v3.26.3
Common Stock and Related Matters
 12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2026
Equity [Abstract]  
Common Stock and Related Matters Common Stock and Related Matters
Common Stock
Changes in common stock during the periods presented were as follows (amounts and shares in millions):
Common Stock
SharesAmount
(At par)
Balance at August 31, 202354.4 $0.5 
Vesting of share-based payment awards(1)
0.1 — 
Stock options exercised0.1 — 
Balance at August 31, 202454.6 0.5 
Vesting of share-based payment awards(1)
0.2 — 
Stock options exercised0.1 — 
Balance at August 31, 202554.9 0.5 
Vesting of share-based payment awards(1)
0.1 0.1 
Stock options exercised— *— 
Balance at August 31, 202655.0 $0.6 
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* Represents shares of less than 0.1 million.
(1) Shown net of cancellations for tax withholdings
As of August 31, 2026 and 2025, we had 25.1 million and 24.2 million of repurchased shares, respectively, recorded as treasury stock at an original repurchase cost of $2.94 billion and $2.65 billion, respectively. Excise taxes on corporate stock repurchases are accounted for as an increase to the cost basis of our share repurchases.
During fiscal 2026, we repurchased approximately 0.9 million shares of our outstanding common stock. As of August 31, 2026, the maximum number of shares that may yet be repurchased under the share repurchase program authorized by the Board equaled 2.4 million shares. We may repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time at prevailing market prices, depending on market conditions, through open market or privately negotiated transactions.
Preferred Stock
We have 50 million shares of preferred stock authorized. No shares of preferred stock were issued in fiscal 2026 or 2025, and no shares of preferred stock are outstanding.
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share for the periods presented is computed by dividing net earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for these periods. Diluted earnings per share is computed similarly but reflects the potential dilution that would occur if dilutive options were exercised, unvested share-based payment awards were vested, and other distributions related to deferred stock agreements were incurred as of the beginning of the period. Common stock equivalents are calculated using the treasury stock method. The dilutive effects of share-based payment awards subject to market and/or performance conditions that were not met during the period are excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.
The following table calculates basic earnings per common share and diluted earnings per common share during the periods presented (in millions, except per share data):
Year Ended August 31,
202620252024
Net income$531.3 $396.6 $422.6 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding30.384 30.859 30.885 
Common stock equivalents0.767 0.782 0.560 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding31.151 31.641 31.445 
Basic earnings per share(1)
$17.49 $12.85 $13.68 
Diluted earnings per share(1)
$17.05 $12.53 $13.44 
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(1) Earnings per share is calculated using unrounded numbers. Amounts in the table may not recalculate exactly due to rounding.
Stock options, performance stock awards, and restricted stock awards that were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation as the effect of inclusion would have been antidilutive were immaterial for the years ended August 31, 2026, 2025, and 2024.