Stockholders' Equity

9 Months Ended

Sep. 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 September 30, 2016	Three Months Ended September 30, 2015	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
	(in millions)
As reported shares	968	910	940	910
Effect of options and performance share award units	7	2	5	3
Diluted shares	975	912	945	913

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 andnine months ended September 30, 2016 and were 15 million and 1 million for the three and nine months ended September 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	—	—		2,226			—			—			2,226
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—	—		(95		)	—			—			(95		)
Stock issued	65,725	2,599		3,265			—			—			3,265
Stock-based compensation	—	—		119			—			—			119
Cash dividends on common stock	—	—		(1,553		)	—			—			(1,553		)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	—	—		—			—			357			357
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	—	—		—			—			(21		)	(21		)
Purchase of membership interests from noncontrolling interests	—	—		—			—			(129		)	(129		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—	—		—			—			36			36
Other	—	(46	)	(7		)	—			—			(7		)
Balance at September 30, 2016	980,798	(799	)	$	24,547		$	609		$	1,024		$	26,180
Balance at December 31, 2014	908,502	(725	)	$	19,949		$	756		$	221		$	20,926
Consolidated net income attributable to Southern Company	—	—		2,096			—			—			2,096
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—	—		(7		)	—			—			(7		)
Stock issued	3,769	—		136			—			—			136
Stock-based compensation	—	—		78			—			—			78
Stock repurchased, at cost	—	(2,599	)	(115		)	—			—			(115		)
Cash dividends on common stock	—	—		(1,465		)	—			—			(1,465		)
Preference stock redemption	—	—		—			(150		)	—			(150		)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	—	—		—			—			429			429
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	—	—		—			—			(13		)	(13		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—	—		—			—			13			13
Other	—	(8	)	(8		)	3			—			(5		)
Balance at September 30, 2015	912,271	(3,332	)	$	20,664		$	609		$	650		$	21,923

(*) Primarily related to Southern Power Company and excludes redeemable noncontrolling interests. See Note 10 to the financial statements of Southern Power in Item 8 of the Form 10-K for additional information.