00. Against the $86.13 close, the consensus target suggests upside of about 16.2%. The second data set, which polls 23 analysts through third-party data, shows a lower mean of $98.66, a median of $101, a high of $112 and a low of $79.

The recent named broker targets, which range from $79 to $106 and average roughly $97, sit slightly below both means. The spread between the lowest and highest targets is unusually wide, so the average conceals a broad range of views.

What Are Wall Street Analysts Saying?

Market data shows seven Buy, 11 Hold and two Sell ratings, a consensus of Hold. The second data set also describes the consensus as Hold.

Citigroup lowered its target from $114 to $104 on 25 September while keeping a Buy rating, and Morgan Stanley cut its target from $89 to $85 with an Underweight rating on 18 September. Truist lowered its target from $100 to $97 with a Hold rating on 13 August. Mizuho set a $106 target on 31 July. BMO Capital Markets raised its target from $102 to $104 with an Outperform rating on 27 July, and JPMorgan raised its target from $101 to $104 with a Neutral rating on 16 July. KeyCorp, on 23 July, moved to a sector-weight view with a $79 target, the lowest in the data.

What Could Help the Stock Reach the Price Target?

Market data indicates the latest quarter delivered earnings per share of $1.13 against a $1.01 estimate, while revenue grew by only about 0.1% year on year. Continued earnings beats and regulatory support for the company's investment programme could improve sentiment. Regulated utilities are generally valued for stable earnings and dividends, so a decline in interest rates would typically make the shares more attractive to income investors, although this is outside the company's control. The gap between the share price and the consensus target also leaves room for re-rating if analysts' optimistic views prove correct.

What Could Prevent the Stock Reaching the Target?

Sentiment has softened recently, with Citigroup, Morgan Stanley and Truist all cutting targets since mid-August. Two Sell ratings and 11 Holds mean that fewer than half the analysts on market data are positive. Utilities carry high debt levels and substantial capital spending requirements, so higher interest rates, cost inflation, project delays or unfavourable regulatory outcomes could weigh on results. The target of $85 from Morgan Stanley sits below the current share price, a reminder that some analysts see limited upside.

What Should Investors Watch Next?

Investors may also watch for further target revisions, regulatory decisions and interest rate moves.

How Analysts See Southern Company After the Latest Close

Southern Company closed at $86.13 on 9 October 2026, against a market data consensus target of $100.08. Citigroup lowered its target from $114 to $104 on 25 September while keeping a Buy rating, and Morgan Stanley cut its target from $89 to $85 with an Underweight rating on 18 September.