Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Reconciliation of NRG's basic and diluted earnings per share

The reconciliation of NRG's basic earnings/(loss) per share to diluted earnings/(loss) per share is shown in the following table:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
	(In millions, except per share amounts)
Basic (loss)/earnings per share attributable to NRG common stockholders
Net (loss)/income attributable to NRG Energy, Inc.	$	(774	)	$	(6,382	)	$	134
Dividends for preferred shares	5			20			9
Dividends for refinancing of preferred shares	—			—			47
Gain on redemption of 2.822% redeemable perpetual preferred shares	(78		)	—			—
(Loss)/Income Available to Common Stockholders	$	(701	)	$	(6,402	)	$	78
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	316			329			334
(Loss)/Earnings per weighted average common share —basic	$	(2.22	)	$	(19.46	)	$	0.23
Diluted (loss)/earnings per share attributable to NRG common stockholders
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	316			329			334
Incremental shares attributable to the issuance of equity compensation (treasury stock method)	—			—			5
Total dilutive shares	316			329			339
(Loss)/Earnings per weighted average common share — diluted	$	(2.22	)	$	(19.46	)	$	0.23

Summary of NRG's outstanding equity instruments that are anti-dilutive and were not included in the computation of the Company's diluted earnings per share

The following table summarizes NRG's outstanding equity instruments that are anti-dilutive and were not included in the computation of the Company's diluted earnings/(loss) per share:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016	2015	2014
	(In millions of shares)
Equity compensation	5	6	1
Embedded derivative of 2.822% redeemable perpetual preferred stock	—	16	16
Total	5	22	17