Stockholder's Equity

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 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 June 30, 2012	Three Months Ended June 30, 2011	Six Months Ended June 30, 2012	Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
	(in millions)
As reported shares	872	855	870	851
Effect of options and performance share award units	8	7	9	7
Diluted shares	880	862	879	858

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 both the three months and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011.

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	—	—	991	—	991
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—	—	(1)	—	(1)
Stock issued	9,697	—	395	—	395
Cash dividends on common stock	—	—	(837)	—	(837)
Other	—	(26)	(2)	—	(2)
Balance at June 30, 2012	875,361	(565)	$18,124	$707	$18,831
Balance at December 31, 2010	843,814	(474)	$16,202	$707	$16,909
Net income after dividends on preferred and preference stock	—	—	1,026	—	1,026
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—	—	8	—	8
Stock issued	14,337	—	533	—	533
Cash dividends on common stock	—	—	(787)	—	(787)
Other	—	(25)	—	—	—
Balance at June 30, 2011	858,151	(499)	$16,982	$707	$17,689