NOTE 9 – DEBT

Our debt consists of the following:


	April 26, 2013		October 26, 2012		April 27, 2012
Short-term debt	$	328,133	$	94,441	$	9,138
Current portion of long-term debt		31,615		44,090		200,000
Long-term debt		1,012,550		1,012,578		1,061,875
Total Debt	$	1,372,298	$	1,151,109	$	1,271,013

The increase in short-term debt from October 26, 2012 was primarily due to commercial paper borrowings for share repurchases, the purchase of Ace Hardware Corporation's paint manufacturing business and to fund operations.

In the first quarter of 2012, we issued $400,000 of unsecured Senior Notes that mature on January 15, 2022 with a coupon rate of 4.20%. The proceeds, net of issuance costs, were $396,816. The public offering was made pursuant to a registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We used the net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including paying down our commercial paper borrowings and retiring our $200,000 of 5.625% Senior Notes that matured on May 1, 2012.

Our credit facilities have covenants that require us to maintain certain financial ratios. We were in compliance with these covenants as of April 26, 2013. Our debt covenants do not limit, nor are they reasonably likely to limit, our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing.

To ensure availability of funds, we maintain uncommitted bank lines of credit sufficient to cover outstanding short-term borrowings. These arrangements are reviewed periodically for renewal and modification.