X0201 4 2004-04-19 0 0000006885 STAGE STORES INC STGS 0001182205 MCCREERY MICHAEL E 10201 S MAIN ST. HOUSTON TX 77025 0 1 0 0 Secretary, EVP & CFO Common Stock 2004-04-19 4 M 0 26124 13.75 A 26124 D Common Stock 2004-04-19 4 M 0 13876 15 A 40000 D Common Stock 2004-04-19 4 S 0 1500 40.05 D 38500 D Common Stock 2004-04-19 4 S 0 7500 39.92 D 31000 D Common Stock 2004-04-19 4 S 0 2500 39.9 D 28500 D Common Stock 2004-04-19 4 S 0 8500 39.83 D 20000 D Common Stock 2004-04-19 4 S 0 10000 39.78 D 10000 D Common Stock 2004-04-19 4 S 0 5000 39.68 D 5000 D Common Stock 2004-04-19 4 S 0 5000 39.55 D 0 D Common Stock 2004-04-20 4 M 0 12248 15 A 12248 D Common Stock 2004-04-20 4 M 0 26124 16.25 A 38372 D Common Stock 2004-04-20 4 S 0 8372 40.52 D 30000 D Common Stock 2004-04-20 4 S 0 5000 40.6 D 25000 D Common Stock 2004-04-20 4 S 0 5000 40.25 D 20000 D Common Stock 2004-04-20 4 S 0 5000 40.18 D 15000 D Common Stock 2004-04-20 4 S 0 5000 40.17 D 10000 D Common Stock 2004-04-20 4 S 0 5000 40.03 D 5000 D Common Stock 2004-04-20 4 S 0 5000 39.58 D 0 D Stock Option (right to buy) 13.75 2004-04-19 4 M 0 19583 0 D 2002-08-24 2011-08-24 Common Stock 19583 215417 D Stock Option (right to buy) 13.75 2004-04-19 4 M 0 6541 0 D 2003-08-24 2011-08-24 Common Stock 6541 208876 D Stock Option (right to buy) 15 2004-04-19 4 M 0 13876 0 D 2002-08-24 2011-08-24 Common Stock 13876 195000 D Stock Option (right to buy) 15 2004-04-20 4 M 0 5708 0 D 2002-08-24 2011-08-24 Common Stock 5708 189292 D Stock Option (right to buy) 15 2004-04-20 4 M 0 6540 0 D 2003-08-24 2011-08-24 Common Stock 6540 182752 D Stock Option (right to buy) 16.25 2004-04-20 4 M 0 19583 0 D 2002-08-24 2011-08-24 Common Stock 19583 163169 D Stock Option (right to buy) 16.25 2004-04-20 4 M 0 6541 0 D 2003-08-24 2011-08-24 Common Stock 6541 156628 D This sale was made pursuant to a pre-established, written plan for trading securities pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 adopted by the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. On August 24, 2001, the reporting person was granted stock options for 235,000 shares in three groupings with per share exercise prices of $13.75, $15.00 and $16.25, respectively. The right to exercise these options vest over four years from August 24, 2001, with 25% of each grouping vesting at the end of each of the first four years following the date of grant, and will expire on the earlier of (i) sixty days after the termination of the Officer's employment with the Company, or (ii) ten years from the date of grant. The stock options exercised and reported on this Form 4 are a portion of that grant. Michael E. McCreery 2004-04-21