RECONCILIATION OF WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
Below is a reconciliation of basic to diluted shares outstanding:
Year Ended December 31,
202520242023
Basic179.1 181.8 183.2 
Dilutive effect of shares issuable under stock-based compensation plans0.8 0.9 0.8 
Diluted179.9 182.7 184.0 
Antidilutive options to purchase common shares and restricted stock as well as contingently issuable restricted stock which are excluded from the table above0.2 0.4 0.5 
The calculation of basic shares outstanding is based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the reporting period. The calculation of diluted EPS requires certain assumptions regarding the use of both cash proceeds and assumed proceeds that would be received upon the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock outstanding as of December 31, 2025, 2024 and 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.