Computation of Earnings Per Common Share

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



	13 Weeks Ended				26 Weeks Ended
	July 28, 2012		July 30, 2011		July 28, 2012		July 30, 2011
Numerator:
Net income attributed to Staples, Inc.	$	120,429	$	176,438	$	307,488	$	374,683
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	672,862		698,917		676,554		702,618
Effect of dilutive securities:
Employee stock options, restricted shares and performance shares	6,262		9,754		7,727		10,419
Weighted-average common shares outstanding assuming dilution	679,124		708,671		684,281		713,037

Basic earnings per common share	$	0.18	$	0.25	$	0.45	$	0.53
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.18	$	0.25	$	0.45	$	0.53

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 39.2 million and 36.0 million shares of Staples, Inc. common stock were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share at July 28, 2012 and July 30, 2011, respectively.