pre_text: NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (in thousands, except for share and per share data) NOTE 15 — Shareholders' Equity A roll forward of common shares outstanding is as follows:
table: As of December 31,
table: 2019 2018
table: Balance at beginning of the year 32,750,727 32,938,466
table: Repurchases (420,770) (342,100)
table: Restricted stock unit issuances 142,449 154,361
table: Balance at end of period 32,472,406 32,750,727
question: Analyse this data from a financial earnings document. What was the change in the Balance at beginning of the year between 2018 and 2019?