<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 2, 2000
Registration Statement No. 333-_______
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
____________________
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
____________________
LOWE'S COMPANIES, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
North Carolina 56-0578072
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
incorporation or organization)
P.O. Box 1111
North Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28656-0001
(Address of principal executive office, including zip code)
LOWE'S COMPANIES, INC.
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN -
STOCK OPTIONS FOR EVERYONE
(Full title of the Plan)
____________________
Robert L. Tillman
President and Chief Executive Officer
Lowe's Companies, Inc.
P. O. Box 1111
North Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28656-0001
336-658-4000
(Name, address and telephone number including,
area code, of agent for service)
With copies to:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Lathan M. Ewers, Jr. Stephen A. Hellrung
Hunton & Williams Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Riverfront Plaza, East Tower Lowe's Companies, Inc.
951 East Byrd Street 1605 Curtis Bridge Road
Richmond, Virginia 23219-4074 North Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28697
804-788-8200 336-658-5445
</TABLE>
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===================================================================================================================
Proposed maximum Proposed maximum
Title of securities Amount to be offering price aggregate Amount of
to be registered registered per share offering price registration fee
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Common Stock, $.50 par value 5,000,000 shares(1) $50.75(2) $253,750,000(2) $66,990
Preferred Share Purchase Rights(3) 5,000,000 rights N/A N/A/ N/A
===================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1) This Registration Statement covers the maximum number of shares of common
stock of the Registrant which may be issued in connection with the transactions
described herein.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee. This
amount was calculated pursuant to Rule 457(h)(1) on the basis of $50.75 per
share, which was the average of the high and low sales prices of the Common
Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on May 1, 2000.
(3) The Rights to purchase Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A,
will be attached to and will trade with shares of the Common Stock of the
Company.
<PAGE>
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1. Plan Information.
Not required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission").
Item 2. Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information.
Not required to be filed with the Commission.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents filed by Lowe's Companies, Inc. (the "Company") with
the Commission (file No. 1-7083) are incorporated herein by reference and made a
part hereof: (i) the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended January 28, 2000; and (ii) the description of the Company's Common Stock
(the "Common Stock") and preferred stock purchase rights contained in the
Company's registration statements on Form 8-A filed under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including any amendment
or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of the Prospectus and prior to the
filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities offered
have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall
be deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Prospectus and to be a part
hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a
document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of the Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document that is
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such earlier statement.
Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of the Prospectus.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Article IV of the Company's Bylaws provides that the Company will indemnify
any person as an officer or director of the Company or as an officer, director,
trustee or partner of another corporation, trust, partnership or employee
benefit plan at the request of the Company, against any liability incurred in
connection with any proceeding arising out of such service. To the extent that
such person is successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any such
proceeding, the Company will indemnify him against expenses actually and
reasonably incurred in such defense. No indemnification is available if, at the
time of the activities which are the subject of the proceeding, such person knew
or believed that such activities were clearly in conflict with the best
interests of the Company. Further, Section 55-8-51 of the North Carolina
Business Corporation Act provides that a
<PAGE>
corporation may not indemnify a director in connection with a proceeding by or
in the right of the corporation in which such director was adjudged liable to
the corporation or in connection with any other proceeding charging improper
personal benefit to him, whether or not involving action in his official
capacity, in which is adjudged liable on the basis that personal benefit was
improperly received by him.
The Company maintains an insurance policy for the benefit of directors and
officers insuring them against claims that are made against them by reason of
any wrongful act (as defined) committed in their capacity as directors or
officers.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
- -----------
4.1 Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated December 2, 1999, between the
Company and Equiserve Trust Company, N.A., as Rights Agent (Incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit 2 of Amendment No. 2 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated February 14, 2000, as amended by
Exhibit 1 of Amendment No. 3 to the Company's Registration Statement on
Form 8-A dated March 2, 2000).
4.2 Lowe's Companies, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan - Stock Options for
Everyone.
5 Opinion of Hunton & Williams as to the legality of the securities being
registered.
23.1 Consent of Hunton & Williams (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit
5 to the Registration Statement).
23.2 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
24 Power of Attorney for Officers and Directors (included on page II-5 of
the Registration Statement).
Item 9. Undertakings
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
1. To file, during any period in which offers or sales are made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement;
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act");
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of the registration statement (or
the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which,
individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information set forth in the registration
statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that
which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high
and of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected
in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant
to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume
and price
<PAGE>
represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum
aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
Registration Fee" table in the effective registration
statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
registration statement or any material change in such
information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
- -------- -------
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to
Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by
reference in the registration statement.
2. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
----
fide offering thereof.
- ----
3. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes
of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of
the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
----
fide offering thereof.
- ----
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 6 above, or
otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event
that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the
payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or
controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person
in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
<PAGE>
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes Stephen A.
Hellrung, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Lowe's
Companies, Inc., and Lathan M. Ewers, Jr., Hunton & Williams, to sign in the
name of each such person, and to file, any amendment, including any post-
effective amendment, to the registration statement and appoints such persons, to
sign on his behalf individually and in each capacity stated below and to file
all amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement and
Lowe's Companies, Inc. hereby confers like authority to sign and file on its
behalf.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant certifies
that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements
for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the North
Wilkesboro, North Carolina, on this 2nd day of May, 2000.
LOWE'S COMPANIES, INC.
(Registrant)
By /s/ Robert L. Tillman
---------------------
Robert L. Tillman, Chairman of the
Board of Directors, President,
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration
statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated
on this 2nd day of May, 2000.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title
--------- -----
<S> <C>
By /s/ Robert L. Tillman Chairman of the Board of Directors, President,
---------------------------------- Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive
Robert L. Tillman Officer)
By /s/ Thomas E. Whiddon Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
---------------------------------- (Principal Financial Officer)
Thomas E. Whiddon
By /s/ Kenneth W. Black, Jr. Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer,
---------------------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer)
Kenneth W. Black, Jr.
By /s/ Leonard L. Berry, Ph. D. Director
----------------------------------
Leonard L. Berry, Ph. D.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
By /s/ Peter C. Browning Director
----------------------------------
Peter C. Browning
By Director
----------------------------------
Carol A. Farmer
By /s/ Paul Fulton Director
----------------------------------
Paul Fulton
By Director
----------------------------------
James F. Halpin
By /s/ Kenneth D. Lewis Director
----------------------------------
Kenneth D. Lewis
By /s/ Richard K. Lochridge Director
----------------------------------
Richard K. Lochridge
By /s/ Claudine B. Malone Director
----------------------------------
Claudine B. Malone
By /s/ Thomas D. O'Malley Director
----------------------------------
Thomas D. O'Malley
By /s/ Robert G. Schwartz Director
----------------------------------
Robert G. Schwartz
By Director
----------------------------------
Robert L. Strickland
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
____________________
EXHIBITS
filed with
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
on
FORM S-8
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
____________________
LOWE'S COMPANIES, INC.
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN -
STOCK OPTIONS FOR EVERYONE
(full title of the plan)
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Sequentially
Exhibit No. Description Numbered Page
- -------------------- -------------------- --------------
<C> <S>
4.1 Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated
December 2, 1999, between the Company and
Equiserve Trust Company, N.A., as Rights Agent
(Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2
of Amendment No. 2 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated
February 14, 2000, as amended by Exhibit 1 of
Amendment No. 3 to the Company's Registration
Statement on Form 8-A dated March 2, 2000).
4.2 Lowe's Companies, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase
Plan - Stock Options for Everyone.
5 Opinion of Hunton & Williams as to the
legality of the securities being registered.
23.1 Consent of Hunton & Williams (included in the
opinion filed as Exhibit 5 to the Registration
Statement).
23.2 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
24 Power of Attorney for Officers and Directors
(included on page II-5 of the Registration
Statement).
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Exhibit 4.2
-----------
LOWE'S COMPANIES
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN-
STOCK OPTIONS FOR EVERYONE
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS...................................................... 1
1.01. Administrator................................................... 1
1.02. Affiliate....................................................... 1
1.03. Board........................................................... 1
1.04. Change in Control............................................... 1
1.05. Code............................................................ 1
1.06. Committee....................................................... 1
1.07. Common Stock.................................................... 2
1.08. Company......................................................... 2
1.09. Compensation.................................................... 2
1.10. Control Change Date............................................. 2
1.11. Date of Exercise................................................ 2
1.12. Date of Grant................................................... 2
1.13. Election Date................................................... 2
1.14. Eligible Employee............................................... 3
1.15. Enrollment Form................................................. 3
1.16. Enrollment Period............................................... 3
1.17. Exchange Act.................................................... 3
1.18. Fair Market Value............................................... 3
1.19. Five Percent Shareholder........................................ 3
1.20. Offering Period................................................. 4
1.21. Option.......................................................... 4
1.22. Participant..................................................... 4
1.23. Plan............................................................ 4
1.24. Rights Agreement................................................ 4
ARTICLE II PURPOSES........................................................ 4
ARTICLE III ADMINISTRATION................................................. 4
ARTICLE IV ELIGIBILITY..................................................... 5
ARTICLE V COMPENSATION DEDUCTIONS.......................................... 5
5.01. Enrollment Form................................................. 5
5.02. Participant's Account........................................... 6
ARTICLE VI OPTION GRANTS................................................... 6
6.01. Number of Shares................................................ 6
6.02. Option Price.................................................... 6
ARTICLE VII EXERCISE OF OPTION............................................. 6
7.01. Automatic Exercise.............................................. 6
7.02. Change in Control............................................... 7
7.03. Nontransferability.............................................. 7
7.04. Employee Status................................................. 7
7.05. Delivery of Certificates........................................ 8
7.06. Vesting......................................................... 8
ARTICLE VIII WITHDRAWAL AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT...................... 8
-i-
<PAGE>
8.01. Generally...................................................... 8
8.02. Subsequent Participation....................................... 8
ARTICLE IX STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN.......................................... 8
9.01. Aggregate Limit................................................ 8
9.02. Reallocation of Shares......................................... 9
ARTICLE X ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGE IN COMMON STOCK.......................... 9
ARTICLE XI COMPLIANCE WITH LAW AND APPROVAL OF REGULATORY BODIES.......... 9
ARTICLE XII GENERAL PROVISIONS........................................... 10
12.01. Effect on Employment and Service............................. 10
12.02. Unfunded Plan................................................ 10
12.03. Rules of Construction........................................ 10
ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENT................................................... 10
ARTICLE XIV DURATION OF PLAN............................................. 10
ARTICLE XV EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN........................................ 11
-ii-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
1.01. Administrator.
-------------
Administrator means the Committee and any delegate of the Committee that is
appointed in accordance with Article III.
1.02. Affiliate.
---------
Affiliate means any "parent corporation" or "subsidiary corporation"
(within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code) of the Company, including a
corporation that becomes an Affiliate after the adoption of this Plan, that the
Board designates as a participating employer in the Plan.
1.03. Board.
-----
Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
1.04. Change in Control.
-----------------
Change in Control means that following a Stock Acquisition Date, directly
or indirectly, (i) the Company shall consolidate with, or merge with and into,
any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction that
complies with Section 11(n) of the Rights Agreement), and the Company shall not
be the continuing or surviving corporation of such consolidation or merger, (ii)
any Person (other than a Subsidiary of the Company in a transaction that
complies with Section 11(n) of the Rights Agreement), shall consolidate with, or
merge with or into, the Company, and the Company shall be the continuing or
surviving corporation in such consolidation or merger and, in connection with
such consolidation or merger, all or part of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock shall be changed into or exchanged for stock or other securities of any
other person or cash or any other property, (iii) the Company shall be a party
to a statutory share exchange with any other Person (other than a Subsidiary of
the Company in a transaction that complies with Section 11(n) of the Rights
Agreement), after which the Company is a Subsidiary of any other Person, or (iv)
the Company shall sell or otherwise transfer (or one or more of its Subsidiaries
shall sell or otherwise transfer), in one transaction or a series of related
transactions, assets or earning power aggregating more than 50% of the assets or
earning power of the Company and it subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any
Person or Persons (other than the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in
one or more transactions each of which complies with Section 11(n) of the Rights
Agreement). For purposes of this Plan, the terms "Stock Acquisition Date,"
"Person," and "Subsidiary" shall have the same meaning as assigned to such terms
in the Rights Agreement.
1.05. Code.
----
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and any amendments thereto.
1.06. Committee.
---------
Committee means the Compensation Committee of the Board.
<PAGE>
1.07. Common Stock.
------------
Common Stock means the common stock of the Company.
1.08. Company.
-------
Company means Lowe's Companies, Inc.
1.09. Compensation.
------------
Compensation means, as to payroll periods ending during an Offering Period,
(a) in the case of an employee who is classified as a full-time employee under
the payroll procedures of the Company or an Affiliate and who works at least 80
hours in a payroll period, the employee's base salary or wages for the biweekly
payroll period based on 80 hours of work during the payroll period, (b) in the
case of an employee who is classified as a full-time employee under the payroll
procedures of the Company or an Affiliate and who works less than 80 hours in a
payroll period, the employee's actual base salary or wages for the biweekly
payroll period, (c) in the case of an employee who is not classified as a full-
time employee under the payroll procedures of the Company or an Affiliate and
who works at least 40 hours in a payroll period, the employee's base salary or
wages for the biweekly payroll period based on 40 hours of work during the
payroll period and (d) in the case of an employee who is not classified as a
full-time employee under the payroll procedures of the Company or an Affiliate
and who works less than 40 hours in a payroll period, the employee's actual base
salary or wages for the biweekly payroll period.
1.10. Control Change Date.
-------------------
Control Change Date means the date on which a Change in Control occurs. If
a Change in Control occurs on account of a series of transactions, the "Control
Change Date" is the date of the last of such transactions.
1.11. Date of Exercise.
----------------
Date of Exercise means each November 30 next following the June 1 Date of
Grant and each May 31 next following the December 1 Date of Grant.
1.12. Date of Grant.
-------------
Date of Grant means each June 1 and each December 1 during the term of the
Plan.
1.13. Election Date.
-------------
Election Date means the last business day of the Enrollment Period.
-2-
<PAGE>
1.14. Eligible Employee.
-----------------
Eligible Employee means (a) an employee of the Company or an Affiliate who
is classified as a full-time employee under the payroll procedures of the
Company or Affiliate and (b) an employee of the Company or an Affiliate who is
not classified as a full-time employee under the payroll procedures of the
Company or Affiliate and who has completed at least twelve months of continuous
employment with the Company and its Affiliates. The preceding sentence to the
contrary notwithstanding, an individual who is a Five Percent Shareholder is not
an Eligible Employee.
1.15. Enrollment Form.
---------------
Enrollment Form means the form, prescribed by the Administrator, that a
Participant uses to authorize a reduction in his Compensation in accordance with
Article V.
1.16. Enrollment Period.
-----------------
Enrollment Period means (a) the month of May in the case of the Offering
Period beginning on June 1 and (b) the month of November in the case of the
Offering period beginning on December 1.
1.17. Exchange Act.
------------
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
1.18. Fair Market Value.
-----------------
Fair Market Value means, on any given date, the reported "closing" price of
a share of Common Stock on the primary exchange on which shares of the Common
Stock are listed. If, on any given date, no share of Common Stock is traded on
an established stock exchange, then Fair Market Value shall be determined with
reference to the next preceding day that the Common Stock was so traded.
1.19. Five Percent Shareholder.
------------------------
Five Percent Shareholder means any individual who, immediately after the
grant of an Option owns or would be deemed to own more than five percent of the
total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or
of an Affiliate. For this purpose, (i) an individual shall be considered to own
any stock owned (directly or indirectly) by or for his brothers, sisters,
spouse, ancestors or lineal descendants and shall be considered to own
proportionately any stock owned (directly or indirectly) by or for a
corporation, partnership, estate or trust of which such individual is a
shareholder, partner or beneficiary, and (ii) stock of the Company or an
Affiliate that an individual may purchase under outstanding options (whether or
not granted under this Plan) shall be treated as stock owned by the individual.
-3-
<PAGE>
1.20. Offering Period.
---------------
Offering Period means the period beginning on each Date of Grant and ending
on the next following Date of Exercise.
1.21. Option.
------
Option means a stock option that entitles the holder to purchase from the
Company a stated number of shares of Common Stock in accordance with, and
subject to, the terms and conditions prescribed by the Plan.
1.22. Participant.
-----------
Participant means an Eligible Employee, including an Eligible Employee who
is a member of the Board, who satisfies the requirements of Article IV and who
elects to receive an Option.
1.23. Plan.
----
Plan means the Lowe's Companies Employee Stock Purchase Plan - Stock
Options for Everyone.
1.24. Rights Agreement.
----------------
Rights Agreement means the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement dated
December 2, 1999 between the Company and Equiserve Trust Company, N.A. as Rights
Agent.
ARTICLE II
PURPOSES
The Plan is intended to assist the Company and its Affiliates in recruiting
and retaining individuals with ability and initiative by enabling such persons
to participate in the future success of the Company and its Affiliates and to
associate their interests with those of the Company and its shareholders. The
Plan is intended to permit the grant of Options qualifying under Section 423 of
the Code. No Option shall be invalid for failure to qualify under Section 423
of the Code. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common Stock
pursuant to this Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes.
ARTICLE III
ADMINISTRATION
The Plan shall be administered by the Administrator. The Administrator
shall have complete authority to interpret all provisions of this Plan; to
adopt, amend, and rescind rules and regulations pertaining to the administration
of the Plan; and to make all other determinations
-4-
<PAGE>
necessary or advisable for the administration of this Plan. The express grant in
the Plan of any specific power to the Administrator shall not be construed as
limiting any power or authority of the Administrator. Any decision made, or
action taken, by the Administrator in connection with the administration of this
Plan shall be final and conclusive. Neither the Administrator nor any member of
the Committee shall be liable for any act done in good faith with respect to
this Plan or any Option. All expenses of administering this Plan shall be borne
by the Company.
The Committee, in its discretion, may delegate to one or more officers of
the Company all or part of the Committee's authority and duties. The Committee
may revoke or amend the terms of a delegation at any time but such action shall
not invalidate any prior actions of the Committee's delegate or delegates that
were consistent with the terms of the Plan.
ARTICLE IV
ELIGIBILITY
Each person who is or will be an Eligible Employee on the Date of Grant may
elect to participate in the Plan by completing an Enrollment Form in accordance
with Section 5.01 and returning it to the Administrator on or before the
Election Date.
ARTICLE V
COMPENSATION DEDUCTIONS
5.01. Enrollment Form.
---------------
(a) An Eligible Employee who satisfies the requirements of Article IV
becomes a Participant for an Offering Period by completing an Enrollment Form
and returning it to the Administrator on or before the Election Date. The
Participant's Enrollment Form shall authorize deductions from his or her
Compensation for purposes of the Plan and shall specify the percentage of
Compensation to be deducted; provided, however, that the percentage shall be in
multiples of one percent and shall be at least one percent but not more than
twenty percent and shall not exceed $10,625 for any Offering Period.
(b) A Participant may not contribute to, or otherwise accumulate funds
under, the Plan except by Compensation deductions in accordance with his or her
Enrollment Form.
(c) A Participant's Enrollment Form becomes operative on the Election
Date. An Enrollment Form may be amended or revoked before the Election Date.
Once an Enrollment Form becomes operative it will continue in effect, and may
not be amended, until the earlier of the Date of Exercise, the Participant's
termination of employment or the Participant's withdrawal from the Plan in
accordance with Section 8.01.
-5-
<PAGE>
5.02. Participant's Account.
---------------------
A recordkeeping account shall be established for each Participant. All
amounts deducted from a Participant's Compensation pursuant to his or her
Enrollment Form shall be credited to his or her account. No interest will be
paid or credited to the account of any Participant.
ARTICLE VI
OPTION GRANTS
6.01. Number of Shares.
----------------
(a) Each Eligible Employee who is a Participant on the Date of Grant
shall be granted an Option as of the Date of Grant. The number of shares of
Common Stock subject to such Option shall be the number of whole shares
determined by dividing the option price into the balance credited to the
Participant's account as of the Date of Exercise. Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, no Participant will be granted an Option as of any Date of Grant for
more than a number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing $12,500 by
the Fair Market Value on the Date of Grant.
(b) An Option covering a fractional share will not be granted under the
Plan. Any amount remaining to the credit of the Participant's account after the
exercise of an Option shall remain in the account and applied to the payment of
the option price of the Option granted in the following Offering Period, if the
Participant continues to participate in the Plan or, if he or she does not
continue to participate in the Plan, shall be returned to the Participant.
6.02. Option Price.
------------
The price per share for Common Stock purchased on the exercise of an Option
shall be the lesser of (i) eighty-five percent of the Fair Market Value on the
Date of Grant or (ii) eighty-five percent of the Fair Market Value on the Date
of Exercise.
ARTICLE VII
EXERCISE OF OPTION
7.01. Automatic Exercise.
------------------
Subject to the provisions of Articles VIII, IX and XI, each Option shall be
exercised automatically as of the Date of Exercise next following the Option's
Date of Grant for the number of whole shares of Common Stock that may be
purchased at the option price for that Option with the balance credited to the
Participant's account.
-6-
<PAGE>
7.02. Change in Control.
-----------------
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, in the event of a
Change in Control the Committee may prescribe that (i) the Date of Exercise for
all outstanding Options shall be the Control Change Date (in which case the
option price per share shall be the lesser of 85% of the Fair Market Value on
the Date of Grant or 85% of the Fair Market Value on the Control Change Date),
(ii) all outstanding Options shall be canceled as of the Control Change Date and
each Participant shall be entitled to a payment per share (in cash or other
property as determined by the Committee), equal to the Fair Market Value of the
number of shares of Common Stock that would have been issued to the Participant
if the Option had been exercised under the preceding clause (i) or (iii) a
substitute option shall be granted for each outstanding Option in accordance
with Section 424 of the Code.
(b) A Participant shall be entitled to a payment under this Plan if (i)
any benefit, payment, accelerated vesting or other right under this Plan
constitutes a "parachute payment" (as defined in Code section 280G(b)(2)(A), but
without regard to Code section 280G(b)(2)(A)(ii)), with respect to such
Participant and (ii) the Participant incurs a liability under Code section 4999.
The amount payable to a Participant described in the preceding sentence shall be
the amount required to indemnify the Participant and hold him harmless from the
application of Code sections 280G and 4999. To effect this indemnification, the
Company must pay such Participant an amount sufficient to pay the excise tax
imposed on Participant under code section 4999 with respect to benefits,
payments, accelerated vesting and other rights under this Plan and any other
plan or agreement and any income, employment, hospitalization, excise or other
taxes attributable to the indemnification payment. The benefit payable under
this Section 7.02(b) shall be paid in a single cash sum not later than twenty
days after the date (or extended filing date) on which the tax return reflecting
liability for the Code section 4999 excise tax is required to be filed with the
Internal Revenue Service.
7.03. Nontransferability.
------------------
Each Option granted under this Plan shall be nontransferable. During the
lifetime of the Participant to whom the Option is granted, the Option may be
exercised only by the Participant. No right or interest of a Participant in any
Option shall be liable for, or subject to, any lien, obligation, or liability of
such Participant.
7.04. Employee Status.
---------------
For purposes of determining whether an individual is employed by the
Company or an Affiliate, the Administrator may decide to what extent leaves of
absence for governmental or military service, illness, temporary disability, or
other reasons shall not be deemed interruptions of continuous employment.
-7-
<PAGE>
7.05. Delivery of Certificates.
------------------------
Subject to the provisions of Articles IX and XI, the Company shall deliver,
to a broker designated by the Administrator, the certificate or certificates
evidencing the shares of Common Stock acquired by each Participant during an
Offering Period. Certificates evidencing the shares acquired by a Participant
shall be delivered to the Participant as promptly as possible following the
Participant's request to such broker or, upon the Participant's direction, the
broker shall sell such shares of Common Stock and deliver the net sales proceeds
to the Participant.
7.06. Vesting.
-------
A Participant's interest in the Common Stock purchased upon the exercise of
an Option shall be immediately vested and nonforfeitable.
ARTICLE VIII
WITHDRAWAL AND
TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
8.01. Generally.
---------
A Participant may revoke his or her Enrollment Form for an Offering Period
and withdraw from Participation in the Plan for that Offering Period by giving
written notice to that effect to the Administrator at any time before the Date
of Exercise. In that event, all of the payroll deductions credited to his or
her account will be paid to the Participant promptly after receipt of the notice
of withdrawal and no further payroll deductions will be made from his or her
Compensation for that Offering Period. A Participant shall be deemed to have
elected to withdraw from the Plan in accordance with this Section 8.01 if he or
she ceases to be an employee of the Company and its Affiliates for any reason.
8.02. Subsequent Participation.
------------------------
A Participant who has withdrawn his participation in the Plan under Section
8.01 may submit a new Enrollment Form to the Administrator and resume
participation in the Plan for any later Offering Period, provided that he or she
satisfies the requirements of Article IV and the Administrator receives his or
her Enrollment Form on or before the Election Date.
ARTICLE IX
STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN
9.01. Aggregate Limit.
---------------
The maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued
under this Plan pursuant to the exercise of Options is 5,000,000 shares. The
maximum aggregate
-8-
<PAGE>
number of shares that may be issued under this Plan shall be subject to
adjustment as provided in Article X.
9.02. Reallocation of Shares.
----------------------
If an Option is terminated, in whole or in part, for any reason other than
its exercise, the number of shares of Common Stock allocated to the Option or
portion thereof shall be reallocated to other Options to be granted under this
Plan.
ARTICLE X
ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGE IN COMMON STOCK
The maximum number of shares as to which Options may be granted under this
Plan and the terms of outstanding Options shall be adjusted as the Committee
shall determine to be equitably required in the event that (a) the Company (i)
effects one or more stock dividends, stock split-ups, subdivisions or
consolidations of shares or (ii) engages in a transaction to which Section 424
of the Code applies or (b) there occurs any other event which, in the judgment
of the Committee necessitates such action. Any determination made under this
Article X by the Committee shall be final and conclusive.
The issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities
convertible into shares of stock of any class, for cash or property, or for
labor or services, either upon direct sale or upon the exercise of rights or
warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of shares or obligations of
the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, shall not affect,
and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the maximum
number of shares as to which Options may be granted or the terms of outstanding
Options.
ARTICLE XI
COMPLIANCE WITH LAW AND
APPROVAL OF REGULATORY BODIES
No Option shall be exercisable, no Common Stock shall be issued, no
certificates for shares of Common Stock shall be delivered, and no payment shall
be made under this Plan except in compliance with all applicable federal and
state laws and regulations (including, without limitation, withholding tax
requirements), any listing agreement to which the Company is a party, and the
rules of all domestic stock exchanges on which the Company's shares may be
listed. The Company shall have the right to rely on an opinion of its counsel
as to such compliance. Any share certificate issued to evidence Common Stock
for which an Option is exercised may bear such legends and statements as the
Administrator may deem advisable to assure compliance with federal and state
laws and regulations. No Option shall be exercisable, no Common Stock shall be
issued, no certificate for shares shall be delivered, and no payment shall be
made under this Plan until the Company has obtained such consent or approval as
the Administrator may deem advisable from regulatory bodies having jurisdiction
over such matters.
-9-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE XII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
12.01. Effect on Employment and Service.
--------------------------------
Neither the adoption of this Plan, its operation, nor any documents
describing or referring to this Plan (or any part thereof) shall confer upon any
individual any right to continue in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate or
in any way affect any right and power of the Company or an Affiliate to
terminate the employment of any individual at any time with or without assigning
a reason therefor.
12.02. Unfunded Plan.
-------------
The Plan, insofar as it provides for grants, shall be unfunded, and the
Company shall not be required to segregate any assets that may at any time be
represented by grants under this Plan. Any liability of the Company to any
person with respect to any grant under this Plan shall be based solely upon any
contractual obligations that may be created pursuant to this Plan. No such
obligation of the Company shall be deemed to be secured by any pledge of, or
other encumbrance on, any property of the Company.
12.03. Rules of Construction.
---------------------
Headings are given to the articles and sections of this Plan solely as a
convenience to facilitate reference. The reference to any statute, regulation,
or other provision of law shall be construed to refer to any amendment to or
successor of such provision of law.
ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENT
The Board may amend or terminate this Plan from time to time; provided,
however, that no amendment may become effective until shareholder approval is
obtained if (i) the amendment increases the aggregate number of shares of Common
Stock that may be issued under the Plan or (ii) the amendment changes the class
of individuals eligible to become Participants. No amendment shall, without a
Participant's consent, adversely affect any rights of such Participant under any
Option outstanding at the time such amendment is made.
ARTICLE XIV
DURATION OF PLAN
No Option may be granted under this Plan more than ten years after the
earlier of the date this Plan is adopted by the Board or the date this Plan is
approved by shareholders in accordance with Article XV. Options granted before
that date shall remain valid in accordance with their terms.
-10-
<PAGE>
ARTICLE XV
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN
Options may be granted under this Plan upon its approval by a majority of
the votes entitled to be cast by the Company's shareholders, voting either in
person or by proxy, at a duly held shareholders' meeting within twelve months
after this Plan is adopted by the Board.
-11-
<PAGE>
Exhibit 5.1
-----------
Hunton & Williams
951 East Byrd Street
Riverfront Plaza, East Tower
Richmond, VA 23219
May 2, 2000
Lowe's Companies, Inc.
1605 Curtis Bridge Road
Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28697
Registration Statement on Form S-8
Relating to 5,000,000 Shares of Common Stock
--------------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Lowe's Companies, Inc., a North Carolina
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the registration by the Company
of an aggregate of 5,000,000 of its shares of common stock, par value $.50 per
share (the "Common Stock"), as set forth in the Registration Statement on Form
S-8 (the "Registration Statement") that is being filed on the date hereof with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") by the Company.
In rendering this opinion, we have relied upon, among other things, our
examination of such records of the Company and certificates of its officers and
of public officials as we have deemed necessary.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. the Company is duly incorporated, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of North Carolina; and
2. the Common Stock has been duly authorized and, upon the issuance and
sale of the Common Stock in accordance with the Lowe's Companies, Inc. Employee
Stock Purchase Plan filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement, the
Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Hunton & Williams
<PAGE>
Exhibit 23.2
------------
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of
Lowe's Companies, Inc. on Form S-8 of our report dated February 17, 2000,
appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Lowe's Companies, Inc. for the
year ended January 28, 2000.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Charlotte, North Carolina
April 28, 2000
