Earnings or Loss per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Basic earnings or loss per share (EPS) is computed by dividing net earnings or loss by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS presents the dilutive effect, if any, on a per share basis of potential shares (e.g., options, SARs, RSUs, PSARs and PSUs) as if they had been exercised, vested or converted at the beginning of the periods presented.

The details of our basic and diluted weighted average ordinary shares outstanding are set forth below:


	Three months ended		Nine months ended
	September 30,		September 30,
	2021	2020	2021	2020

Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding (basic EPS computation)	551,973,418	590,985,197	561,295,200	608,816,109
Incremental shares attributable to the assumed exercise of outstanding options and SARs and the release of RSUs and PSUs upon vesting (treasury stock method)	13,071,058	—	13,131,584	—
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding (diluted EPS computation)	565,044,476	590,985,197	574,426,784	608,816,109

The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 excludes a total of 51.5 million options, SARs and RSUs because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

We reported losses from continuing operations attributable to Liberty Global shareholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020. Therefore, the potential dilutive effect at September 30, 2020 of the following items was not included in the computation of diluted loss from continuing operations attributable to Liberty Global shareholders per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive: (i) the aggregate number of shares issuable pursuant to outstanding options, SARs and RSUs of 77.3 million and (ii) the aggregate number of shares issuable pursuant to PSARs and PSUs of 20.2 million.

The details of our net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Liberty Global shareholders is set forth below:


	Three months ended				Nine months ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
	in millions

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	$	315.6	$	(985.6)	$	12,889.2	$	(502.2)
Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(41.6)		(49.5)		(142.8)		(137.8)
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Liberty Global shareholders	$	274.0	$	(1,035.1)	$	12,746.4	$	(640.0)