Note 14. Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. In computing diluted earnings per share, basic earnings per share is adjusted for the assumed issuance of all potentially dilutive share-based awards, including restricted stock units and restricted stock.

On October 1, 2016, RRD distributed approximately 26.2 million shares of Donnelley Financial common stock to RRD shareholders in connection with the spin-off of Donnelley Financial, with RRD retaining approximately 6.2 million shares of Donnelley Financial common stock. Holders of RRD common stock received one share of Donnelley Financial for every eight shares of RRD common stock held on September 23, 2016. Basic and diluted earnings per common share and the average number of common shares outstanding were retrospectively restated for the number of Donnelley Financial shares outstanding immediately following this transaction. For periods prior to the Separation, basic and diluted earnings per share were calculated using the number of shares distributed and retained by RRD, totaling 32.4 million. The same number of shares was used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share since there were no Donnelley Financial equity awards outstanding prior to the spin-off.