Equity (Notes)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Equity [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

Equity

(All shares reported in whole numbers)

Our components of Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows:

	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Unrealized Gains and Losses			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
				(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	88,441		$	—		$	88,441
Activity in 2014	(11,226		)	—			(11,226		)
Reduction in net unrealized gains associated with available-for-sale securities of the trusts, net of taxes	—			17,039			17,039
Reclassification of net unrealized losses activity attributable to the Deferred preneed funeral and cemetery receipts held in trust and Care trusts’ corpus, net of taxes	—			(17,039		)	(17,039		)
Balance at March 31, 2014	$	77,215		$	—		$	77,215

The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate. The U.S. dollar amount that arises from such translation, as well as exchange gains and losses on intercompany balances of a long-term investment nature, are included in the foreign currency translation adjustment in Accumulated other comprehensive income.

Cash Dividends

On February 12, 2014, our Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $.08 per common share. This dividend, totaling $17.1 million, was paid on March 28, 2014.

Share Repurchases

Subject to market conditions, normal trading restrictions, and limitations in our debt covenants, we may make purchases in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions under our stock repurchase program. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, there were no share repurchases under our share repurchase program. The remaining dollar value of shares authorized to be purchased under our share repurchase program was approximately $190.1 million at March 31, 2014.

During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we made $1.1 million of share repurchases that were not part of the publicly announced programs. These shares represent restricted stock that was redeemed by certain employees in lieu of tax liability withholdings and stock option exercises by attestation, which do not affect our share repurchase program.