Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Equity [Abstract]

Earnings per Share

Shares used to compute diluted earnings per share were as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30, 2015	Three Months Ended September 30, 2014	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
	(in millions)
As reported shares	910	898	910	894
Effect of options and performance share award units	2	4	3	4
Diluted shares	912	902	913	898

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 Interest(*)
	(in thousands)			(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2014	908,502	(725	)	$	19,949		$	756		$	221		$	20,926
Net income after dividends on preferred and preference stock	—	—		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 interest	—	—		—			—			429			429
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	—	—		—			—			(13		)	(13		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—	—		—			—			13			13
Other	—	(8	)	(8		)	3			—			(5		)
Balance at September 30, 2015	912,271	(3,332	)	$	20,664		$	609		$	650		$	21,923
Balance at December 31, 2013	892,733	(5,647	)	$	19,008		$	756		$	—		$	19,764
Net income after dividends on preferred and preference stock	—	—		1,680			—			—			1,680
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—	—		6			—			—			6
Treasury stock re-issued	—	4,996		225			—			—			225
Stock issued	7,781	—		332			—			—			332
Stock repurchased, at cost	—	—		(5		)	—			—			(5		)
Cash dividends on common stock	—	—		(1,390		)	—			—			(1,390		)
Other	—	(51	)	1			—			—			1
Balance at September 30, 2014	900,514	(702	)	$	19,857		$	756		$	—		$	20,613

(*) Primarily related to Southern Power Company.