Earnings Per Share

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

NOTE 4 — EARNINGS PER SHARE

We compute basic earnings per share using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. We compute diluted earnings per share using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, plus the dilutive effect of outstanding equity awards and potential shares, computed using the treasury stock method.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the quarters and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 (dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts):


	Quarter				Six Months
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc.	$	820	$	657	$	1,964	$	1,316

Weighted average common shares outstanding		348.615		365.847		349.726		368.056
Effect of dilutive incremental shares		6.424		9.491		7.662		9.591

Shares used for diluted earnings per share		355.039		375.338		357.388		377.647

Earnings per share:
Basic earnings	$	2.35	$	1.79	$	5.62	$	3.58
Diluted earnings	$	2.31	$	1.75	$	5.50	$	3.48