EARNINGS PER SHARE (NVE)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

NOTE 15.        EARNINGS PER SHARE (NVE)

The difference between basic EPS and diluted EPS is due to potentially dilutive common shares resulting from NEDSP, the ESPP and the LTIP.

The following table outlines the calculation for earnings per share (EPS):

			Year Ended December 31,
			2011		2010		2009
Basic EPS
	Numerator ($000)
		Net income	$	163,432	$	226,984	$	182,936
	Denominator
		Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		235,847,596		235,048,347		234,542,292
	Per Share Amounts
		Net income per share – basic	$	0.69	$	0.97	$	0.78
Diluted EPS
	Numerator ($000)
		Net income	$	163,432	$	226,984	$	182,936
	Denominator(1)
		Weighted-average number of shares outstanding before dilution		235,847,596		235,048,347		234,542,292
		Stock options		36,189		34,590		27,596
		Non-Employee Director stock plan		143,791		141,577		100,244
		Employee stock purchase plan		4,111		5,909		7,331
		Restricted Shares		395,813		78,920		12,389
		Performance Shares		1,339,571		985,469		490,836
	Diluted Weighted Average Number of Shares			237,767,071		236,294,812		235,180,688
	Per Share Amounts
		Net income per share - diluted	$	0.69	$	0.96	$	0.78

(1) The denominator does not include stock equivalents for options issued under the LTIP due to conversion prices being higher than market prices for all periods. Under this plan, an additional 557,793, 701,658 and 679,272 shares for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, would be included in each of these periods if the conditions for conversion were met.