SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
----------------------
SCHEDULE 13G
(Rule 13d-102)
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT
TO RULES 13d-1(b), (c) AND (d) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED
PURSUANT TO 13d-2(b)*
Stage Stores, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)
85254C305
(CUSIP Number)
October 1, 2002
(Date of event which requires filing of this statement)
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this
Schedule 13G is filed:
[ ] Rule 13d-1(b)
[X] Rule 13d-1(c)
[ ] Rule 13d-1(d)
(Page 1 of 13 Pages)
---------------
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of
securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would
alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the
Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).
CUSIP No. 85254C305 13G Page 2 of 13 Pages
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(1) NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
SAB CAPITAL PARTNERS, L.P.
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(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
(a) [X]
(b) [ ]
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(3) SEC USE ONLY
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(4) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
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NUMBER OF (5) SOLE VOTING POWER
-0-
SHARES --------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY (6) SHARED VOTING POWER
622,537
OWNED BY --------------------------------------------------------------
EACH (7) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
REPORTING --------------------------------------------------------------
PERSON WITH (8) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
622,537
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(9) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
622,537
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(10) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ** [ ]
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(11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
3.2%
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(12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
PN
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** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
CUSIP No. 85254C305 13G Page 3 of 13 Pages
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(1) NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
SAB CAPITAL PARTNERS II, L.P.
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(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
(a) [X]
(b) [ ]
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(3) SEC USE ONLY
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(4) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
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NUMBER OF (5) SOLE VOTING POWER
-0-
SHARES --------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY (6) SHARED VOTING POWER
17,255
OWNED BY --------------------------------------------------------------
EACH (7) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
REPORTING --------------------------------------------------------------
PERSON WITH (8) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
17,255
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(9) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
17,255
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(10) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ** [ ]
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(11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
0.1%
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(12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
PN
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** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
CUSIP No. 85254C305 13G Page 4 of 13 Pages
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(1) NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
SAB CAPITAL ADVISORS, L.L.C.
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(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
(a) [X]
(b) [ ]
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(3) SEC USE ONLY
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(4) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
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NUMBER OF (5) SOLE VOTING POWER
-0-
SHARES --------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY (6) SHARED VOTING POWER
639,792
OWNED BY --------------------------------------------------------------
EACH (7) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
REPORTING --------------------------------------------------------------
PERSON WITH (8) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
639,792
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(9) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
639,792
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ** [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
3.3%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
OO
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** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
CUSIP No. 85254C305 13G Page 5 of 13 Pages
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(1) NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
SAB OVERSEAS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.P.
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(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
(a) [X]
(b) [ ]
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(3) SEC USE ONLY
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(4) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
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NUMBER OF (5) SOLE VOTING POWER
-0-
SHARES --------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY (6) SHARED VOTING POWER
620,085
OWNED BY --------------------------------------------------------------
EACH (7) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
REPORTING --------------------------------------------------------------
PERSON WITH (8) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
620,085
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(9) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
620,085
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ** [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
3.2%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
PN
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
CUSIP No. 85254C305 13G Page 6 of 13 Pages
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(1) NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
SAB CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.L.C.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
(a) [X]
(b) [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) SEC USE ONLY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
Delaware
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF (5) SOLE VOTING POWER
-0-
SHARES --------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY (6) SHARED VOTING POWER
620,085
OWNED BY --------------------------------------------------------------
EACH (7) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
REPORTING --------------------------------------------------------------
PERSON WITH (8) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
620,085
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(9) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
620,085
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ** [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
3.2%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
OO
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
CUSIP No. 85254C305 13G Page 7 of 13 Pages
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(1) NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO.
OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
SCOTT A BOMMER
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP **
(a) [X]
(b) [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) SEC USE ONLY
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(4) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
United States of America
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF (5) SOLE VOTING POWER
-0-
SHARES --------------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY (6) SHARED VOTING POWER
1,259,877
OWNED BY --------------------------------------------------------------
EACH (7) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
REPORTING --------------------------------------------------------------
PERSON WITH (8) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
1,259,877
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(9) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED
BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
1,259,877
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(10) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT
IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES ** [ ]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED
BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
6.5%
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(12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON **
IN
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** SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
CUSIP No. 85254C305 13G Page 8 of 13 Pages
Item 1(a). Name of Issuer:
The name of the issuer is Stage Stores, Inc. (the "Company").
Item 1(b). Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:
The Company's principal executive office is located at 10201 Main Street,
Houston, TX 77025
Item 2(a). Name of Person Filing:
This statement is filed by:
(i) SAB Capital Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
("SAB"), with respect to shares of Common Stock (as defined
in Item 2(d) below) directly owned by it;
(ii) SAB Capital Partners II, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
("SAB II", and together with SAB, the "Partnerships"), with
respect to shares of Common Stock (as defined in Item 2(d)
below) directly owned by it;
(iii) SAB Capital Advisors, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability
company (the "General Partner"), which serves as the general
partner of each of the Partnerships, with respect to shares
of Common Stock (as defined in Item 2(d) below) directly
owned by each of the Partnerships;
(iv) SAB Overseas Capital Management, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership (the "Investment Manager"), which serves as
investment manager to and has investment discretion over the
securities held by SAB Overseas Fund, Ltd., a Cayman Islands
exempted company ("SAB Overseas"), with respect to shares of
Common Stock directly owned by SAB Overseas;
(v) SAB Capital Management, L.L.C., a Delaware limited
liability company (the "IMGP"), which serves as the general
partner to the Investment Manager, with respect to shares of
Common Stock directly owned by SAB Overseas; and
(vi) Mr. Scott A. Bommer ("Mr. Bommer"), who serves as the
managing member of the General Partner and of the IMGP,
with respect to shares of Common Stock directly owed by the
Partnerships and SAB Overseas.
The Partnerships, the General Partner, the Investment Manager, the IMGP and
Mr. Bommer are hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as the "Reporting
Persons." Any disclosures herein with respect to persons other than the
Reporting Persons are made on information and belief after making inquiry to the
appropriate party.
CUSIP No. 85254C305 13G Page 9 of 13 Pages
Item 2(b). Address of Principal Business Office or, if None, Residence:
The address of the business office of each of the Reporting Persons is
712 Fifth Avenue, 42nd Floor, New York, N.Y. 10019.
Item 2(c). Citizenship:
Each of the Partnerships, the General Partner, the Investment Manager and
the IMGP is organized under the laws of the State of Delaware. Mr. Bommer is a
citizen of the United States of America.
Item 2(d). Title of Class of Securities:
Common Stock (the "Common Stock")
Item 2(e). CUSIP Number:
85254C305
Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to Rules 13d-1(b) or 13d-2(b) or
(c), check whether the person filing is a:
(a) [ ] Broker or dealer registered under Section 15 of the
Act,
(b) [ ] Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Act,
(c) [ ] Insurance Company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of
the Act,
(d) [ ] Investment Company registered under Section 8 of the
Investment Company Act of 1940,
(e) [ ] Investment Adviser in accordance with Rule
13d-1 (b)(1)(ii)(E),
(f) [ ] Employee Benefit Plan or Endowment Fund in accordance
with 13d-1 (b)(1)(ii)(F),
(g) [ ] Parent Holding Company or control person in accordance
with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G),
(h) [ ] Savings Association as defined in Section 3(b) of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act,
(i) [ ] Church Plan that is excluded from the definition of an
investment company under Section 3(c)(14) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940,
(j) [ ] Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).
If this statement is filed pursuant to 13d-1(c), check this box: [x]
CUSIP No. 85254C305 13G Page 10 of 13 Pages
Item 4. Ownership.
A. SAB Capital Partners, L.P.
(a) Amount beneficially owned: 622,537
(b) Percent of class: 3.2%
The percentages used herein and in the
rest of this Schedule 13G are calculated based upon the
19,382,459 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding on
September 13, 2002, as reflected in the Company's Form 10-Q for
the quarterly period ended August 3, 2002.
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
(ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 622,537
(iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
(iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the
disposition: 622,537
B. SAB Capital Partners II, L.P.
(a) Amount beneficially owned: 17,255
(b) Percent of class: 0.1%
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
(ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 17,255
(iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
(iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the
disposition: 17,255
C. SAB Capital Advisors, L.L.C.
(a) Amount beneficially owned: 639,792
(b) Percent of class: 3.3%
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
(ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 639,792
(iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
(iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the
disposition: 639,792
D. SAB Overseas Capital Management, L.P.
(a) Amount beneficially owned: 620,085
(b) Percent of class: 3.2%
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
(ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 620,085
(iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
(iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the
disposition: 620,085
CUSIP No. 85254C305 13G Page 11 of 13 Pages
E. SAB Capital Management, L.L.C.
(a) Amount beneficially owned: 620,085
(b) Percent of class: 3.2%
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
(ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 620,085
(iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
(iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the
disposition: 620,085
F. Scott A. Bommer
(a) Amount beneficially owned: 1,259,877
(b) Percent of class: 6.5%
(c) Number of shares as to which such person has:
(i) Sole power to vote or direct the vote: -0-
(ii) Shared power to vote or direct the vote: 1,259,877
(iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition: -0-
(iv) Shared power to dispose or direct the
disposition: 1,259,877
Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.
If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date
hereof the Reporting Persons has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than
five percent of the class of securities, check the following [ ].
Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.
SAB Overseas, a client of the Investment Manager, has the right to receive
or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the
sale of, the securities reported in this Schedule 13G. SAB Overseas does not
hold more than five percent of the class of securities reported herein.
Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired
the Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.
Not applicable.
Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group.
Not applicable.
CUSIP No. 85254C305 13G Page 12 of 13 Pages
Item 10. Certification.
Each of the Reporting Persons hereby makes the following certification:
By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief,
the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the
purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the
issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection
with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.
SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify
that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
DATED: October 15, 2002
/S/ Scott A Bommer
-------------------------------------
Scott A Bommer,
individually and as managing member of
(a) SAB Capital Advisors, L.L.C.,
for itself and as the general partner of
(i) SAB Capital Partners, L.P. and
(ii) SAB Capital Partners II, L.P.; and
(b) SAB Capital Management, L.L.C.,
for itself and as the general partner of
SAB Overseas Capital Management, L.P.
CUSIP No. 85254C305 13G Page 13 of 13 Pages
EXHIBIT 1
JOINT ACQUISITION STATEMENT
PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1(k)
The undersigned acknowledge and agree that the foregoing statement on
Schedule 13G, is filed on behalf of each of the undersigned and that all
subsequent amendments to this statement on Schedule 13G, shall be filed on
behalf of each of the undersigned without the necessity of filing additional
joint acquisition statements. The undersigned acknowledge that each shall be
responsible for the timely filing of such amendments, and for the completeness
and accuracy of the information concerning him or it contained therein, but
shall not be responsible for the completeness and accuracy of the information
concerning the others, except to the extent that he or it knows or has reason to
believe that such information is inaccurate.
DATED: October 15, 2002
/S/ Scott A Bommer
-------------------------------------
Scott A Bommer,
individually and as managing member of
(a) SAB Capital Advisors, L.L.C.,
for itself and as the general partner of
(i) SAB Capital Partners, L.P. and
(ii) SAB Capital Partners II, L.P.; and
(b) SAB Capital Management, L.L.C.,
for itself and as the general partner of
SAB Overseas Capital Management, L.P.