NY -- Standard&Poor's CreditWire 3/14/97 -- Standard&Poor's ratings on Staples Inc. and Office Depot Inc. remain on CreditWatch with positive implications, where they were placed Sept. 5, 1996 (see list below). Staples and Office Depot negotiated an agreement to sell 63 stores for $108.8 million to competitor OfficeMax. The intent of the agreement is to satisfy the Federal Trade Commission's concerns that the merger would reduce competition in certain markets. The Federal Trade Commission is reviewing the merger and is expected to issue a decision within the next week. At that time Standard&Poor's expects to be able to complete its review of the ratings. -- CreditWire RATINGS REMAINING ON CREDITWATCH WITH POSITIVE IMPLICATIONS Staples
