EARNINGS PER SHARE

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Basic earnings per share ("EPS") 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 EPS 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 EPS. 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 EPS.

The following table sets forth the computation of diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017:



	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2018	March 31, 2017

	(in thousands)

Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding	159,321	152,304
Plus: Dilutive effect of stock options and other share-based awards	714	951
Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding	160,035	153,255