Earnings Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Computation of basic and diluted earnings per share

	Three Months Ended September 30				Nine Months Ended September 30
(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2012		2011		2012		2011
Computation of Basic Earnings per Share
Net income attributable to Stepan Company	$	20,230	$	19,169	$	63,957	$	58,797
Deduct dividends on preferred stock		178		178		533		536
Income applicable to common stock	$	20,052	$	18,991	$	63,424	$	58,261
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		10,581		10,365		10,553		10,345
Basic earnings per share	$	1.90	$	1.83	$	6.01	$	5.63
Computation of Diluted Earnings per Share
Net income attributable to Stepan Company	$	20,230	$	19,169	$	63,424	$	58,797
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding		10,581		10,365		10,553		10,345
Add weighted-average net shares issuable from assumed exercise of options (under treasury stock method) (1)		193		237		207		241
Add weighted-average contingently issuable net shares related to performance stock awards (under treasury stock method)		—		51		—		17
Add weighted-average net shares related to unvested stock awards (under treasury stock method)		3		2		3		2
Add weighted-average shares issuable from assumed conversion of convertible preferred stock		591		593		591		594
Weighted-average shares applicable to diluted earnings		11,368		11,248		11,354		11,199
Diluted earnings per share	$	1.78	$	1.70	$	5.63	$	5.25