EARNINGS PER SHARE

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Basic earnings per share ("EPS") was 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 was 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 dilutive share base for the three months ended March 31, 2020 excluded approximately

124,888 shares related to stock options that would have an antidilutive effect on the computation of diluted earnings per share. There were no such shares for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

The following table sets forth the computation of diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020:


	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2021	March 31, 2020

	(in thousands)

Basic weighted-average number of shares outstanding	296,425	299,388
Plus: Dilutive effect of stock options and other share-based awards	1,246	1,450
Diluted weighted-average number of shares outstanding	297,671	300,838