Southern Company ( SO ) shares are trading lower on Thursday despite CEO Chris Womack‘s claim that the company “had a solid start to the year.”

The company reported first-quarter operating revenue growth of 17% year over year (Y/Y) to $7.78 billion, beating the consensus of $7.17 billion. 

Operating revenues by segment:

Alabama Power $2.012 billion (+12.3% Y/Y)

Georgia Power $3.037 billion (+26.6% Y/Y)

Mississippi Power $420 million (+22.8% Y/Y)

Southern Power $567 million (+19.9% Y/Y) and

Southern Company Gas $1.839 billion (+7.7% Y/Y).

Kilowatt-Hour Sales rose by 4.2% Y/Y, with Retail sales up 3.4% Y/Y and Wholesale sales up 6.8% Y/Y.

In particular, kilowatt-Hour retail sales benefitted from growth in residential (+6.4% Y/Y), commercial (+3.3% Y/Y) and Industrial (+0.5% Y/Y) businesses. 

Total Regulated Utility Customers increased 0.8%, with Total Traditional Electric Operating Companies rising 1.1% and Southern Company Gas up 0.4% Y/Y. 

Operating expenses rose to $5.77 billion from $4.94 billion in the quarter.

Adjusted EPS of $1.23, beating the consensus of $1.20.

Adjusted EPS rose Y/Y, benefitting from higher utility revenues in the quarter.

Investors can gain exposure to the stock via SPDR Select Sector Fund – Utilities and Vanguard Utilities ETF .

Price Action: SO shares are down 0.96% at $91.01 premarket at the last check Thursday.

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