Basic and diluted earnings per common share gives effect, utilizing the two-class method, to the potential dilution from the issuance of common shares in settlement of restricted stock units (“RSU” or “RSUs”) which provide for non-forfeitable dividend equivalents equal to the dividends declared per common share. Basic and diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing net earnings less dividend equivalents attributable to RSUs by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per common share, also gives effect to the potential dilution from the exercise of stock options utilizing the treasury stock method. There were 5,000 stock options excluded from the earnings per share calculations below as they were anti-dilutive as of September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.


	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
(in thousands)	2016			2015			2016			2015
Earnings from continuing operations	$	9,236		$	8,523		$	30,661		$	19,985
Less dividend equivalents attributable to RSUs outstanding		(111	)		(96	)		(379	)		(273	)

Earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders		9,125			8,427			30,282			19,712

(Loss) from discontinued operations		(432	)		(1,488	)		(578	)		(2,468	)
Less dividend equivalents attributable to RSUs outstanding		—			—			—			—

(Loss) from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders		(432	)		(1,488	)		(578	)		(2,468	)

Net earnings attributable to common shareholders used for basic and diluted earnings per share calculation	$	8,693		$	6,939		$	29,704		$	17,244

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted		33,776			33,422			33,716			33,420

RSUs outstanding at the end of the period		430			401			430			401