Stockholders' Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 30, 2011

Stockholders' Equity

Note 9: Stockholders’ Equity

Preferred Stock

The Company has authorized 5,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock with a par value of $0.001 per share. The Company committed to stockholders in a letter dated May 23, 2006 to limit its use to 2,000,000 preferred shares, unless the approval of the Company’s stockholders is obtained subsequently, such as through a further amendment to the Company’s authorized capital stock. None of the preferred shares were issued and outstanding at December 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

Treasury Stock

Net losses related to the re-issuance of treasury stock to settle restricted stock unit and stock option awards of $9,349,000, $11,041,000 and $9,648,000 were recorded as a reduction to retained earnings during fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Repurchase of Common Stock

The Company repurchased 1,002,000 shares of its common stock for $40,573,000 during the fiscal year ended December 30, 2011. The Company repurchased 244,000 shares of its common stock for $6,899,000 during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. The Company repurchased 540,000 shares of its common stock for $13,121,000 during the fiscal year ended January 1, 2010. On May 25, 2011 the Board of Directors authorized an additional $35.0 million for the repurchase of Exponent’s common stock. As of December 30, 2011, the Company had remaining authorization under its stock repurchase plan of $9,406,000 to repurchase shares of common stock.