Earnings Per Share
The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted net earnings (loss) per common share for the years ended December 31 ($ in millions, except shares in thousands and per share data in dollars): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2017 | | 2016 | | 2015 | Earnings (loss) attributable to Centene Corporation: | | | | | | Earnings from continuing operations, net of tax | $ | 828 |
| | $ | 559 |
| | $ | 356 |
| Discontinued operations, net of tax | — |
| | 3 |
| | (1 | ) | Net earnings | $ | 828 |
| | $ | 562 |
| | $ | 355 |
| | | | | | | Shares used in computing per share amounts: | |
| | | | | Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | 172,427 |
| | 159,568 |
| | 119,101 |
| Common stock equivalents (as determined by applying the treasury stock method) | 4,275 |
| | 4,407 |
| | 3,965 |
| Weighted average number of common shares and potential dilutive common shares outstanding | 176,702 |
| | 163,975 |
| | 123,066 |
| | | | | | | Net earnings (loss) per common share attributable to Centene Corporation: | | | | | | Basic: | | | | | | Continuing operations | $ | 4.80 |
| | $ | 3.50 |
| | $ | 2.99 |
| Discontinued operations | — |
| | 0.02 |
| | (0.01 | ) | Basic earnings per common share | $ | 4.80 |
| | $ | 3.52 |
| | $ | 2.98 |
| | | | | | | Diluted: | | | | | | Continuing operations | $ | 4.69 |
| | $ | 3.41 |
| | $ | 2.89 |
| Discontinued operations | — |
| | 0.02 |
| | (0.01 | ) | Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 4.69 |
| | $ | 3.43 |
| | $ | 2.88 |
|
The calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per common share for 2017, 2016 and 2015 excludes the impact of 53 thousand shares, 126 thousand shares and 7 thousand shares, respectively, related to anti-dilutive stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units. |