EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

Basic EPS (and diluted EPS in periods when a loss exists) was calculated by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS was calculated by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus additional common shares that were issued in connection with stock based compensation and upon the settlement of the 2017 convertible notes.

The following table is a reconciliation of the share amounts (in thousands) used in computing earnings per share:



	Three Months Ended March 31,		Six Months Ended March 31,
	2018	2017	2018	2017
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	41,477	41,277	41,700	40,307
Incremental shares from stock based compensation	1,288	1,557	1,362	1,740
Convertible debt matured 2017	—	395	—	729

Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	42,765	43,229	43,062	42,776

On July 14, 2016, Griffon announced that it would settle, upon conversion, up to $125,000 of the conversion value of the 2017 Notes in cash, with amounts in excess of $125,000, if any, to be settled in shares of Griffon common stock. During the quarter ended March 31, 2017, Griffon settled the 2017 Notes for $173,855 with $125,000 in cash and 1,954,993 shares of common stock issued from treasury. Prior to settlement, Griffon had the intent and ability to settle the principal amount of the 2017 Notes in cash, and as such, the issuance of shares related to the principal amount of the 2017 Notes did not affect diluted shares.