11.EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (EPS)

The computation of weighted average shares outstanding and the basic and diluted earnings per common share for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, consisted of the following (in thousands, except per share amounts):

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Convertible Notes

For our Convertible Notes issued in December 2023, the dilutive effect is calculated using the if-converted method. Upon surrender of the Convertible Notes for conversion, Merit will pay cash up to the aggregate principal amount of the Notes to be converted and pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of Merit’s common stock or a combination of cash and shares of Merit’s common stock, at Merit’s election, in respect of the remainder, if any, of Merit’s conversion obligation in excess of the aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes being converted. Under the if-converted method, we include the number of shares required to satisfy the remaining conversion obligation, assuming all the Convertible Notes were converted. The Convertible Notes only have an impact on diluted earnings per share when the average share price of our common stock exceeds the conversion price of $86.83. The average closing prices of our common stock for the year ended December 31, 2024 were used as the basis for determining the dilutive effect on EPS.