– Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share information):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Numerator:
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share – Net income available to common shareholders	$	41,665	$	29,784	$	92,093	$	66,262
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share – weighted average shares outstanding		39,309		39,825		39,480		39,560
Effect of dilutive securities– Employee and director stock options and restricted share awards		1,079		1,321		1,155		1,270
Denominator for diluted earnings per share – adjusted weighted average shares outstanding and assumed conversions		40,388		41,146		40,635		40,830
Basic earnings per common share	$	1.06	$	.75	$	2.33	$	1.68
Diluted earnings per common share and common share equivalents	$	1.03	$	.72	$	2.27	$	1.62

Options to purchase shares of common stock that were outstanding for the

three

months and

nine

months ended

September 30, 2018

and

2017

that were

not

included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive are as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Weighted average anti-dilutive options		455		406		432		599