Common stock transactions

3 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2021

Common stock transactions

Common stock transactions

9. 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 17, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $2.0 billion increase to the existing common stock repurchase program, bringing the cumulative total to $12.0 billion authorized under the program since its inception in 2012. The repurchase authorization has no expiration date and allows repurchases from time to time in open market transactions, including pursuant to trading plans adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing, manner and number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including 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 Revolving Facility and issuance of CP Notes discussed in further detail in Note 5.

Pursuant to its common stock repurchase program, during the 13-week periods ended April 30, 2021 and May 1, 2020, the Company repurchased in the open market approximately 5.0 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $1.0 billion and approximately 0.5 million shares of its common stock at a total cost of $63.1 million, respectively.

The Company paid a cash dividend of $0.42 per share during the first quarter of 2021. On May 25, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.42 per share, which is payable on or before July 20, 2021 to shareholders of record on July 6, 2021. 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.