Earnings per Share

The weighted average common shares used in the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share (shares in thousands) for the years ended September 30 were as follows:



	2017	2016	2015
Average common shares outstanding	218,943	212,702	202,537
Dilutive share equivalents from share-based plans (A) (B)	4,645	4,834	4,972
Average common and common equivalent shares outstanding — assuming dilution	223,588	217,536	207,509

(A)

For the year ended September 30, 2017, 5 million dilutive share equivalents associated with mandatory convertible preferred stock issued during 2017, as further discussed in Note 3, were excluded from the diluted shares outstanding calculation because the result would have been antidilutive. For the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 there were no options to purchase shares of common stock which were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation.


(B)	The adjustments to calculate diluted share equivalents from share-based plans in 2016 and 2015 included excess tax benefits relating to share-based compensation awards. Upon the Company's adoption, as discussed in Note 2, of new accounting requirements relating to share-based compensation award-related income tax effects, the adjustment in 2017 excluded these excess tax benefits.