DUK vs SO: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of July 2026, DUK and SO are closely matched. DUK offers the higher yield at 3.36%, DUK has the higher dividend-safety score, and SO trades at the larger discount to fair value (-3%).
| Metric | DUK | SO |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 3.36% | 3.14% |
| Annual dividend | $4.34 | $3.04 |
| Payout ratio | 65% | 76% |
| Years of growth | 21 yr | 25 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 2.0% | 3.0% |
| 5-yr total return | 25% | 48% |
| Dividend safety score | 92 (A) | 90 (A) |
| Fair value estimate | $126.10 | $94.17 |
| Upside to fair value | -3% | -3% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $100.6B | $108.3B |
| P/E ratio | 19.9 | 24.8 |
Higher yield
DUK
3.36%
Safer dividend
DUK
Grade A
Faster growth
SO
3.0%
Better value
SO
-3% upside
DUK vs SO — FAQ
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