Repurchases Of Common Stock

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Repurchases Of Common Stock [Abstract]

Repurchases Of Common Stock

Note 10.    Repurchases of common STOCK 

We primarily acquire shares by repurchases in the open market. However, we also acquire shares that are surrendered by employees in payment for the minimum required statutory 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 issue 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 the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was not material.

The following is a summary of our open market common stock repurchases, reported on a trade date basis, and shares acquired through employee surrender for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017(in thousands, except per share amounts): 

	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2018		2017
Shares repurchased in the open market		465		390
Shares acquired through employee surrender for statutory tax withholding		48		52
Total shares repurchased		513		442
Cost of shares repurchased in the open market	$	86,188	$	50,744
Cost of shares for employee surrenders		8,555		7,303
Total cost of shares	$	94,743	$	58,047
Average cost per share - open market repurchase	$	185.23	$	130.12
Average cost per share - employee surrenders	$	178.83	$	141.09
Average cost per share - total	$	184.63	$	131.41