Stockholders' Equity

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

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 June 30, 2013	Three Months Ended June 30, 2012	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013	Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
	(in millions)
As reported shares	874	872	872	870
Effect of options and performance share award units	5	8	5	9
Diluted shares	879	880	877	879

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 and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

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, 2012	877,803	(10,035	)	$	18,297		$	707	$	19,004
Net income after dividends on preferred and preference stock	—	—		378			—		378
Other comprehensive income (loss)	—	—		9			—		9
Stock issued	6,144	—		244			49		293
Stock repurchased, at cost	—	—		(18		)	—		(18		)
Cash dividends on common stock	—	—		(870		)	—		(870		)
Other	—	(9	)	—			—		—
Balance at June 30, 2013	883,947	(10,044	)	$	18,040		$	756	$	18,796
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

In July 2012, Southern Company announced a program to repurchase shares to partially offset the incremental shares issued under its employee and director stock plans. As of December 31, 2012, Southern Company had repurchased a total of approximately 9 million shares at a total cost of $430 million. There were no repurchases under this program in the first six months of 2013 and no further repurchases under the program are anticipated.