HomeCompareSO vs MAIN

SO vs MAIN: Dividend Comparison 2026

SO yields 3.42% · MAIN yields 8.41% · See full DRIP projection below

vsEnter any two US tickers
After 10 years · $10,000 invested · DRIP enabled
🏆 MAIN wins by $35.4K in total portfolio value
10 years
SO
The Southern Company
3.42%
Share price
$84.20
Annual div
$2.88
5Y div CAGR
3.1%
Payout ratio
72%
After 10 yrs · $10,000 · DRIP
Portfolio value
$21.7K
Annual income
$613.85
Full SO calculator →
MAIN
Main Street Capital Corporation
8.41%
Share price
$52.80
Annual div
$4.44
5Y div CAGR
5.1%
Payout ratio
82%
After 10 yrs · $10,000 · DRIP
Portfolio value
$57.2K
Annual income
$2,355.47
Full MAIN calculator →

Portfolio growth — SO vs MAIN

Annual dividend income

MetricSOMAIN
Forward yield3.42%8.41%
Annual dividend / share$2.88$4.44
Payout ratio72%82%
1-year div growth3%3.7%
5-year div CAGR3.1%5.1%
Portfolio after 10y$21.7K$57.2K
Annual income after 10y$613.85$2,355.47
Total dividends collected$4.7K$15.5K
Payment frequencyquarterlymonthly
SectorUtilitiesBDC

Year-by-year: SO vs MAIN ($10,000, DRIP)

YearSO PortfolioSO Income/yrMAIN PortfolioMAIN Income/yrGap
1$10,833$352.65$12,124$883.80$1.3KMAIN
2$11,728$375.81$14,629$1,001.91$2.9KMAIN
3$12,692$400.29$17,573$1,130.42$4.9KMAIN
4$13,727$426.14$21,022$1,269.75$7.3KMAIN
5$14,839$453.42$25,049$1,420.29$10.2KMAIN
6$16,034$482.21$29,738$1,582.45$13.7KMAIN
7$17,316$512.58$35,182$1,756.64$17.9KMAIN
8$18,692$544.59$41,488$1,943.25$22.8KMAIN
9$20,167$578.32$48,775$2,142.72$28.6KMAIN
10$21,749$613.85$57,179$2,355.47$35.4KMAIN

SO vs MAIN: Complete Analysis 2026

SOUtilities

Southern Company is a Dividend Aristocrat with 23+ consecutive years of increases. It serves 9M+ customers across Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi through its regulated electric and gas utilities. Vogtle Unit 4 nuclear plant completion in 2024 adds decades of low-carbon baseload generation capacity.

Full SO Calculator →

MAINBDC

Main Street Capital is a Business Development Company providing debt and equity capital to lower middle market companies. It pays regular monthly dividends plus semi-annual special dividends. One of the few BDCs consistently trading at a premium to NAV, with an exceptional track record since its 2007 IPO. Often called the gold standard of BDCs.

Full MAIN Calculator →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SO or MAIN better for dividend income in 2026?
SO currently offers a 3.42% yield (2.88/share/year) while MAIN offers 8.41% (4.44/share/year). MAIN provides higher current income. However, MAIN has grown its dividend faster (5.1% 5Y CAGR), which may lead to better long-term income through compounding.
How much would $10,000 in SO vs MAIN earn per year?
With $10,000 invested today: SO pays approximately $342/year. MAIN pays approximately $841/year. With DRIP reinvestment over 10 years, these grow to $614/year (SO) and $2,355/year (MAIN).
Does SO or MAIN pay monthly dividends?
SO pays quarterly dividends. MAIN pays monthly dividends. MAIN pays monthly, which is preferred by investors who need regular cash flow.
📬

Get this SO vs MAIN comparison by email

Save your analysis + get weekly dividend insights. Free forever.

More comparisons

SO vs NEESO vs DUKSO vs DSO vs AEPSO vs EXCSO vs ARCCSO vs HTGCSO vs GBDCMAIN vs ARCCMAIN vs HTGCMAIN vs GBDCMAIN vs ORCC

⚠️ Educational purposes only. Not financial advice. All projections use historical data; actual results will vary.