Earnings Per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 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 nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts):


	Quarter				Nine Months
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Net income attributable to HCA Healthcare, Inc.	$	759	$	426	$	2,723	$	1,742

Weighted average common shares outstanding		345.823		360.170		348.411		365.398
Effect of dilutive incremental shares		7.816		9.664		7.713		9.615

Shares used for diluted earnings per share		353.639		369.834		356.124		375.013

Earnings per share:
Basic earnings	$	2.20	$	1.18	$	7.82	$	4.77
Diluted earnings	$	2.15	$	1.15	$	7.65	$	4.64