EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

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



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Amounts attributable to Quest Diagnostics’ stockholders:
Income from continuing operations	$	402,737	$	158,541	$	670,893	$	489,889
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes	2,406		4,541		35,497		10,016
Net income attributable to Quest Diagnostics’ common stockholders	$	405,143	$	163,082	$	706,390	$	499,905

Income from continuing operations	$	402,737	$	158,541	$	670,893	$	489,889
Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities	1,484		645		2,410		1,951
Earnings available to Quest Diagnostics’ common stockholders – basic and diluted	$	401,253	$	157,896	$	668,483	$	487,938

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic	149,625		158,783		153,477		158,518
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options and performance share units	1,295		1,919		1,318		1,546
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted	150,920		160,702		154,795		160,064

Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics’ common stockholders – basic:
Income from continuing operations	$	2.68	$	0.99	$	4.36	$	3.07
Income from discontinued operations	0.02		0.03		0.23		0.07
Net income	$	2.70	$	1.02	$	4.59	$	3.14

Earnings per share attributable to Quest Diagnostics’ common stockholders – diluted:
Income from continuing operations	$	2.66	$	0.98	$	4.32	$	3.04
Income from discontinued operations	0.02		0.03		0.23		0.07
Net income	$	2.68	$	1.01	$	4.55	$	3.11

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 September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2013	2012	2013	2012
Stock options and performance share units	1,527	1,317	1,690	1,925