Repurchases Of Common Stock

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

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 and nine months ended September 30, 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:



(in thousands, except per share amounts)	For the Three Months Ended September 30,				For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2019		2018		2019		2018

Shares repurchased in the open market	330		302		683		1,284
Shares acquired through employee surrender for statutory tax withholding	1		1		38		50
Total shares repurchased	331		303		721		1,334

Cost of shares repurchased in the open market	$	91,051	$	73,247	$	165,198	$	265,209
Cost of shares for employee surrenders	277		390		7,849		9,110
Total cost of shares	$	91,328	$	73,637	$	173,047	$	274,319

Average cost per share - open market repurchases	$	275.50	$	242.78	$	241.56	$	206.59
Average cost per share - employee surrenders	$	286.65	$	253.34	$	209.20	$	181.68
Average cost per share - total	$	275.53	$	242.83	$	239.87	$	205.65