Computation of Earnings Per Common Share

The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of 2012 and 2011 is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):



	13 Weeks Ended
	April 28, 2012		April 30, 2011
Numerator:
Net income attributed to Staples, Inc.	$	187,059	$	198,245
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	680,246		706,318
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options, restricted shares and performance shares	9,191		11,085
Weighted-average common shares outstanding assuming dilution	689,437		717,403

Basic earnings per common share	$	0.27	$	0.28
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.27	$	0.28

Options to purchase shares of common stock are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share when their inclusion would have an anti-dilutive effect on the calculation. Options to purchase 39.8 million and 20.6 million shares of Staples common stock were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share at April 28, 2012 and April 30, 2011, respectively.