Note 4 - Earnings per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

4. Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share exclude dilution and is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock and resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in earnings.

Outstanding stock options with anti-dilutive effect were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share. The following table sets forth earnings per common share calculations:

	Three months ended March 31,
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)	2014		2013
Net income attributable to Cathay General Bancorp	$	31,259	$	28,847
Dividends on preferred stock and noncash charge from repayment		-		(5,184	)
Net income available to common stockholders	$	31,259	$	23,663
Weighted-average shares:
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		79,595,757		78,795,564
Dilutive effect of weighted-average outstanding common share equivalents
Warrants		298,535		-
Options		101,698		-
Restricted stock units		43,392		19,577
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		80,039,382		78,815,141
Average stock options and warrants with anti-dilutive effect		1,985,848		5,630,813
Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.39	$	0.30
Diluted	$	0.39	$	0.30