Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Net Sales	$ 1,349,710	$ 1,313,587
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation)	597,166	583,406
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses	513,776	494,713
Depreciation	78,075	72,635
Amortization	8,115	7,752
Total costs and expenses	1,197,132	1,158,506
Operating Income	152,578	155,081
Interest expense, net	(14,036)	(16,139)
Other income, net	1,425	1,869
Earnings before income taxes	139,967	140,811
Income taxes	(51,732)	(51,959)
Net Earnings	$ 88,235	$ 88,852
Net Earnings per Common Share:
Basic earnings per share	$ 1.17	$ 1.20
Diluted earnings per share	$ 1.16	$ 1.18
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic	75,206	74,272
Diluted	76,105	75,483
Dividends Declared per Common Share	$ 0.60	$ 0.55

The aggregate total costs related to selling and distributing a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. Distribution expenses are expenses associated with the distribution of the firm's products and services, including labor and overhead associated with warehousing and delivery. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc.

No definition available.