v3.6.0.2
Equity
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Equity [Abstract]  
Equity
Note 12: Equity
Common Stock
In the aggregate, holders of our Class A common stock have 662/3% of the voting power of our common stock and holders of our Class B common stock have 331/3% of the voting power of our common stock. Each share of our Class B common stock is entitled to 15 votes. The number of votes held by each share of our Class A common stock depends on the number of shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding at any given time. The 331/3% aggregate voting power of our Class B common stock cannot be diluted by additional issuances of any other class of common stock. Our Class B common stock is convertible, share for share, into Class A common stock, subject to certain restrictions.
Class A Special Common Stock Reclassification
In December 2015, our shareholders approved a proposal to amend and restate our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in order to reclassify each issued share of our Class A Special common stock into one share of our Class A common stock. This reclassification became effective as of the close of business on December 11, 2015, at which time our Class A Special common stock was no longer outstanding and ceased trading on the NASDAQ under the symbol CMCSK and instead became listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol CMCSA. There was no impact on basic and diluted EPS or the carrying value of total common stock as presented in our consolidated balance sheet because it was a one-for-one stock exchange.
Shares of Common Stock Outstanding
 
 
 
(in millions)
A

A Special

B

Balance, December 31, 2013
2,138

459

9

Stock compensation plans
13

—

—

Repurchases and retirements of common stock
(22
)
(59
)
—

Employee stock purchase plans
2

—

—

Balance, December 31, 2014
2,131

400

9

Stock compensation plans
12

—

—

Repurchases and retirements of common stock
(62
)
(54
)
—

Employee stock purchase plans
2

—

—

Reclassification of Class A Special common stock
346

(346
)
—

Other
4

—

—

Balance, December 31, 2015
2,433

—

9

Stock compensation plans
11

—

—

Repurchases and retirements of common stock
(81
)
—

—

Employee stock purchase plans
3

—

—

Balance, December 31, 2016
2,366

—

9


Share Repurchases
Effective January 1, 2017, our Board of Directors increased our share repurchase program authorization to a total of $12 billion, which does not have an expiration date. Under the authorization, we may repurchase shares in the open market or in private transactions.
Share Repurchases
 
 
 
Year ended December 31 (in millions)
2016

2015

2014

Cash consideration
$
5,000

$
6,750

$
4,251

Shares repurchased
81

116

81


Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
 
December 31 (in millions)
2016

2015

Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities
$
—

$
1

Deferred gains (losses) on cash flow hedges
(14
)
(46
)
Unrecognized gains (losses) on employee benefit obligations
219

6

Cumulative translation adjustments
(107
)
(135
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred taxes
$
98

$
(174
)