Staples, Inc. Third Quarter EPS $.41

Staples, Inc. SPLS announced earlier today the results for its third quarter ended October 30, 2010. Total company sales of $6.5 billion for the third quarter of 2010 increased slightly compared to the third quarter of 2009. Net income for the third quarter of 2010 increased seven percent year over year to $289 million, and diluted earnings per share, on a GAAP basis, increased eight percent to $0.40 from the $0.37 achieved in the third quarter of 2009. Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.41 for the third quarter of 2010 increased five percent compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.39 achieved in the third quarter of 2009. These adjusted results exclude pre-tax integration and restructuring expense of $9 million during the third quarter of 2010 and $16 million during the third quarter of 2009.