Repurchases Of Common Stock

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

REPURCHASES OF COMMON STOCK

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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, 2019 and 2018, 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, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands, except per share amounts):



	For the Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019		2018

Shares repurchased in the open market	267		465
Shares acquired through employee surrender for statutory tax withholding	36		48
Total shares repurchased	303		513

Cost of shares repurchased in the open market	$	53,862	$	86,188
Cost of shares for employee surrenders	7,403		8,555
Total cost of shares	$	61,265	$	94,743

Average cost per share - open market repurchases	$	201.41	$	185.23
Average cost per share - employee surrenders	$	206.35	$	178.83
Average cost per share - total	$	202.00	$	184.63