NET EARNINGS PER SHARE 
Basic and Dilutive Net Earnings Per Share Reconciliations
 Years Ended February 28 or 29
(In thousands except per share data)202620252024
Net earnings$247,290 $500,556 $479,204 
Weighted average common shares outstanding147,258 155,330 158,216 
Dilutive potential common shares:   
Stock options7 372 272 
Stock-settled restricted stock units348 359 219 
Weighted average common shares and dilutive   
potential common shares147,613 156,061 158,707 
Basic net earnings per share$1.68 $3.22 $3.03 
Diluted net earnings per share$1.68 $3.21 $3.02 
 
Certain options to purchase shares of common stock were outstanding and not included in the calculation of diluted net earnings per share because their inclusion would have been antidilutive.  On a weighted average basis, for fiscal 2026, fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, options to purchase 8,380,083 shares, 5,266,616 shares and 5,791,423 shares of common stock, respectively, were not included.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2026Apr 15, 2026Showing above
2025Apr 11, 2025
2024Apr 15, 2024
2023Apr 13, 2023

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.