Earnings Per Share

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share is computed using the two-class method. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines net income per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Per share amounts are computed by dividing net income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average shares outstanding during each period.

The computations of basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations are as follows:

(in 000s, except per share amounts)
Year ended April 30,	2015			2014			2013
Net income from continuing operations attributable to shareholders	$	486,744		$	500,097		$	465,158
Amounts allocated to participating securities	(774		)	(692		)	(542		)
Net income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	$	485,970		$	499,405		$	464,616
Basic weighted average common shares	275,033			273,830			273,057
Potential dilutive shares	2,103			2,197			1,302
Dilutive weighted average common shares	277,136			276,027			274,359
Earnings per share from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders:
Basic	$	1.77		$	1.82		$	1.70
Diluted	1.75			1.81			1.69

Diluted earnings per share excludes the impact of shares of common stock issuable upon the lapse of certain restrictions or the exercise of options to purchase 0.1 million, 0.1 million and 3.3 million shares of stock for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, as the effect would be antidilutive.