Repurchases Of Common Stock

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

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, 2020 and 2019 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,
	2020		2019		2020		2019

Shares repurchased in the open market	—		330		721		683
Shares acquired through employee surrender for statutory tax withholding	1		1		31		38
Total shares repurchased	1		331		752		721

Cost of shares repurchased in the open market	$	—	$	91,051	$	179,623	$	165,198
Cost of shares for employee surrenders	360		277		9,029		7,849
Total cost of shares	$	360	$	91,328	$	188,652	$	173,047

Average cost per share - open market repurchases	$	—	$	275.50	$	249.20	$	241.56
Average cost per share - employee surrenders	$	393.12	$	286.65	$	292.03	$	209.20
Average cost per share - total	$	393.12	$	275.53	$	250.96	$	239.87