Stockholders' Equity

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

Equity [Abstract]

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Earnings per Share

For Southern Company, the only difference in computing basic and diluted earnings per share is attributable to awards outstanding under the stock option and performance share plans. See Note 8 to the financial statements of Southern Company in Item 8 of the Form 10-K for information on the stock option and performance share plans. The effect of both stock options and performance share award units was determined using the treasury stock method. Shares used to compute diluted earnings per share were as follows:

	Three Months Ended June 30, 2016	Three Months Ended June 30, 2015	Six Months Ended June 30, 2016	Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
	(in millions)
As reported shares	934	909	925	910
Effect of options and performance share award units	6	3	6	4
Diluted shares	940	912	931	914

Stock options and performance share award units that were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because they were anti-dilutive were immaterial for the three andsix months ended June 30, 2016, respectively, and were 15 million and 1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, respectively.

Changes in Stockholders' Equity

The following table presents year-to-date changes in stockholders' equity of Southern Company:

	Number of Common Shares			Common Stockholders' Equity			Preferred and Preference Stock of Subsidiaries						Total Stockholders' Equity
	Issued	Treasury								Noncontrolling Interests(*)
	(in thousands)			(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2015	915,073	(3,352	)	$	20,592		$	609		$	781		$	21,982
Consolidated net income attributable to Southern Company	—	—		1,097			—			—			1,097
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—	—		(117		)	—			—			(117		)
Stock issued	27,297	2,599		1,383			—			—			1,383
Stock-based compensation	—	—		82			—			—			82
Cash dividends on common stock	—	—		(1,023		)	—			—			(1,023		)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	—	—		—			—			169			169
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	—	—		—			—			(10		)	(10		)
Purchase of membership interests from noncontrolling interests	—	—		—			—			(129		)	(129		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—	—		—			—			11			11
Other	—	(19	)	1			—			—			1
Balance at June 30, 2016	942,370	(772	)	$	22,015		$	609		$	822		$	23,446
Balance at December 31, 2014	908,502	(725	)	$	19,949		$	756		$	221		$	20,926
Consolidated net income attributable to Southern Company	—	—		1,138			—			—			1,138
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—	—		7			—			—			7
Stock issued	3,222	—		117			—			—			117
Stock-based compensation	—	—		66			—			—			66
Stock repurchased, at cost	—	(2,599	)	(115		)	—			—			(115		)
Cash dividends on common stock	—	—		(972		)	—			—			(972		)
Preference stock redemption	—	—		—			(150		)	—			(150		)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	—	—		—			—			135			135
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	—	—		—			—			(5		)	(5		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—	—		—			—			4			4
Other	—	25		(8		)	3			—			(5		)
Balance at June 30, 2015	911,724	(3,299	)	$	20,182		$	609		$	355		$	21,146

(*) Primarily related to Southern Power Company.