Income Tax Expense

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Tax Expense

NOTE 14. INCOME TAX EXPENSE

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2019			2018			2019			2018
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	$	83.1		$	65.3		$	132.9		$	114.7
Income tax expense		19.4			17.7			32.8			25.9
Effective tax rate		23.3	%		27.1	%		24.6	%		22.6	%

Changes in the effective tax rate for the second quarter and first half of 2019, as compared to the same periods in 2018, were largely driven by the amount and timing of share-based compensation deductions.  The effective tax rate for the first six months of 2019 was higher than the comparable period of 2018 primarily due to a decrease in favorable share-based compensation deductions occurring in the first half of 2019 as compared to the first half of 2018.  

It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months. However, an estimate of the range of reasonably possible outcomes cannot be made.  Changes to unrecognized tax benefits could result from the completion of ongoing examinations, the expiration of the statute of limitations or other unforeseen circumstances.