Shareholders’ Equity

The authorized shares of the Company consist of 125 million shares of preferred stock (“Preferred Stock”), par value of $.01 per share, with no shares issued, and 1,000 million shares of Common Stock, par value of $.01 per share, with 333.6 million shares of Common Stock issued and 304.8 million shares of Common Stock outstanding at February 3, 2018, and with 333.6 million shares of Common Stock issued and 304.1 million shares of Common Stock outstanding at January 28, 2017 (with shares held in the Company’s treasury being treated as issued, but not outstanding).

The Company retired 8.0 million and 38.0 million shares of Common Stock during 2016 and 2015, respectively. No shares of Common Stock were retired during 2017.

Commencing in January 2000, the Company’s board of directors has from time to time approved authorizations to purchase, in the aggregate, up to $18,000 million of Common Stock, which includes the Company's board of directors approval of an additional authorization to purchase Common Stock of $1,500 million on February 26, 2016. All authorizations are cumulative and do not have an expiration date. During 2016, the Company purchased approximately 7.9 million shares of Common Stock under its share repurchase program for a total of $316 million. During 2015, the Company purchased approximately 34.8 million shares of Common Stock under its share repurchase program for a total of $2,000 million. As of February 3, 2018, $1,716 million of authorization remained unused. The Company may continue or, from time to time, suspend repurchases of its shares under its share repurchase program, depending on prevailing market conditions, alternative uses of capital and other factors.

Common Stock

The holders of the Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Subject to preferential rights that may be applicable to any Preferred Stock, holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors in its discretion, out of funds legally available.

Treasury Stock

Treasury stock contains shares repurchased under the share repurchase program, shares repurchased to cover employee tax liabilities related to stock plan activity and shares maintained in a trust related to deferred compensation plans. Under the deferred compensation plans, shares are maintained in a trust to cover the number estimated to be needed for distribution on account of stock credits currently outstanding.

Changes in the Company’s Common Stock issued and outstanding, including shares held by the Company’s treasury, are as follows:



			Treasury Stock
	Common Stock Issued		Deferred Compensation Plans		Other		Total		Common Stock Outstanding
					(thousands)
Balance at January 31, 2015	379,606		(1,179	)	(37,853	)	(39,032	)	340,574
Stock issued under stock plans			(60	)	4,493		4,433		4,433
Stock repurchases
Repurchase program					(34,807	)	(34,807	)	(34,807	)
Other					(13	)	(13	)	(13	)
Deferred compensation plan distributions			69				69		69
Retirement of common stock	(38,000	)			38,000		38,000		—
Balance at January 30, 2016	341,606		(1,170	)	(30,180	)	(31,350	)	310,256
Stock issued under stock plans			(87	)	1,612		1,525		1,525
Stock repurchases
Repurchase program					(7,874	)	(7,874	)	(7,874	)
Other					(5	)	(5	)	(5	)
Deferred compensation plan distributions			161				161		161
Retirement of common stock	(8,000	)			8,000		8,000		—
Balance at January 28, 2017	333,606		(1,096	)	(28,447	)	(29,543	)	304,063
Stock issued under stock plans			(119	)	590		471		471
Stock repurchases
Other					(38	)	(38	)	(38	)
Deferred compensation plan distributions			269				269		269
Balance at February 3, 2018	333,606		(946	)	(27,895	)	(28,841	)	304,765

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

For the Company, the only component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for 2017, 2016 and 2015 relates to post employment and postretirement plan items. The net actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs and credits related to post employment and postretirement benefit plans are reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss and included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (income) and are included in SG&A expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. In addition, the Company incurred the pro-rata recognition of net actuarial losses associated with an increase in lump sum distributions associated with store closings, a voluntary separation program, organizational restructuring, and periodic distribution activity as settlement charges in the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 9, "Retirement Plans," and Note 10, "Postretirement Health Care and Life Insurance Benefits," for further information.