Stockholders' Equity

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Stock Repurchase Program. As of June 30, 2018, the Company is authorized to repurchase, from time to time, up to 10.1 million additional shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions. The number and the cost of common stock shares repurchased during the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, are reflected in the following table (in thousands):



	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2018		2017
Common stock repurchased (in shares)	2,194		2,137
Common stock repurchased	$	135,989	$	101,068

Additional stock repurchases were made in connection with employee stock plans, whereby Company shares were tendered by employees for the payment of exercise price and applicable statutory withholding taxes. The number and the cost of repurchases related to employee stock plans made during the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, are reflected in the following table (in thousands):



	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2018		2017
Repurchases related to employee stock plans (in shares)	147		305
Repurchases related to employee stock plans	$	8,496	$	14,742

The repurchased shares are held in treasury and are presented as if constructively retired. Treasury stock is accounted for using the cost method. Repurchase activity for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, is presented in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity.

Repurchases of shares and issuances of cash dividends are applied first to the extent of retained earnings and any remaining amounts are applied to capital surplus.