Repurchases Of Common Stock

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Repurchases Of Common Stock [Abstract]

Repurchases Of Common Stock

Note 8.      Repurchases of common STOCK

The following is a summary of our open market common stock repurchases for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013(in thousands, except per share amounts):

	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2014		2013
Shares repurchased		576		687
Total cost of shares repurchased	$	70,279	$	63,778
Average cost per share	$	122.04	$	92.82

We primarily acquire shares by means of repurchases in the open market. However, we also acquire shares that are surrendered by employees in payment for the minimum required withholding taxes due on the vesting of restricted stock units and the settlement of deferred stock units, otherwise referred to herein as employee surrenders. We acquired 40,537 shares having a total cost of $5.0million in connection with such employee surrenders during the three months ended March 31, 2014 compared to 45,181 shares having a total cost of $4.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2013.

Weissue shares of treasury stock upon the vesting of certain restricted stock units and upon the exercise of certain stock options. The number of shares of treasury stock issued during both the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was not material.