Common Stock (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Common Stock, Number of Shares, Par Value and Other Disclosures [Abstract]

Summary Of Components Used To Calculate Basic And Diluted Income Per Share

(In thousands, except per share data)	2013		2012		2011
Basic income per common share:
Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.	$	260,961	$	269,329	$	256,343
Less income allocated to nonvested restricted stockholders	2,939		2,563		1,846
Net income available to common stockholders	$	258,022	$	266,766	$	254,497
Weighted average common shares outstanding	94,585		96,195		99,086
Basic income per common share	$	2.73	$	2.77	$	2.57
Diluted income per common share:
Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.	$	260,961	$	269,329	$	256,343
Less income allocated to nonvested restricted stockholders	2,931		2,562		1,842
Net income available to common stockholders	$	258,030	$	266,767	$	254,501
Weighted average common shares outstanding	94,585		96,195		99,086
Net effect of the assumed exercise of stock-based awards -- based on the treasury stock method using the average market price for the respective periods	398		294		362
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding	94,983		96,489		99,448
Diluted income per common share	$	2.72	$	2.76	$	2.56

Schedule Of Activity In The Outstanding Shares Of The Company's Common Stock

The table below shows activity in the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock during the past three years. Shares in the table below are presented on an historical basis and have not been restated for the annual 5% stock dividends.

	Years Ended December 31
(In thousands)	2013		2012		2011
Shares outstanding at January 1	91,414		88,952		86,624
Issuance of stock:
Awards and sales under employee and director plans	653		837		724
5% stock dividend	4,565		4,352		4,231
Summit acquisition	1,000		—		—
Purchases of treasury stock	(1,742	)	(2,716	)	(2,622	)
Other	(9	)	(11	)	(5	)
Shares outstanding at December 31	95,881		91,414		88,952