Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Note 16—Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to each class by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding and participating securities during the period. Net income is allocated to each class of common stock and participating securities based on its proportional ownership on an as-converted basis. The weighted-average number of shares of each class of common stock outstanding reflects changes in ownership over the periods presented. See Note 15—Stockholders’ Equity.

Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding, participating securities and, if dilutive, potential class A common stock equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive class A common stock equivalents may consist of: (1) shares of class A common stock issuable upon the conversion of series A, UK&I and Europe preferred stock and class B and C common stock based on the conversion rates in effect through the period, and (2) incremental shares of class A common stock calculated by applying the treasury stock method to the assumed exercise of employee stock options, the assumed purchase of stock under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the assumed vesting of unearned performance shares.

The following table presents earnings per share for fiscal 2020:


	Basic Earnings Per Share					Diluted Earnings Per Share
	Income Allocation (A)(1)		Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B)	Earnings per Share = (A)/(B)(2)		Income Allocation (A)(1)		Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B)		Earnings per Share = (A)/(B)(2)
	(in millions, except per share data)
Class A common stock	$	8,310	1,697	$	4.90	$	10,866	2,223	(3)	$	4.89
Class B common stock	1,951		245	$	7.94	1,948		245		$	7.93
Class C common stock	214		11	$	19.58	214		11		$	19.56
Participating securities(4)	391		Not presented	Not presented		391		Not presented		Not presented
Net income	$	10,866

The following table presents earnings per share for fiscal 2019:


	Basic Earnings Per Share					Diluted Earnings Per Share
	Income Allocation (A)(1)		Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B)	Earnings per Share = (A)/(B)(2)		Income Allocation (A)(1)		Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B)		Earnings per Share = (A)/(B)(2)
	(in millions, except per share data)
Class A common stock	$	9,273	1,742	$	5.32	$	12,080	2,272	(3)	$	5.32
Class B common stock	2,130		245	$	8.68	2,127		245		$	8.66
Class C common stock	247		12	$	21.30	246		12		$	21.26
Participating securities(4)	430		Not presented	Not presented		429		Not presented		Not presented
Net income	$	12,080

The following table presents earnings per share for fiscal 2018:


	Basic Earnings Per Share					Diluted Earnings Per Share
	Income Allocation (A)(1)		Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B)	Earnings per Share = (A)/(B)(2)		Income Allocation (A)(1)		Weighted- Average Shares Outstanding (B)		Earnings per Share = (A)/(B)(2)
	(in millions, except per share data)
Class A common stock	$	7,937	1,792	$	4.43	$	10,301	2,329	(3)	$	4.42
Class B common stock	1,787		245	$	7.28	1,785		245		$	7.27
Class C common stock	218		12	$	17.72	217		12		$	17.69
Participating securities(4)	359		Not presented	Not presented		358		Not presented		Not presented
Net income	$	10,301

(1)Net income is allocated based on proportional ownership on an as-converted basis. The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class B common stock used in the income allocation was 398 million, 400 million and 403 million for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The weighted-average number of shares of as-converted class C common stock used in the income allocation was 44 million, 46 million and 49 million for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The weighted-average number of shares of preferred stock included within participating securities was 1 million of as-converted series A preferred stock for fiscal 2020, 32 million of as-converted UK&I preferred stock for each of fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, and 43 million of as-converted Europe preferred stock for fiscal 2020 and 44 million of as-converted Europe preferred stock for each of fiscal 2019 and 2018.

(2)Figures in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding. Earnings per share is calculated based on unrounded numbers.

(3)Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding are calculated on an as-converted basis, and include incremental common stock equivalents, as calculated under the treasury stock method. The computation includes 3 million common stock equivalents for each of fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 because their effect would have been dilutive. The computation excludes 1 million of common stock equivalents for each of fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

(4)Participating securities include preferred stock outstanding and unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, such as the Company’s series A preferred stock, UK&I and Europe preferred stock, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and earned performance-based shares. Participating securities’ income is allocated based on the weighted-average number of shares of as-converted stock. See Note 15—Stockholders’ Equity.