Common stock transactions	12 Months Ended
Feb. 02, 2018
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. On March 14, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $1.0 billion increase to the existing common stock repurchase program and as of such date, a cumulative total of $6.0 billion had been authorized under the program since its inception. 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 Facilities and issuance of CP Notes discussed in further detail in Note 5. During the years ended February 2, 2018, February 3, 2017, and January 29, 2016, the Company repurchased approximately 7.1 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $0.6 billion, approximately 12.4 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $1.0 billion, and approximately 17.6 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $1.3 billion, respectively, pursuant to its common stock repurchase programs. The Company paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.26 per share in 2017. On March 14, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.29 per share, which is payable on or before April 24, 2018 to shareholders of record on April 10, 2018. The amount and declaration of future cash dividends is subject to the sole 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. On March 14, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $1.0 billion increase to the existing common stock repurchase program and as of such date, a cumulative total of $6.0 billion had been authorized under the program since its inception. 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 Facilities and issuance of CP Notes discussed in further detail in Note 5.

During the years ended February 2, 2018, February 3, 2017, and January 29, 2016, the Company repurchased approximately 7.1 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $0.6 billion, approximately 12.4 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $1.0 billion, and approximately 17.6 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $1.3 billion, respectively, pursuant to its common stock repurchase programs.

The Company paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.26 per share in 2017. On March 14, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.29 per share, which is payable on or before April 24, 2018 to shareholders of record on April 10, 2018. The amount and declaration of future cash dividends is subject to the sole 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.