INCOME TAX

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

INCOME TAX [Abstract]

INCOME TAX

3.  INCOME TAX

Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was 27.7% and 24.0%, respectively.  Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was 26.5% and 28.0%, respectively. Our effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to U.S. state income tax expense, expenses that are nondeductible for tax purposes, the change in our valuation allowance associated with our deferred tax assets, and differences in tax rates in foreign jurisdictions.