EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
 202520242023
 (In millions, except for share and per share data)
Numerator:  
Net earnings$1,828 $1,955 $1,770 
Denominator: 
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding488,144,333 501,238,422 507,362,913 
Dilutive effect of share-based awards1,681,315 1,857,664 2,356,843 
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding489,825,648 503,096,086 509,719,756 
Basic earnings per share$3.74 $3.90 $3.49 
Diluted earnings per share$3.73 $3.89 $3.47 

The number of securities that were not included in the diluted earnings per share calculation because the effect would have been anti-dilutive was approximately 4,176,838, 4,611,724 and 2,373,000 for fiscal 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Dividends declared were $1.0 billion, $1.0 billion and $999 million in fiscal 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Included in dividends declared for each year were dividends declared but not yet paid at year-end of approximately $258 million, $251 million and $253 million in fiscal 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Aug 22, 2025Showing above
2024Aug 28, 2024
2023Aug 25, 2023
2022Aug 26, 2022
2021Aug 30, 2021
2020Aug 26, 2020
2019Aug 26, 2019
2018Aug 27, 2018
2017Aug 30, 2017
2016Aug 30, 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.