BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY Exhibit 11 COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE (All amounts in thousands, except per share data) Six Months Ended March 31, ----------------------- 1997 1996 ------------------------ PRIMARY EARNINGS PER SHARE -------------------------- Net Income $140,779 $119,312 Less preferred stock dividends (1,699) (1,759) -------- -------- Net income applicable to common stock $139,080 $117,553 ======== ======== Shares: Average shares outstanding 122,921 128,388 Add dilutive stock equivalents from stock plans 6,469 6,146 -------- -------- Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the year 129,390 134,534 -------- -------- Earnings per share $1.07 $0.87 ======== ======== FULLY DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE -------------------------------- Net income applicable to common stock $139,080 $117,553 Add preferred stock dividends using the "if converted" method 1,699 1,759 Less additional ESOP contribution, using the "if converted" method (786) (651) -------- -------- Net income for fully diluted earnings per share $139,993 $118,661 ======== ======== Shares: Average shares outstanding 122,921 128,388 Add: Dilutive stock equivalents from stock plans 6,469 6,592 Shares issuable upon conversion of preferred stock 2,818 2,922 -------- -------- Weighted average number of common shares used in calculating fully diluted earnings per share 132,208 137,902 ======== ======== Fully diluted earnings per share $1.06 $0.86 ======== ========