Note 6 Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS common shareholders is computed by dividing Net income (loss) attributable to TDS common shareholders by the weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS common shareholders is computed by dividing Net income (loss) attributable to TDS common shareholders by the weighted average number of Common Shares outstanding during the period adjusted to include the effects of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities primarily include incremental shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and the vesting of performance and restricted stock units, as calculated using the treasury stock method.
The amounts used in computing basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS common shareholders were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,202520242023
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)   
Net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to TDS common shareholders$48,179 $(141,396)$(619,634)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to TDS common shareholders(123,640)44,466 50,400 
Net income (loss) attributable to TDS common shareholders used in basic earnings (loss) per share$(75,461)$(96,930)$(569,234)
Adjustments to compute diluted earnings (loss):
Noncontrolling interest adjustment(2,193)— (104)
Net income (loss) attributable to TDS common shareholders used in diluted earnings (loss) per share$(77,654)$(96,930)$(569,338)
Weighted average number of shares used in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Common Shares107,642 106,180 105,290 
Series A Common Shares7,537 7,534 7,460 
Total115,179 113,714 112,750 
Effects of dilutive securities3,384 — — 
Weighted average number of shares used in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share118,563 113,714 112,750 
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to TDS common shareholders$0.42 $(1.24)$(5.50)
Basic earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations attributable to TDS common shareholders(1.08)0.39 0.45 
Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS common shareholders$(0.66)$(0.85)$(5.05)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to TDS common shareholders$0.39 $(1.24)$(5.50)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations attributable to TDS common shareholders(1.04)0.39 0.45 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS common shareholders$(0.65)$(0.85)$(5.05)
Certain Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options or vesting of performance and restricted stock units were not included in weighted average diluted shares outstanding for the calculation of Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS common shareholders because their effects were antidilutive. The number of such Common Shares excluded was less than 0.1 million, 5.7 million and 5.5 million for 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 24, 2026Showing above
2015Feb 24, 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.