EARNINGS PER SHARE

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]

EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share was as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013		2012
Amounts attributable to Quest Diagnostics’ stockholders:
Income from continuing operations	$	115,491	$	156,123
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	20,288		2,995
Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics’ common stockholders	$	135,779	$	159,118
Income from continuing operations	$	115,491	$	156,123
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	365		594
Earnings available to Quest Diagnostics’ common stockholders – basic and diluted	$	115,126	$	155,529
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic	158,098		158,293
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and performance share units	1,308		1,413
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted	159,406		159,706
Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics’ common stockholders – basic:
Income from continuing operations	$	0.73	$	0.98
Income from discontinued operations	0.13		0.02
Net income	$	0.86	$	1.00
Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics’ common stockholders – diluted:
Income from continuing operations	$	0.72	$	0.97
Income from discontinued operations	0.13		0.02
Net income	$	0.85	$	0.99

The following securities were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share due to their antidilutive effect (shares in thousands):

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2013	2012
Stock options and performance share units	2,085	1,995