pre_text: 8. Earnings Per Share Certain share-based payment awards entitling holders to receive non-forfeitable dividends before vesting are considered participating securities and thus included in the calculation of basic earnings per share, to the extent they are dilutive. These awards are included in the calculation of basic earnings per share under the two-class method. The two-class method allocates earnings for the period between common shareholders and other security holders. The participating awards receiving dividends are allocated the same amount of income as if they were outstanding shares. The following table presents earnings per share (in thousands).
table: For the years ended 
table: October 31, 2019 October 31, 2018   October 31, 2017
table: Net income  $53,294 $61,431 $279,745
table: Distributed and undistributed (earnings) to unvested restricted (778) (878) (4,285)
table: Distributed and undistributed earnings to common shareholders -- Basic 52,516 60,553 275,460
table: Weighted average shares outstanding — Basic  21,829 22,429 22,393
table: Weighted average shares outstanding — Diluted  21,829 22,429 22,393
table: Earnings per common share — Basic  $2.41 $2.70 $12.30
table: Earnings per common share — Diluted  $2.41 $2.70 $12.30
question: Analyse this data from a financial earnings document. What is the average net income for fiscal years 2019 and 2018?