Common Stock (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

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)	2014		2013		2012
Basic income per common share:
Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.	$	261,754	$	260,961	$	269,329
Less preferred stock dividends	4,050		—		—
Net income available to common shareholders	257,704		260,961		269,329
Less income allocated to nonvested restricted stock	3,332		2,939		2,563
Net income allocated to common stock	$	254,372	$	258,022	$	266,766
Weighted average common shares outstanding	96,984		99,315		101,005
Basic income per common share	$	2.62	$	2.60	$	2.64
Diluted income per common share:
Net income available to common shareholders	$	257,704	$	260,961	$	269,329
Less income allocated to nonvested restricted stock	3,323		2,931		2,562
Net income allocated to common stock	$	254,381	$	258,030	$	266,767
Weighted average common shares outstanding	96,984		99,315		101,005
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	400		417		308
Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding	97,384		99,732		101,313
Diluted income per common share	$	2.61	$	2.59	$	2.63

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)	2014		2013		2012
Shares outstanding at January 1	95,881		91,414		88,952
Issuance of stock:
Awards and sales under employee and director plans	549		653		837
5% stock dividend	4,586		4,565		4,352
Summit acquisition	—		1,000		—
Purchases of treasury stock under accelerated stock buyback program	(3,055	)	—		—
Other purchases of treasury stock	(1,626	)	(1,742	)	(2,716	)
Other	(8	)	(9	)	(11	)
Shares outstanding at December 31	96,327		95,881		91,414