Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Earnings per share (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 03, 2015

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Net Earnings Per Share Attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.: Basic net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc. is computed by dividing net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc. by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares during the period, exclusive of dilutive securities. Diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc. is computed by dividing net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc. by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares and dilutive securities during the period.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc. for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 (in millions, except per share amounts):

	2014		2013		2012
Numerator:
Net earnings attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$	1,002	$	723	$	752
Denominator:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	285.0		287.0		313.3
Dilution associated with stock-based compensation plans	4.7		3.6		1.5
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	289.7		290.6		314.8
Basic net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$	3.52	$	2.52	$	2.40
Diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc.	$	3.46	$	2.49	$	2.39

Approximately 3.3 million, 4.8 million and 18.9 million shares of common stock subject to stock options and restricted stock units were excluded from the diluted net earnings per share attributable to St. Jude Medical, Inc. computation because they were not dilutive during fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.