For the quarter ended June 2024, Southern Co. (SO Quick QuoteSO - Free Report) reported revenue of $6.46 billion, up 12.4% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $1.09, compared to $0.79 in the year-ago quarter.

The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.26 billion, representing a surprise of +3.26%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +19.78%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.91.

While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.

Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.

Here is how Southern Co. performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:

• Operating Revenues- Southern Power

  : $524 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $526.78 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -0.2%.

• Operating Revenues- Southern Company Natural Gas

  : $831 million versus the three-analyst average estimate of $957.64 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of -2.5%.

• Operating Revenues- Georgia Power - Retail Revenues

  : $2.60 billion versus $2.41 billion estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +20% change.

• Operating Revenues- Alabama Power

  : $1.87 billion versus $1.77 billion estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +10.9% change.

• Operating Revenues- Georgia Power

  : $2.88 billion compared to the $2.64 billion average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +20.2% year over year.

• Operating Revenues- Mississippi Power

  : $364 million compared to the $338.80 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +17% year over year.

• Operating Revenues- Mississippi Power - Other Revenues

  : $10 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $8.89 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of 0%.

• Operating Revenues- Southern Company Gas - Gas Distribution Operations

  : $749 million versus $884.68 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a -1.6% change.

• Operating Revenues- Other

  : $309 million compared to the $229.63 million average estimate based on two analysts. The reported number represents a change of +38.6% year over year.

• Operating Revenues- Alabama Power - Retail Revenues

  : $1.65 billion versus $1.56 billion estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +12.3% change.

• Operating Revenues- Georgia Power - Wholesale Revenues

  : $63 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of $49.58 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +34%.

• Operating Revenues- Georgia Power - Other Revenues

  : $215 million versus $180.28 million estimated by two analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +20.1% change.

View all Key Company Metrics for Southern Co. here>>>

Shares of Southern Co. have returned +7.5% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.1% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.