Stockholder's Equity

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]

STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY

(D) 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 effects of both stock options and performance share award units were determined using the treasury stock method. Shares used to compute diluted earnings per share were as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2012	Three Months Ended March 31, 2011
	(in millions)
As reported shares	868	848
Effect of options and performance share award units	9	6
Diluted shares	877	854

Stock options and performance share award units that were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because they were anti-dilutive were 1 million and 7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, 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’	Preferred and Preference Stock of	Total     Stockholders’
	Issued	Treasury	Equity	Subsidiaries	Equity
	(in thousands)			(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2011	865,664	(539)	$17,578	$707	$18,285
Net income after dividends on preferred and preference stock	—	—	368	—	368
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—	—	6	—	6
Stock issued	3,571	—	157	—	157
Cash dividends on common stock	—	—	(410)	—	(410)
Other	—	(6)	—	—	—
Balance at March 31, 2012	869,235	(545)	$17,699	$707	$18,406
Balance at December 31, 2010	843,814	(474)	$16,202	$707	$16,909
Net income after dividends on preferred and preference stock	—	—	422	—	422
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—	—	4	—	4
Stock issued	5,784	—	222	—	222
Cash dividends on common stock	—	—	(385)	—	(385)
Other	—	(1)	—	—	—
Balance at March 31, 2011	849,598	(475)	$16,465	$707	$17,172