Southern 2Q Earnings Pregame Scorecard

Last quarter Southern (NYSE:SO) missed analysts' estimates, but it gets a a chance to make up for it when it announces earnings on Wednesday, July 25, 2012.

Expectations

Analysts currently expect Southern to come in with earnings of 68 cents per share on revenues of $4.77 billion. Analysts gave estimates ranging from earnings per share to earnings per share. Over the past three months, the average estimate has moved down from 74 cents.

Stock Movement

Recently, the stock price has been rising Since July 3, 2012 business days the stock has risen $1.32 per share.

Company Fundamental Trends This earnings announcement is definitely a chance to return to form after last quarter's profit drop broke a streak of income increases. Before falling in the first quarter, revenue rose 17.8% in the second quarter of the last fiscal year, 11.9% in the third quarter of the last fiscal year and 63.4% in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year. The company will look to use the upcoming earnings announcement as a salve for two-straight quarters of revenue declines. Revenue decreased by 2% during the past fourth quarter of the last fiscal year and dropped further over the first quarter.

Stock Ratings

Analysts think investors should stand pat on Southern with 13 of 16 analysts rating it hold.

Last Quarter's Results

In the first quarter, profit fell 12.3% to $384 million (42 cents a share) from $438 million (49 cents a share) the year earlier, missing analyst expectations. Revenue fell 10.2% to $3.6 billion from $4.01 billion.

Summary

Reporting Period: 2Q

Date of Release: Wednesday, July 25, 2012

EPS: 68 cents

Revenue Estimate: $4.77 billion

(Company fundamentals by Xignite Financials. Earnings estimates provided by Zacks)