Net Income Per Share
The computations for basic and diluted net income per share are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
202520242023
(in thousands, except per share data)
Numerator:
Net income$198,320 $173,680 $151,595 
Denominator:   
Basic weighted average shares36,142 36,799 36,879 
Effect of potentially dilutive shares:   
Stock options160 343 482 
Restricted stock units148 206 237 
Employee stock purchase plan
Diluted weighted average shares36,453 37,353 37,602 
Net income per share:
Basic$5.49 $4.72 $4.11 
Diluted$5.44 $4.65 $4.03 
Potentially dilutive shares not included in the calculation of diluted net income per share because doing so would be anti-dilutive are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
202520242023
(in thousands)
Stock options779635763
Restricted stock units11997140
Employee stock purchase plan77
Total anti-dilutive shares905732910

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.