Common stock transactions	12 Months Ended
Feb. 03, 2017
Common stock transactions
Common stock transactions	11. Common stock transactions On August 29, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a common stock repurchase program, which the Board has since increased on several occasions. Most recently, on August 24, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $1.0 billion increase to the existing common stock repurchase program. As of February 3, 2017, a cumulative total of $5.0 billion had been authorized under the program since its inception and approximately $933.3 million remained available for repurchase. The repurchase authorization has no expiration date and allows repurchases from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and number of shares purchased depends on a variety of factors, such as price, market conditions, compliance with the covenants and restrictions under the Company’s debt agreements and other factors. Repurchases under the program may be funded from available cash or borrowings including under the Company’s amended and restated credit facilities and issuance of CP Notes discussed in further detail in Note 5. During the years ended February 3, 2017, January 29, 2016, and January 30, 2015, the Company repurchased approximately 12.4 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $1.0 billion, approximately 17.6 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $1.3 billion and approximately 14.1 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $0.8 billion, respectively, pursuant to its common stock repurchase programs. The Company paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.25 per share during each of the four quarters of 2016. On March 15, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.26 per share, which is payable on April 25, 2017 to shareholders of record as of April 11, 2017. The amount and declaration of future cash dividends is subject to the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, the Company’s results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the Board may deem relevant in its sole discretion.

11. Common stock transactions

On August 29, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a common stock repurchase program, which the Board has since increased on several occasions. Most recently, on August 24, 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $1.0 billion increase to the existing common stock repurchase program. As of February 3, 2017, a cumulative total of $5.0 billion had been authorized under the program since its inception and approximately $933.3 million remained available for repurchase. The repurchase authorization has no expiration date and allows repurchases from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and number of shares purchased depends on a variety of factors, such as price, market conditions, compliance with the covenants and restrictions under the Company’s debt agreements and other factors. Repurchases under the program may be funded from available cash or borrowings including under the Company’s amended and restated credit facilities and issuance of CP Notes discussed in further detail in Note 5.

During the years ended February 3, 2017, January 29, 2016, and January 30, 2015, the Company repurchased approximately 12.4 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $1.0 billion, approximately 17.6 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $1.3 billion and approximately 14.1 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $0.8 billion, respectively, pursuant to its common stock repurchase programs.

The Company paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.25 per share during each of the four quarters of 2016. On March 15, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.26 per share, which is payable on April 25, 2017 to shareholders of record as of April 11, 2017. The amount and declaration of future cash dividends is subject to the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, the Company’s results of operations, cash requirements, financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the Board may deem relevant in its sole discretion.