The Southern CompanySO
NYSE•Utilities•Utilities - Regulated Electric
Understand cash generation quality and how management allocates capital.
Free cash flow was $-1.72B in the latest quarter (44.7% decrease YoY). FCF margin is -5.7%. Shares outstanding increased by 2.2% year-over-year, indicating dilution (potentially from stock compensation or capital raises). Free cash flow is the lifeblood of a business — it funds dividends, buybacks, debt reduction, and reinvestment without relying on external capital.
Free cash flow, earnings quality, and capital allocation