Staples 2002 Annual Report Download - page 44

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the high and low sale prices per share of our common stock
on the Nasdaq National Market, as reported by Nasdaq.
High Low
Fiscal Year Ended February 1, 2003
First Quarter ................................................ $22.14 $16.64
Second Quarter .............................................. 21.88 14.28
Third Quarter ............................................... 16.90 11.92
Fourth Quarter .............................................. 19.46 14.81
High Low
Fiscal Year Ended February 2, 2002
First Quarter ................................................ $18.06 $14.25
Second Quarter .............................................. 16.84 13.80
Third Quarter ............................................... 16.22 11.56
Fourth Quarter .............................................. 19.20 15.25
We have never paid a cash dividend on our common stock. We presently intend to retain earnings for use in the
operation and expansion of our business and, therefore, do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable
future. In addition, our revolving credit agreement restricts the payment of dividends in the event we are in default under
the agreement or such payout would cause a default under the agreement.
On August 1, 2002, pursuant to a consulting agreement between Senator George Mitchell, one of our directors, and
us, under which Senator Mitchell provides consulting services to us in return for an annual fee of $75,000, we sold to
Senator Mitchell 4,706 shares of our common stock having a value of $75,000, in lieu of the $75,000 cash payment, in
reliance upon an exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The information required by this Item is attached as Appendix A.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The information required by this Item is attached as part of Appendix B.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risks
The information required by this Item is attached as part of Appendix B.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The information required by this Item is attached as Appendix C.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Not applicable.
PART III
Certain information required by Part III is omitted from this Annual Report on Form 10-K and incorporated herein
by reference to the definitive proxy statement with respect to our 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the ‘‘Proxy
Statement’’), which we will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the
fiscal year covered by this Report.
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
Certain information required by this Item is contained under the heading ‘‘Executive Officers of the Registrant’’ in
Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Other information required by this Item will appear under the headings
‘‘Election of Directors’’ and ‘‘Corporate Governance—Directors of Staples’’ in our Proxy Statement, which sections are
incorporated herein by reference.
The information required by Item 405 of Regulation S-K will appear under the heading ‘‘Executive Compensation—
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance’’ in our Proxy Statement, which section is incorporated
herein by reference.
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