8.  Stock-Based Compensation

 

The following table summarizes, by statement of operations line item, stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 (in thousands):

 

 

Stock Plans

 

2000 Equity Incentive Plan

 

In June 2000, the Company adopted the 2000 Equity Incentive Plan (“2000 Plan”). The 2000 Plan provides for a total maximum aggregate number of shares which may be issued of 1,849,000 shares. The 2000 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee designated by the Board of Directors. The Compensation Committee’s authority includes determining the number of incentive awards and vesting provisions. In August 2015, the Board of Directors adopted and the shareholders approved an amendment and restatement of the 2000 Plan. The amendment and restatement includes an increase of 450,000 shares of common stock that will be available under the 2000 Plan. As of December 31, 2015, there were 215,018 shares available for future grant under the 2000 Plan.

 

Stock Options

 

The Company issues stock options under the 2000 Plan to employees, non-employee directors and consultants that vest and become exercisable over a four-year period and expire 10 years after the grant date. The Company uses a Black-Scholes valuation model to estimate the fair value of the options at the grant date, and compensation cost is recorded on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Stock based compensation expense is based on awards that are ultimately expected to vest and accordingly, stock based compensation recognized is reduced by estimated forfeitures. Management’s estimate of forfeitures is based on historical forfeitures. All options are subject to the following vesting provisions: one-fourth vest one year after the issuance date and 1/48th vest on the first day of each full month thereafter, so that all options will be vested on the first day of the 48th month after the grant date. Information relating to stock options for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 is as follows:

 

 

Black-Scholes Model Valuation Assumptions

 

There were no stock options granted during either of the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. The Company calculated the estimated fair value of each stock option granted during the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

 

The Company’s computation of expected volatility for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was based on historical volatility. The expected life, or term, of options granted is derived from historical exercise behavior and represents the period of time that stock option awards are expected to be outstanding. Management has selected a risk-free rate based on the implied yield available on U.S. Treasury Securities with a maturity equivalent to the options’ expected term.

 

The following table provides additional information on stock options for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

 

As of December 31, 2015, there was approximately $0.9 million of total compensation cost related to unvested stock option awards that is expected to be recognized as expense over a weighted average period of 2.3 years.

 

Restricted Stock Units and Performance Restricted Stock Units

 

The Company issues restricted stock units under the 2000 Plan to employees, non-employee directors and consultants. The restricted stock units are valued based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of issuance, and compensation cost is recorded on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The related compensation expense recognized is reduced by estimated forfeitures. The Company’s estimate of forfeitures is based on historical forfeitures. The restricted stock units vest in equal installments over a period of four years. For restricted stock units with four year vesting, one-fourth vest annually beginning one year after the issuance date. The restricted stock units issued to non-employee directors vest one year after the issuance date. The following table outlines the restricted stock and performance restricted stock unit (“PRSU”) activity:

 

 

The following table provides additional information on restricted stock units for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

 

As of December 31, 2015, there was approximately $1.3 million of total compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock units that is expected to be recognized as expense over a weighted average period of 3.0 years.

 

PRSU activity is included in the above restricted stock units tables. The PRSU Program has a three-year performance measurement period. The performance measurement period will begin on April 1 of the first fiscal year and end on March 31 of the third fiscal year. The program is intended to have overlapping performance measurement periods (e.g., a new three year cycle begins each year on April 1), subject to Compensation Committee approval. The Chief Executive Officer is the only participant for Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2015. At the end of each performance measurement period, the Compensation Committee will determine the achievement against the performance objectives. Any earned PRSU awards will vest 50% after the end of the applicable performance measurement period and 50% one year thereafter.

 

During the first quarter of each of Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2015, the Company granted a total of 10,000 PRSUs to the Chief Executive Officer. The weighted average per share grant date fair value of PRSUs granted during the first quarter of Fiscal 2016 and 2015 was $15.50 and $31.20, respectively. Based on the Company’s assessment as of March 31, 2015, the PRSU threshold for the first performance measurement of the PRSUs granted in Fiscal 2015 likely will not be met and, as a result, the Chief Executive Officer PRSU awards were adjusted and no compensation expense was recorded or recognized during Fiscal 2015. Any compensation expense will be recognized over the corresponding requisite service period and will be adjusted in subsequent reporting periods if the Company’s assessment of the probable level of achievement of the performance goals changes. The Company will continue to periodically assess the likelihood of the PRSU threshold being met until the end of the applicable performance period.

 

Restricted Stock Awards

 

The Company issues restricted stock awards under the 2000 Plan to employees and non-employee directors. During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 the Company granted stock awards in lieu of cash to employees for variable compensation. During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 the Company granted stock awards to non-employee directors  who elected to take payment of all or any part of the directors’ fees in stock in lieu of cash. The following table outlines the restricted stock awards activity for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

 

For each term of the Board of Directors (beginning on the date of an annual meeting of stockholders and ending on the date immediately preceding the next annual meeting of stockholders), a non-employee director may elect to receive a stock award in lieu of all or any portion of their annual retainer or committee fee cash payment. The shares of stock were valued based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.

 

Grants outside of 2000 Plan

 

As of December 31, 2015, the Company had outstanding 155,000 non-qualified common stock options and 2,343 restricted stock units issued outside of the 2000 Plan. The Company granted 12,500 of these stock options during Fiscal 2015, 142,500 of these stock options prior to Fiscal 2015 and 2,343 of these restricted stock units during Fiscal 2015 as inducement grants to new officers and employees of the Company, with exercise prices equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the grant date.

 

 

Although the options and restricted stock units were not granted under the 2000 Plan, they are governed by terms and conditions identical to those under the 2000 Plan. All options are subject to the following vesting provisions: one-fourth vest one year after the issuance date and 1/48th vest on the first day of each full month thereafter, so that all options will be vested on the first day of the 48th month after the grant date. All outstanding options have a contractual term of ten years. The restricted stock units vest in equal installments over a period of four years.

 

Stockholder Rights Plan

 

The Company has entered into a rights agreement (as amended, the “Rights Agreement”) with Computershare Inc., successor-in-interest to Mellon Investor Services LLC, as rights agent. In connection with the Rights Agreement, the Company’s board of directors authorized and declared a dividend distribution of one preferred stock purchase right for each share of the Company’s common stock authorized and outstanding. Each right entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company a unit consisting of one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share, at a purchase price of $10.00 per unit, subject to adjustment. The description and terms of the rights are set forth in the Rights Agreement. Initially, the rights are attached to all common stock certificates representing shares then outstanding, and no separate rights certificates are distributed. Subject to certain exceptions specified in the Rights Agreement, the rights will separate from the common stock and will be exercisable upon the earlier of (i) 10 days following a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock, other than as a result of repurchases of stock by the Company or certain inadvertent actions by institutional or certain other stockholders, or (ii) 10 days (or such later date as the Company’s Board of Directors shall determine) following the commencement of a tender offer or exchange offer (other than certain permitted offers described in the Rights Agreement) that would result in a person or group beneficially owning 20% or more of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock.

 

On July 1, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors unanimously approved a third amendment to the Rights Agreement pursuant to a “sunset provision,” which was approved by the stockholders at the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders. The third amendment amends the Rights Agreement to provide that the rights will expire on the 30th day after the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders unless continuation of the Rights Agreement is approved by the stockholders at that meeting. On August 5, 2014, the Company entered into a fourth amendment to the Rights Agreement. The fourth amendment amends the Rights Agreement to clarify that the term of the Rights Agreement may not be continued or extended unless and until such amendment has received the approval of the stockholders of the Company at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders held prior to the termination of the Rights Agreement without taking into account such amendment.

 

The Rights Agreement is intended to protect the Company’s stockholders in the event of an unfair or coercive offer to acquire the Company. Management believes the Rights Agreement, however, should not affect any prospective offeror willing to make an offer at a fair price and otherwise in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, as determined by the Board of Directors. Also, management believes the Rights Agreement should not interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by the Board of Directors.