Note 6: Earnings Per Share

Computation of Diluted EPS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
2019
2018
2017
Year ended December 31
(in millions, except per share data)
Net Income
Attributable
to Comcast
Corporation

Shares

Per Share
Amount

Net Income
Attributable
to Comcast
Corporation

Shares

Per Share
Amount

Net Income
Attributable
to Comcast
Corporation

Shares

Per Share
Amount

Basic EPS attributable to
   Comcast Corporation
   shareholders
$
13,057

4,548

$
2.87

$
11,731

4,584

$
2.56

$
22,735

4,708

$
4.83

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assumed exercise or issuance
   of shares relating to stock
   plans
 
62

 
 
56

 
 
78

 
Diluted EPS attributable to
   Comcast Corporation
   shareholders
$
13,057

4,610

$
2.83

$
11,731

4,640

$
2.53

$
22,735

4,786

$
4.75


Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders (“diluted EPS”) considers the impact of potentially dilutive securities using the treasury stock method. Our potentially dilutive securities include potential common shares related to our stock options and our restricted share units (“RSUs”). Diluted EPS excludes the impact of potential common shares related to our stock options in periods in which the combination of the option exercise price and the associated unrecognized compensation expense is greater than the average market price of our common stock. The amount of potential common shares related to our share-based compensation plans that were excluded from diluted EPS because their effect would have been antidilutive was not material in any of the periods presented.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2019Jan 30, 2020Showing above
2018Jan 31, 2019
2017Jan 31, 2018
2016Feb 3, 2017
2015Feb 5, 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.