Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Equity [Abstract]

Earnings per Share

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

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.