Note 4 - Earnings per Share

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

4. Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share excludes 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 June 30,					Six months ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)	2014		2013			2014		2013
Net income attributable to Cathay General Bancorp	$	35,084	$	29,916		$	66,343	$	58,763
Dividends on preferred stock and noncash charge from repayment		-		(2,067	)		-		(7,251	)
Net income available to common stockholders	$	35,084	$	27,849		$	66,343	$	51,512
Weighted-average shares:
Basic weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		79,642,993		78,869,089			79,619,506		78,832,530
Dilutive effect of weighted-average outstanding common share equivalents
Warrants		273,759		-			286,079		-
Options		97,476		-			99,575		-
Restricted stock units		32,243		30,817			37,786		25,228
Diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		80,046,471		78,899,906			80,042,946		78,857,758
Average stock options and warrants with anti-dilutive effect		2,003,896		5,597,123			1,994,922		5,613,875
Earnings per common share:
Basic	$	0.44	$	0.35		$	0.83	$	0.65
Diluted	$	0.44	$	0.35		$	0.83	$	0.65