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Office Depot approves rights agreement

10/31/2012

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot's board of directors have approved a rights agreement and declared a dividend distribution of one preferred stock purchase right for each outstanding share of company common stock. Each right initially represents the right to purchase 1/5,000th of a share of company preferred stock at $11.50. Also, initially, these purchase rights will not be exercisable and will trade with the shares of the company’s common stock. The rights agreement will expire on Oct. 23, 2013.



The rights will be exercisable if a person or a group, without board approval, acquires 15% or more of the company’s common stock, each holder of a right (other than the acquiring person, whose rights will become void and will not be exercisable) will have the right to receive, upon exercise, shares of company common stock having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the right. In addition, after a person has become an acquiring person, if the company is involved in a merger or other business combination transaction with another person after which its common stock does not remain outstanding, then each holder of a right shall thereafter have the right to receive, upon exercise, common stock or other equity interest of the ultimate parent of such other company having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the right.



According to Office Depot, the rights agreement is designed to protect all stockholders of the company against potential acquirers who may seek to take advantage of the company and its stockholders through coercive and unfair tactics aimed at gaining control of the company without paying all stockholders a full and fair price. The board believes that the rights agreement will enable all stockholders to realize the long-term value of their investment by safeguarding the board’s ability to continue to evaluate and take actions that are designed to create value for all stockholders.


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