EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Global Payments by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period. Earnings available to common shareholders is the same as reported net income attributable to Global Payments for all periods presented.

Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Global Payments by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the period, including the effect of share-based awards that would have a dilutive effect on earnings per share. All stock options with an exercise price lower than the average market share price of our common stock for the period are assumed to have a dilutive effect on earnings per share.

The following table sets forth the computation of diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016:



	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2017	September 30, 2016	September 30, 2017	September 30, 2016

	(in thousands)

Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding	154,560	153,668	153,138	143,794
Plus: Dilutive effect of stock options and other share-based awards	842	862	941	937
Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding	155,402	154,530	154,079	144,731