Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Note 8 - Stock-based Compensation

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Note 8 - Stock-based Compensation
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements  
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]
8
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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
 
Stock Incentive Plan
 
In 2015, the board of directors (the Board) and stockholders approved the Company’s Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Award and Incentive Plan, or the Amended and Restated Plan. The Amended and Restated Plan amends the Company’s pre-existing Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Award and Incentive Plan, which had replaced the 1998 Stock Option Plan, or the 1998 Plan, and the 2000 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, or the 2000 Plan.  The Amended and Restated Plan authorized an additional 2,450,000 shares for new awards and combined the remaining shares available under the original Amended and Restated Plan.  Eligible participants under the Amended and Restated Plan include officers and other employees of the Company, members of the Board and outside consultants, as specified under the Amended and Restated Plan and designated by the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board, or the Compensation Committee.  Unless earlier terminated by action of the Board, the Amended and Restated Plan will remain in effect until such time as no stock remains available for delivery under the Amended and Restated Plan and the Company has no further rights or obligations under the Amended and Restated Plan with respect to outstanding awards thereunder. 
 
SARs are generally granted with a grant price equal to the market value of the common stock on the date of grant, vest one-third each year on the anniversary of the date of grant and expire five years from the date of grant.  The restricted shares and restricted stock units (RSU’s) granted to employees historically have had a three year cliff vesting period and are subject to accelerated vesting and forfeiture under certain circumstances. Restricted shares and restricted stock units granted to board members generally have a three year graded vesting period and are subject to accelerated vesting and forfeiture under certain circumstances.
 
In February 2016, certain employees and members of the Company’s Board were granted approximately 1.3 million RSU’s at a weighted average grant price of $0.25. These shares vest one-third each year on the anniversary of the date of grant.
 
The following table provides the weighted average assumptions used in determining the fair value of the non-market based SARs awards granted during the nine month periods ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015: 
 
 
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2016
   
2015
 
Risk-free interest rate
    -       1.02 %
Expected life (years)
    -       3.5  
Expected volatility
    -       54.47 %
Dividend yield
    -       -  
 
The Company recognized approximately $0.02 million and $0.3 million of stock-based compensation expense during each of the three month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and $0.1 million and $1.0 million during each of the nine month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
 
On October 14, 2016, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and certain employees were granted incentive stock options to purchase an aggregate of 878,744 shares of common stock with an exercise price of $0.16 per share and, subject generally to the executive’s or employee’s, as applicable, continued service with the Company, vest in equally monthly installments over a period of one year.