20. Earnings per Share

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the information used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share:
 Years Ended December 31,
 202520242023
Earnings from continuing operations$1,097,429 $1,399,968 $943,864 
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net(3,473)1,297,158 112,964 
Net earnings$1,093,956 $2,697,126 $1,056,828 
Basic earnings per common share:
Earnings from continuing operations$8.01 $10.16 $6.75 
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net$(0.03)$9.42 $0.81 
Net earnings$7.99 $19.58 $7.56 
Weighted average basic shares outstanding136,935,000 137,735,000 139,848,000 
Diluted earnings per common share:
Earnings from continuing operations$7.97 $10.09 $6.71 
(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net$(0.03)$9.35 $0.80 
Net earnings$7.94 $19.45 $7.52 
Weighted average shares outstanding
137,777,000 138,696,000 140,599,000 
 
The following table is a reconciliation of the share amounts used in computing earnings per share:
 Years Ended December 31,
 202520242023
Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic
136,935,000 137,735,000 139,848,000 
Dilutive effect of assumed exercise of SARs and vesting of PSAs and RSUs
842,000 961,000 751,000 
Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted
137,777,000 138,696,000 140,599,000 
Diluted earnings per share amounts are computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and, if dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of SARs and vesting of PSAs and RSUs, as determined using the treasury stock method. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, the weighted average number of anti-dilutive potential common shares excluded from the calculation above totaled 41,000, 48,000 and 48,000, respectively.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 13, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 14, 2025
2023Feb 9, 2024
2022Feb 10, 2023
2021Feb 11, 2022
2020Feb 12, 2021
2019Feb 14, 2020
2018Feb 15, 2019
2017Feb 9, 2018
2016Feb 10, 2017
2015Feb 12, 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.