EQUITY (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

EQUITY [Abstract]

Shares Purchased and Retired

	March 31	December 31	March 31
in thousands, except average price	2019	2018	2018 1
Shares Purchased and Retired
Number	0	1,192	492
Total purchase price	$                0	$     133,983	$       57,824
Average price per share	$           0.00	$       112.41	$       117.47

1  Settlement of 20 thousand shares at a total price of $2,250 thousand occurred after March 31, 2018.

Changes in Total Equity

"
	Three Months Ended
	March 31
in thousands	2019	2018
Total Equity
Balance at beginning of year	$    5,202,903	$    4,968,893
Net earnings	63,299	52,979
Common stock issued
Share-based compensation plans, net of shares
withheld for taxes	(14,068)	(24,109)
Purchase and retirement of common stock	0	(57,824)
Share-based compensation expense	5,724	6,794
Cash dividends on common stock
($0.31/$0.28 per share, respectively)	(40,939)	(37,176)
Other comprehensive income	290	3,653
Balance at end of period	$    5,217,209	$    4,913,210