NOTE 9. — EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

Basic and diluted earnings per common share gives effect, utilizing the two-class method, to the potential dilution from the issuance of shares of our common stock in settlement of 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 no options outstanding as of December 31, 2017. There were 5,000 stock options excluded from the earnings per share calculations below as they were anti-dilutive as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

	Year ended December 31,
(in thousands):	2017			2016			2015
Earnings from continuing operations	$	45,048		$	39,825		$	39,478
Less dividend equivalents attributable to RSUs outstanding		(567	)		(482	)		(460	)
Earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders		44,481			39,343			39,018
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations		2,138			(1,414	)		(2,068	)
Less dividend equivalents attributable to RSUs outstanding		—			—			—
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders		2,138			(1,414	)		(2,068	)
Net earnings attributable to common shareholders used for basic and diluted earnings per share calculation	$	46,619		$	37,929		$	36,950
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted		36,897			33,806			33,420
RSUs outstanding at the end of the period		449			430			400
Basic and diluted earnings per common share	$	1.26		$	1.12		$	1.11