EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period increased to include the number of additional shares of common stock that would have been outstanding if the potentially dilutive securities had been issued. Potentially dilutive securities include outstanding stock options, shares to be purchased under the Company’s employee stock purchase plan and RSUs. The dilutive effect of potentially dilutive securities is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, an increase in the fair market value of the Company’s common stock can result in a greater dilutive effect from potentially dilutive securities.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

In thousands, except share and per share data
	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Numerator:
Numerator for basic earnings per share net income attributable to Stericycle, Inc.	$	81,936	$	78,044	$	161,085	$	152,661
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share-weighted average shares	84,699,043		86,125,012		84,982,966		86,109,244
Effect of diluted securities:
Employee stock options	1,283,545		1,489,941		1,317,326		1,436,397
Denominator for diluted earnings per share-adjusted weighted average shares and after assumed exercises	85,982,588		87,614,953		86,300,292		87,545,641
Earnings per share – Basic	$	0.97	$	0.91	$	1.90	$	1.77
Earnings per share – Diluted	$	0.95	$	0.89	$	1.87	$	1.74