Net Income Per Share
Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the fiscal period. Diluted net income per share is computed by giving effect to all potential weighted average dilutive common stock, including options and restricted stock units. The dilutive effect of outstanding awards is reflected in diluted net income per share by application of the treasury stock method.
A reconciliation of the denominator used in the calculation of basic and diluted net income per share is as follows (in millions): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 4 | | | Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
| | | | | | 2026 | | 2025 | | 2024 |
| Numerator: | | | | | | | | | |
| Net income | | | | | $ | 7,457 | | | $ | 6,197 | | | $ | 4,136 | |
| Denominator: | | | | | | | | | |
| Weighted-average shares outstanding for basic net income per share | | | | | 950 | | | 962 | | | 974 | |
| Effect of dilutive securities: | | | | | | | | | |
| Employee stock awards | | | | | 6 | | | 12 | | | 10 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Weighted-average shares outstanding for diluted net income per share | | | | | 956 | | | 974 | | | 984 | |
The weighted-average number of shares outstanding used in the computation of diluted net income per share does not include the effect of the following potentially outstanding common stock. The effects of these potentially outstanding shares were not included in the calculation of diluted net income per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive (in millions): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Fiscal Year Ended January 31, |
| | | | | | 2026 | | 2025 | | 2024 |
| Employee stock awards | | | | | 9 | | | 7 | | | 13 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
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.