Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Net Sales	$ 1,374,569	$ 1,357,755	$ 2,724,279	$ 2,671,342
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation)	601,173	600,534	1,198,339	1,183,940
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses	515,379	500,375	1,029,155	995,088
Depreciation	79,251	73,160	157,326	145,795
Amortization	8,621	7,905	16,736	15,657
Total costs and expenses	1,204,424	1,181,974	2,401,556	2,340,480
Operating Income	170,145	175,781	322,723	330,862
Interest expense, net	(15,262)	(18,562)	(29,298)	(34,701)
Other income, net	112	81	1,537	1,950
Earnings before income taxes	154,995	157,300	294,962	298,111
Income taxes	(56,961)	(58,988)	(108,693)	(110,947)
Net Earnings	$ 98,034	$ 98,312	$ 186,269	$ 187,164
Net Earnings per Common Share:
Basic earnings per share	$ 1.33	$ 1.32	$ 2.50	$ 2.52
Diluted earnings per share	$ 1.31	$ 1.30	$ 2.47	$ 2.48
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic	73,836	74,561	74,540	74,417
Diluted	74,632	75,754	75,397	75,616
Dividends Declared per Common Share	$ 0.60	$ 0.55	$ 1.20	$ 1.10

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.