Earnings Per Common Share (EPS)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2024

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Common Share (EPS)

11.   Earnings Per Common Share (EPS). The computation of weighted average shares outstanding and the basic and diluted earnings per common share for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 consisted of the following (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Net income	$	35,726	$	20,245	$	63,966	$	40,948
Average common shares outstanding		58,139		57,537		58,049		57,445
Basic EPS	$	0.61	$	0.35	$	1.10	$	0.71
Average common shares outstanding		58,139		57,537		58,049		57,445
Effect of dilutive stock awards		601		936		604		884
Total potential shares outstanding		58,740		58,473		58,653		58,329
Diluted EPS	$	0.61	$	0.35	$	1.09	$	0.70
Equity awards excluded as the impact was anti-dilutive (1)		802		1,114		1,009		1,014

(1) Does not reflect the impact of incremental repurchases under the treasury stock method.

Convertible Notes

For our Convertible Notes, the dilutive effect is calculated using the if-converted method. Upon surrender of the Convertible Notes for conversion, Merit will pay cash up to the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be converted and pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of Common Stock, at Merit’s election, in respect of the remainder, if any, of Merit’s conversion obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes being converted. Under the if-converted method, we include the number of shares required to satisfy the remaining conversion obligation, assuming all the Convertible Notes were converted. The average closing price of the Common Stock for the period ended June 30, 2024 was used as the basis for determining the dilutive effect on EPS. The average closing price for the Common Stock on June 30, 2024 did not exceed the conversion price of $86.83, and therefore all associated shares were deemed anti-dilutive.