The following table provides weighted average share information used in the calculation of the Company’s basic and diluted earnings per share:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(in millions, except per share data)	2019			2018
Basic shares used in the calculation of earnings per share		40.6			42.5
Dilutive effect of securities:
Employee stock options		0.3			0.3
Non-vested stock grants		0.3			0.3
Diluted shares used in the calculation of earnings per share		41.2			43.1
Per share effect of dilutive securities on income from continuing operations and net income	$	(0.04	)	$	(0.02	)

Diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 excludes 0.2 million and 0.3 million, respectively, of common shares issuable under the Company’s stock compensation plans because their effect would be antidilutive.

On December 30, 2018, the Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program which provides for aggregate repurchases of up to $600 million. Under the repurchase authorization, the Company may repurchase, from time to time, common shares in amounts, at prices and at such times as the Company deems appropriate, subject to market conditions and other considerations. Repurchases may be executed using open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, accelerated repurchase programs or other transactions. The Company is not required to purchase any specific number of shares or to make purchases by any certain date under this program. On January 2, 2019, pursuant to the terms of an accelerated share repurchase (“ASR”) agreement executed on December 30, 2018, the Company paid $250.0 million and received an initial delivery of approximately 1.8 million shares of common stock, which is approximately 80% of the total number of shares expected to be repurchased under this agreement. The final 20% of the total number of shares are expected to be delivered to the Company in the second quarter of 2019.