As Ameresco has 45 million shares outstanding, the per share effect for each year should be 2 cents or less.

FORBES: Ameresco's Hedge Hurts Heads, Ho-Hum

In Singapore, for example, the authorities have limited stock options to no more than 15% of outstanding shares, thus restraining the dilutive effect of options on earnings.

FORBES: The softest pillow

We look at the net effect of a repurchase on shares outstanding.

FORBES: Buying In On Buybacks

Before new Federal Reserve regulations were put into effect in 2010, companies could begin dinging outstanding gift cards for a monthly fee, eroding their value rapidly and terminating them quickly.

FORBES: Escape The Trap Of Gift Cards By Reselling

Slower economic growth would also make businesses and commercial establishments more reluctant to borrow, and the combined effect would reduce the growth in the total business loans outstanding.

FORBES: Is Mr. Market Too Negative On Bank of America?

Permitting this arrangement to continue, in effect, subordinates Western taxpayers to private commercial banks when it comes to repayments on outstanding debt.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center for Security Policy | The Bush Administration Rescue Plan For Poland: Shooting Ourselves In The Wallet?