Consolidated Statements Of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Net Sales	$ 1,357,755	$ 1,281,970	$ 2,671,342	$ 2,561,861
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of products sold (excluding depreciation)	600,534	563,012	1,183,940	1,138,555
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses	500,375	474,455	995,088	947,930
Depreciation	73,160	68,487	145,795	135,517
Amortization	7,905	7,247	15,657	14,476
Total costs and expenses	1,181,974	1,113,201	2,340,480	2,236,478
Operating Income	175,781	168,769	330,862	325,383
Interest expense, net	(18,562)	(20,665)	(34,701)	(41,459)
Other income, net	81	1,474	1,950	1,587
Earnings before income taxes	157,300	149,578	298,111	285,511
Income taxes	(58,988)	(54,596)	(110,947)	(105,843)
Net Earnings	$ 98,312	$ 94,982	$ 187,164	$ 179,668
Net Earnings Per Common Share:
Basic earnings per share	$ 1.32	$ 1.29	$ 2.52	$ 2.45
Diluted earnings per share	$ 1.30	$ 1.27	$ 2.48	$ 2.41
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic	74,561	73,507	74,417	73,372
Diluted	75,754	74,815	75,616	74,676
Dividends Declared per Common Share	$ 0.55	$ 0.48	$ 1.10	$ 0.96

The aggregate total costs related to selling and distributing a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. Distribution expenses are expenses associated with the distribution of the firm's products and services, including labor and overhead associated with warehousing and delivery. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc.

No definition available.