COMMUNITY FINANCIAL SYSTEM, INC. Earnings Per Share Disclosure
NOTE M: EARNINGS PER SHARE
The two class method is used in the calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share. Under the two class method, earnings available to common shareholders for the period are allocated between common shareholders and participating securities according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The Company has determined that all of its outstanding non-vested stock awards are participating securities as of December 31, 2025.
Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average of the common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted-average of the shares outstanding and the assumed exercise of stock options during the year. The dilutive effect of options is calculated using the treasury stock method of accounting. The treasury stock method determines the number of common shares that would be outstanding if all the dilutive options were exercised and the proceeds were used to repurchase common shares in the open market at the average market price for the applicable time period. At December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 weighted-average anti-dilutive stock options outstanding were immaterial, which were not included in the computation below.
The following is a reconciliation of basic to diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023.
(000’s omitted, except per share data) | 2025 | | 2024 | | 2023 | |||
Net income | $ | 210,455 | $ | 182,481 | $ | 131,924 | ||
Income attributable to unvested stock-based compensation awards |
| (873) |
| (740) |
| (447) | ||
Income available to common shareholders | $ | 209,582 | $ | 181,741 | $ | 131,477 | ||
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic |
| 52,700 |
| 52,755 |
| 53,601 | ||
Basic earnings per share | $ | 3.98 | $ | 3.44 | $ | 2.45 | ||
Net income | $ | 210,455 | $ | 182,481 | $ | 131,924 | ||
Income attributable to unvested stock-based compensation awards |
| (873) |
| (740) |
| (447) | ||
Income available to common shareholders | $ | 209,582 | $ | 181,741 | $ | 131,477 | ||
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic |
| 52,700 |
| 52,755 |
| 53,601 | ||
Assumed exercise of stock options |
| 121 |
| 128 |
| 124 | ||
Weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted |
| 52,821 |
| 52,883 |
| 53,725 | ||
Diluted earnings per share | $ | 3.97 | $ | 3.44 | $ | 2.45 | ||
Cash dividends declared per share | $ | 1.86 | $ | 1.82 | $ | 1.78 | ||
Stock Repurchase Program
At its December 2025 meeting, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) approved a new stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase, at the discretion of senior management, of up to 2,633,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, in accordance with securities and banking laws and regulations, during the twelve-month period starting January 1, 2026. Any repurchased shares will be used for general corporate purposes, including those related to stock plan activities. The timing and extent of repurchases will depend on market conditions and other corporate considerations as determined at the Company’s discretion.
At its December 2024 meeting, the Board approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase, at the discretion of senior management, of up to 2,628,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, in accordance with securities and banking laws and regulations, during the twelve-month period starting January 1, 2025. There were 206,054 shares of treasury stock purchases made under this authorization during 2025, with an average price paid per share of $53.34.
At its December 2023 meeting, the Board approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase, at the discretion of senior management, of up to 2,697,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, in accordance with securities and banking laws and regulations, during the twelve-month period starting January 1, 2024. There were 1,000,000 shares of treasury stock purchases made under this authorization during 2024 with an average price paid per share of $45.84.
At its December 2022 meeting, the Board approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase, at the discretion of senior management, of up to 2,697,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, in accordance with securities and banking laws and regulations, during the twelve-month period starting January 1, 2023. There were 607,161 shares of treasury stock purchases made under this authorization during 2023 with an average price paid per share of $49.44.
Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Feb 27, 2026 | Showing above |
| 2024 | Feb 28, 2025 | |
| 2023 | Feb 29, 2024 | |
| 2022 | Mar 1, 2023 | |
| 2021 | Mar 1, 2022 | |
| 2020 | Mar 1, 2021 | |
| 2019 | Mar 2, 2020 | |
| 2018 | Mar 1, 2019 | |
| 2017 | Mar 1, 2018 | |
| 2016 | Mar 1, 2017 | |
| 2015 | Feb 29, 2016 | |
About Earnings Per Share Disclosures
The earnings per share disclosure breaks down the calculation from net income to both basic and diluted EPS, revealing the full impact of a company's capital structure on per-share economics. The reconciliation between basic and diluted share counts exposes how many stock options, RSUs, convertible securities, and warrants are potentially dilutive to existing shareholders.
Key signals: a widening gap between basic and diluted shares indicates growing dilution from equity compensation or convertible instruments. Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the diluted calculation deserve attention — they represent latent dilution that will materialize if the stock price rises. Watch for the effect of share buybacks on per-share metrics: EPS growth driven primarily by repurchases rather than income growth signals weakening fundamentals. Compare year-over-year changes in the diluted share count against equity compensation expense to assess whether management is effectively managing dilution.