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Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | Total | Series A Common and Common Shares | Additional Paid-In Capital | Treasury Shares | Retained Earnings | Total U.S. Cellular Shareholders' Equity | Noncontrolling Interests
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2008 | $ 3,247,906 | $ 88,074 | $ 1,340,146 | $ (50,258) | $ 1,821,377 | $ 3,199,339 | $ 48,567
Add (deduct) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders | 209,547 |  |  |  | 209,547 | 209,547 |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity | 21,630 |  |  |  |  |  | 21,630
Repurchase of Common Shares | (33,585) |  |  | (33,585) |  | (33,585) |
Incentive and compensation plans | 500 |  | 1,445 | 14,227 | (15,172) | 500 |
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for noncontrolling interest purchases | (198) |  | (128) |  |  | (128) | (70)
Stock-based compensation awards | 16,362 |  | 16,362 |  |  | 16,362 |
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards | (1,503) |  | (1,503) |  |  | (1,503) |
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | (18,426) |  |  |  |  |  | (18,426)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2009 | 3,442,233 | 88,074 | 1,356,322 | (69,616) | 2,015,752 | 3,390,532 | 51,701
Add (deduct) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders | 136,074 |  |  |  | 136,074 | 136,074 |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity | 22,992 |  |  |  |  |  | 22,992
Repurchase of Common Shares | (52,827) |  |  | (52,827) |  | (52,827) |
Incentive and compensation plans | 1,114 |  | 606 | 16,827 | (16,319) | 1,114 |
Adjust investment in subsidiaries for noncontrolling interest purchases | (5,812) |  | (4,268) |  |  | (4,268) | (1,544)
Stock-based compensation awards | 18,044 |  | 18,044 |  |  | 18,044 |
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards | (2,217) |  | (2,217) |  |  | (2,217) |
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | (19,631) |  |  |  |  |  | (19,631)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2010 | 3,539,970 | 88,074 | 1,368,487 | (105,616) | 2,135,507 | 3,486,452 | 53,518
Add (deduct) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income attributable to U.S. Cellular shareholders | 175,041 |  |  |  | 175,041 | 175,041 |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests classified as equity | 23,532 |  |  |  |  |  | 23,532
Repurchase of Common Shares | (62,294) |  |  | (62,294) |  | (62,294) |
Incentive and compensation plans | 1,965 |  | 57 | 15,093 | (13,185) | 1,965 |
Stock-based compensation awards | 20,183 |  | 20,183 |  |  | 20,183 |
Tax windfall (shortfall) from stock awards | (1,386) |  | (1,386) |  |  | (1,386) |
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | (21,094) |  |  |  |  |  | (21,094)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2011 | $ 3,675,917 | $ 88,074 | $ 1,387,341 | $ (152,817) | $ 2,297,363 | $ 3,619,961 | $ 55,956

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