Earnings per Share

Newcastle is required to present both basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”). Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus the additional dilutive effect of common stock equivalents during each period. Newcastle’s common stock equivalents are its stock options. During 2011, based on the treasury stock method, Newcastle had 6,324 dilutive common stock equivalents, resulting from its outstanding options. During 2010 and 2009, Newcastle had no dilutive common stock equivalents (common stock equivalents are not dilutive in periods of net loss or when all of the exercise prices exceed the current market price). Net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders is equal to net income (loss) less preferred dividends, plus the excess of the carrying amount of exchanged preferred stock over the fair value of consideration paid (see “Preferred Stock” below).

In March 2011, Newcastle filed a shelf registration statement with the SEC covering common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, debt securities and warrants.

Option Plan

In June 2002, Newcastle (with the approval of the board of directors) adopted a nonqualified stock option and incentive award plan (the “Newcastle Option Plan”) for officers, directors, consultants and advisors, including the Manager and its employees. The maximum available for issuance is equal to 10% of the number of outstanding equity interests of Newcastle, subject to a maximum of 10,000,000 shares in the aggregate over the term of the plan.

Upon joining the board, the non-employee directors have been, in accordance with the Newcastle Option Plan, automatically granted options to acquire an aggregate of 20,000 shares of common stock. The fair value of such options was not material at the date of grant.

Through December 31, 2011, for the purpose of compensating the Manager for its successful efforts in raising capital for Newcastle, the Manager has been granted options representing the right to acquire 7,836,227 shares of common stock, with strike prices subject to adjustment as necessary to preserve the value of such options in connection with the occurrence of certain events (including capital dividends and capital distributions made by Newcastle). These options represented an amount equal to 10% of the shares of common stock of Newcastle sold in its public offerings and the value of such options was recorded as an increase in stockholders’ equity with an offsetting reduction of capital proceeds received. The options granted to the Manager, which may be assigned by Fortress to its employees, were fully vested on the date of grant and one thirtieth of the options become exercisable on the first day of each of the following thirty calendar months, or earlier upon the occurrence of certain events, such as a change in control of Newcastle or the termination of the Management Agreement. The options expire ten years from the date of issuance.

Newcastle’s outstanding options were summarized as follows:

The following table summarizes Newcastle’s outstanding options at December 31, 2011. Note that the last sales price on the New York Stock Exchange for Newcastle’s common stock in the year ended December 31, 2011 was $4.65 per share.

The volatility assumption for these options was estimated based primarily on the historical volatility of Newcastle’s common stock and management’s expectations regarding future volatility. The expected life assumption for options issued prior to 2011 was estimated based on the simplified term method. This simplified method was used because Newcastle did not have sufficient historical data to conclude on the appropriate expected life of its options and because historical data to date was consistent with the simplified term method. The expected life assumption for options issued in 2011 was estimated based primarily on the historical expected life of applicable previously issued options.

Preferred Stock

In March 2003, Newcastle issued 2.5 million shares ($62.5 million face amount) of its 9.75% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred”). In October 2005, Newcastle issued 1.6 million shares ($40.0 million face amount) of its 8.05% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred”). In March 2007, Newcastle issued 2.0 million shares ($50.0 million face amount) of its 8.375% Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the “Series D Preferred”). The Series B Preferred, Series C Preferred and Series D Preferred are non-voting, have a $25 per share liquidation preference, no maturity date and no mandatory redemption. Newcastle has the option to redeem the Series B Preferred and the Series C Preferred, and, beginning in March 2012, Newcastle will have the option to redeem the Series D Preferred, at their liquidation preference. If the Series C Preferred or Series D Preferred cease to be listed on the NYSE or the AMEX, or quoted on the NASDAQ, and Newcastle is not subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, Newcastle has the option to redeem the Series C Preferred or Series D Preferred, as applicable, at their liquidation preference and, during such time any shares of Series C Preferred or Series D Preferred are outstanding, the dividend will increase to 9.05% or 9.375% per annum, respectively.

In connection with the issuance of the Series B Preferred, Series C Preferred and Series D Preferred, Newcastle incurred approximately $2.4 million, $1.5 million, and $1.8 million of costs, respectively, which were netted against the proceeds of such offerings. If any series of preferred stock were redeemed, the related costs would be recorded as an adjustment to income available for common stockholders at that time.

In March 2010, Newcastle settled its offer to exchange (the “Exchange Offer”) shares of its common stock and cash for shares of its preferred stock. In the aggregate, Newcastle issued 9,091,668 shares of its common stock (approximately 17.2% of Newcastle’s outstanding shares of common stock prior to the issuance of shares in the Exchange Offer). A total of 2,881,694 shares of common stock were issued in exchange for 1,152,679 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, a total of 2,759,989 shares of common stock were issued in exchange for 1,104,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock, and a total of 3,449,985 shares of common stock were issued in exchange for 1,380,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock. The shares of Preferred Stock acquired by Newcastle in the Exchange Offer were retired upon receipt. After settlement of the Exchange Offer, 1,347,321 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, 496,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock and 620,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock remain outstanding for trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

The $43.0 million excess of the $87.5 million carrying value of the exchanged preferred stock over the $44.5 million fair value of consideration paid (which included $28.5 million of common stock and $16.0 million of cash) was recorded as an increase to Net Income (Loss) Applicable to Common Stockholders.

As of January 31, 2012, Newcastle had paid all current and accrued dividends on its preferred stock.