| EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share reflects the assumed conversion of all dilutive securities.
The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Years ended December 31, | (in millions, except per share data) | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 | Net earnings available to common stockholders | $ | 3,747 |
| | $ | 2,790 |
| | $ | 1,935 |
| | | | | | | Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic | 670.2 |
| | 742.3 |
| | 795.6 |
| Effect of dilutive securities | 3.3 |
| | 4.6 |
| | 4.1 |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding, dilutive | 673.5 |
| | 746.9 |
| | 799.7 |
| | | | | | | Earnings per basic common share | $ | 5.59 |
| | $ | 3.76 |
| | $ | 2.43 |
| Earnings per diluted common share | $ | 5.56 |
| | $ | 3.74 |
| | $ | 2.42 |
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