Stockholders' Equity

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 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 March 31, 2016	Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	(in millions)
As reported shares	916	910
Effect of options and performance share award units	6	5
Diluted shares	922	915

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 months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

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	—	—		485			—		—			485
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—	—		(114		)	—		—			(114		)
Stock issued	6,572	—		270			—		—			270
Stock-based compensation	—	—		60			—		—			60
Cash dividends on common stock	—	—		(497		)	—		—			(497		)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	—	—		—			—		129			129
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	—	—		—			—		(4		)	(4		)
Purchase of membership interests from noncontrolling interests	—	—		—			—		(129		)	(129		)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—	—		—			—		1			1
Other	—	(35	)	1			—		—			1
Balance at March 31, 2016	921,645	(3,387	)	$	20,797		$	609	$	778		$	22,184
Balance at December 31, 2014	908,502	(725	)	$	19,949		$	756	$	221		$	20,926
Consolidated net income attributable to Southern Company	—	—		508			—		—			508
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—	—		(15		)	—		—			(15		)
Stock issued	3,094	—		112			—		—			112
Stock-based compensation	—	—		53			—		—			53
Stock repurchased, at cost	—	(2,599	)	(115		)	—		—			(115		)
Cash dividends on common stock	—	—		(478		)	—		—			(478		)
Other	—	(11	)	3			—		—			3
Balance at March 31, 2015	911,596	(3,335	)	$	20,017		$	756	$	221		$	20,994

(*) Primarily related to Southern Power Company.