Earnings per Share

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

The weighted average common shares used in the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share (shares in thousands) for the years ended September 30 were as follows:



	2015	2014	2013
Average common shares outstanding	202,537	193,299	195,157
Dilutive share equivalents from share-based plans	4,972	4,410	4,036
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding — assuming dilution	207,509	197,709	199,193

Upon closing the acquisition of CareFusion Corporation (“CareFusion”) on March 17, 2015, the Company issued approximately 15.9 million of its common shares as part of the purchase consideration. Additional disclosures regarding this acquisition are provided in Note 9.

Options to purchase shares of common stock are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share when their inclusion would have an anti-dilutive effect on the calculation. For the years ended September 30, 2015, 2014 and 2013 there were no options to purchase shares of common stock which were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation.