Stockholders' Equity

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

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 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, 2014	Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
	(in millions)
As reported shares	890	870
Effect of options and performance share award units	3	5
Diluted shares	893	875

Stock options and performance share award units that were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because they were anti-dilutive were 17 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and were immaterial for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

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
	(in thousands)						(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2013	892,733	(5,647	)	$	19,008		$	756	$	19,764
Net income after dividends on preferred and preference stock	—	—		351			—		351
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—	—		2			—		2
Treasury stock re-issued	—	2,404		111			—		111
Stock issued	1,340	—		53			—		53
Stock repurchased, at cost	—	—		(4		)	—		(4		)
Cash dividends on common stock	—	—		(451		)	—		(451		)
Other	—	(18	)	—			—		—
Balance at March 31, 2014	894,073	(3,261	)	$	19,070		$	756	$	19,826
Balance at December 31, 2012	877,803	(10,035	)	$	18,297		$	707	$	19,004
Net income after dividends on preferred and preference stock	—	—		81			—		81
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—	—		4			—		4
Stock issued	2,638	—		99			—		99
Stock repurchased, at cost	—	—		(18		)	—		(18		)
Cash dividends on common stock	—	—		(426		)	—		(426		)
Other	—	(15	)	—			—		—
Balance at March 31, 2013	880,441	(10,050	)	$	18,037		$	707	$	18,744