8-KOther EventsExhibits & Filings

SOUTHERN CO 8-K Report, Corporate Update (Dec 31, 2008)

Filed December 31, 2008For Securities:SOSOJESOJFSOJCSOJDSOMN

Summary

Southern Company (SO) filed a Current Report on Form 8-K on December 30, 2008, primarily to furnish XBRL-formatted financial data. This filing includes unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income, cash flows, balance sheets, and comprehensive income for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008. The company explicitly states that this XBRL data is for testing purposes and should not be relied upon by investors for making investment decisions, emphasizing that the official filed versions of financial statements should be consulted. This report serves as a procedural update related to the adoption and testing of XBRL technology by the SEC. Investors should note that the information provided in this 8-K, including Exhibit 100, is not considered "filed" under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and therefore does not carry the same liability or implications as official filings. The company advises investors to rely on the November 6, 2008, 10-Q filing for authoritative financial information.

Key Highlights

  • 1Southern Company (SO) filed an 8-K on December 30, 2008, to provide XBRL-formatted financial data.
  • 2The filing contains unaudited financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2008.
  • 3The company explicitly states the XBRL data is unaudited and for testing purposes only.
  • 4Investors are cautioned not to rely on this XBRL data for investment decisions.
  • 5Official SEC filings, such as the 10-Q filed on November 6, 2008, should be the primary source of financial information.
  • 6The furnished information in this 8-K is not deemed "filed" and does not subject the company to liability under Section 18 of the Exchange Act.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main purpose of this filing is to furnish financial statements from the company's most recent 10-Q filing (dated September 30, 2008) in XBRL format for testing purposes. It is not intended to provide new or updated financial information for investment decisions.

No, investors are explicitly advised by Southern Company not to rely on the XBRL-formatted financial information provided in this 8-K for making investment decisions. The company states this data is unaudited and for technology testing only.

Investors should continue to rely on the official, publicly filed versions of Southern Company's financial statements. Specifically, the company refers to its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 6, 2008, for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008.

No, this filing does not present new or updated financial information. It re-presents previously disclosed unaudited financial data in a different format (XBRL) for testing purposes, as stated by the company.