AEP vs SO: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of July 2026, AEP (American Electric Power Company, Inc.) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 5 of 8 head-to-head metrics. SO offers the higher yield at 3.19%, SO has the higher dividend-safety score, and AEP trades at the larger discount to fair value (+69%).
| Metric | AEP | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 2.88% | 3.19% |
| Annual dividend | $3.80 | $3.04 |
| Payout ratio | 56% | 76% |
| Years of growth | 16 yr | 25 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 5.7% | 3.0% |
| 5-yr total return | 48% | 45% |
| Dividend safety score | 88 (A) | 90 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $223.10 | $93.61 |
| Upside to fair value | +69% | -2% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $71.3B | $106.5B |
| P/E ratio | 19.5 | 24.4 |
Higher yield
SO
3.19%
Safer dividend
SO
Grade A
Faster growth
AEP
5.7%
Better value
AEP
+69% upside
AEP vs SO — FAQ
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