EARNINGS PER SHARE

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

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, 2019 and 2018:



	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2019	March 31, 2018

	(in thousands)

Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding	157,519	159,321
Plus: Dilutive effect of stock options and other share-based awards	499	714
Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding	158,018	160,035