Staples buying Office Depot in $6 billion deal, creating office-supply giant

16930203-small(AP) Staples is buying Office Depot in a cash-and-stock deal valued at nearly $6 billion.

Office Depot Inc. shareholders will receive $7.25 in cash and 0.2188 of a share in Staples Inc. at closing. The deal values Office Depot at $11 per share. The companies put the transaction’s value at $6.3 billion.

The deal is expected to close by year’s end.