scholarly journals Employee Stock Options And Diluted Earnings Per Share

Author(s):  
David T. Doran

At the time of this writing, SFAS No.123 (1995) prescribes GAAP in accounting for employee stock options.  It allows firms to choose either the intrinsic or fair value method in determining the amount of compensation expense recognized for employee stock options.  The choice of method affects the numerator of the earnings per share (EPS) calculation.   The FASB recently issued a revised SFAS No. 123 (2004) which will require uniform application of the fair value method.  GAAP also requires that the denominator for the diluted EPS calculation be increased for incremental shares under the treasury stock method.  SFAS 128 requires the treasury stock method be applied where the proceeds from the assumed exercise of options are used to acquire shares of the firm’s outstanding stock at the average market price for the period.  Previous to SFAS No. 128, APB Opinion No. 15 required that the higher of average or period ending stock price be used in determining the number of shares reacquired with the proceeds from the assumed exercise of stock options.  This paper develops a simple one period model that assumes a risk free environment with complete certainty conditions in testing the accuracy of EPS calculated under GAAP using the fair value method vs. the intrinsic value method.   The results indicate that EPS reported under the intrinsic value method are overstated, and further indicate that a combination of both the fair value method and the treasury stock method is needed in calculating diluted EPS.  This fair value and treasury stock method combination is shown to not “double count” the stock option’s impact upon EPS.  The results also indicate a slight misstatement of diluted EPS under the fair value method when applying the treasury stock method requirements of SFAS No. 128.  Correct EPS results when shares are assumed reacquired for the treasury at the higher year ending price, consistent with superseded APB 15.  However, the diluted EPS misstatement is so slight that the FASB’s rationale for always requiring the use of average period price seems likely to be justified.  The findings of this research support the requirements of SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004) and SFAS No. 128.

Author(s):  
David T. Doran

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Firms must currently apply the fair value method in determining the amount of employee compensation incurred in the case of employee stock options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Current GAAP also requires that for purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share (EPS), the treasury stock method be applied where the assumed proceeds from exercise of the optioned shares is used to purchase shares of the firm&rsquo;s stock at its average market price of the earnings period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>These incremental shares increase the denominator for purposes of calculating diluted EPS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>These requirements are consistent across the pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This study extends the work of Doran (2005) and Doran (2008).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>These previous studies found that applying the treasury stock method where shares are assumed purchased at the average for the period price (instead of end of year price) understates the number of incremental shares (the denominator), which overstates diluted EPS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>However, these previous works assumed that no shares were actually purchased for the treasury during the earnings period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The FASB indicates one reason that the average for the period price is appropriate is because if treasury shares purchases were to occur, &ldquo;the shares would be purchased at various prices, not at the price at the end of the period.&rdquo;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This study tests the notion that the average for the period price is appropriate under circumstances where the firm actually purchases shares for the treasury at its average market price during the earnings period.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>This paper employs a simple one period model that assumes a risk free environment with complete certainty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>The model allows comparison of computed EPS with an a priori known, correct amount.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span>Consistent with Doran (2005) and Doran (2008), the results here again indicate that assuming purchase of treasury shares at their average market price of the earnings period understates the EPS denominator which results in EPS overstatement. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp;</span>Correct diluted EPS is derived when the shares assumed purchased under the treasury stock method are acquired at the higher period ending market price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>


2013 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 1657
Author(s):  
David T. Doran

Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) require firms to recognize compensation expense under the fair value method in the case of employee stock options. Straight line amortization of the options grant date fair value must be recognized as expense over the service period which decreases the earnings per share numerator. For diluted earnings per share (EPS), GAAP requires using the treasury stock method, where proceeds from assumed stock option exercise is used to purchase treasury shares at the average for the period price. Exercise proceeds include the exercise price plus unrecognized future employee compensation. For profitable firms, exercise is assumed if dilutive - more shares are assumed issued than are reacquired for the treasury which increases the diluted EPS denominator. These requirements are consistent across US GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. This paper tests whether including unrecognized employee compensation in proceeds from the assumed exercise of employee stock options under the treasury stock method is appropriate. A simple multi period model that assumes a risk free environment with complete certainty is applied. This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating that future unrecognized employee compensation should not be included in proceeds from the assumed exercise of stock options under the treasury stock method. Doing so consistently causes diluted EPS overstatement, and in certain instances causes assumed exercise of in the money options to be antidilutive, which results in complete exclusion from the diluted EPS calculation. This research extends the employee stock option work of Doran (2005 and 2008) that found: 1) Compensation expense recognized over the employee service period should equal the periodic annuity amount that provides the options grant date fair value, and 2) Treasury shares should be assumed purchased at the higher end of period stock price.


Author(s):  
David T. Doran

Firms must currently apply the fair value method in determining the amount of employee compensation incurred in the case of employee stock options. The amount of such compensation is required to be measured as fair value of the equity instrument at the grant date, with compensation expense recognized over the service period under the straight-line method. This compensation expense affects the numerator for purposes of calculating earnings per share (EPS) under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Current GAAP also requires that for purposes of calculating diluted EPS, the treasury stock method be applied where the assumed proceeds from exercise of the optioned shares is used to purchase shares of the firms stock at its average market price of the earnings period. These incremental shares increase the denominator for purposes of calculating diluted EPS. These requirements are consistent across the pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). This study extends the work of Doran (2005) where a single period model was assumed and found: 1. Application of the fair value method does not double count the impact of compensation recognized, and 2. Applying the treasury stock method where shares are assumed purchased at the average for the period price (instead of end of year price) understates the number of incremental shares (the denominator), which overstates diluted EPS. This paper employs a simple multi period model that assumes a risk free environment with complete certainty in testing the accuracy of GAAP compliant diluted EPS in the case of employee stock options. Consistent with Doran (2005) the results here again indicate that assuming purchase of treasury shares at their average market price of the earnings period understates the EPS denominator. The results of this study also indicate that the reported employee compensation expense is understated. The observed cause of this numerator error is treating the payment for the option (employee service) as if it was received in full at the grant date - as a lump sum (like inventory or some other asset), rather than being received ratably over the employee service period as an annuity. Each of these findings contributes to the observed overstatement of diluted EPS. Correct diluted EPS is observed when the employee service is treated as being received ratably over the service period, and the shares assumed purchased as treasury stock are acquired at the higher period ending market price. The amount of diluted EPS overstatement under both FASB and IASB standards is directly related to the length of the term of the option.


2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 439
Author(s):  
Thomas Smith ◽  
Adrian Valencia ◽  
Ara Volkan

<p>Currently, the grant date fair value of employee stock options is expensed over the vesting period. Our study introduces a new valuation approach for stock options and examines the impact of this change on earning per share (EPS) for a sample of firms over the period 2002-2011. The new valuation approach provides data useful to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) as it determines whether to revise the current option accounting rules. Under the proposed approach, options are valued at their intrinsic value on the grant date (i.e., the opportunity cost or the economic promise associated with the difference between the exercise price of the option and the market price of the stock at each measurement date) and further revalued each reporting date until the options are exercised.</p>


2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 223-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph D. Beams ◽  
Anthony J. Amoruso ◽  
Frederick M. Richardson

The revision of SFAS No. 123 (SFAS No. 123R, FASB 2004) requires companies to recognize the fair value of employee stock options. In addition, nonpublic companies will no longer be permitted to assume stock price volatility of zero when calculating the fair value of their stock options. This study finds that the zero volatility assumption allowed under the original version of SFAS No. 123 (FASB 1995) resulted in an average estimated fair value of options that was $1.06 (40 percent) less than the fair value calculated using a peer group volatility estimate for firms undergoing an initial public offering (IPO). However, IPO firms that estimated their volatility underreported option values by an even larger magnitude than the group using the zero volatility assumption. Perhaps these firms reported a downward-biased estimate of volatility to inhibit analysts from computing option values using more reasonable volatility estimates. Contrary to the findings for public companies, we find that a large percentage of sample firms issued in-the-money options prior to going public. Following the IPO, only a small portion of firms issued in-the-money options. The concerns regarding recognizing option expense may be less important than the benefits of granting in-the-money options for IPO firms.


2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 174-185
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Majewska

Abstract Employee stock options (ESOs) are an instrument in compensating top management of corporations. In the literature, they are described as a variable component of remuneration of a long-term character (Borkowska, 2012). There are six characteristic elements of the ESO: a grant date, the ESO plan duration, employees entitled to receive options, vesting criteria, a vesting period, and an exercise price. The article refers to the exercise price. The remuneration of employees is determined by the option’s intrinsic value, i.e. the difference between the current stock price and the exercise price. This difference affects the costs incurred by a company in relation with their incentive stock option plan. In this connection, the exercise price of stock options needs to be analysed. The literature shows that usually the strike price is equal to the stock market’s value at the time the option is granted. The options issued with an exercise price equal to the market value of the company’s stock on the date of the grant usually lead to at-the-money options. Walker (2009) mentions that almost all options issued by US firms have been such type of options. Hence, the options with exercise prices less than the prices of the underlying assets have been rarely observed. One of the solutions can be discounting the exercise price by using sectoral indexes, which are sensitive to changes on a particular market. The purpose of this paper is to address several aspects of specifying the exercise price in ESOs. The research shows how sector indexes can be used to discount it. Using sectoral indexes in determining the exercise price can partly limit the unreasonably high profits from the ESO. The literature does not provide ready-made formulas of exercise prices based on specific variables. The aim of the research is to present and apply the formula of the exercise prices in which sectoral indices are used to discount. The data are from the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE) and include those companies that revealed the information concerning their incentive programs in 1999–2013. The relevant data come from annual reports, current reports, supervisory boards’ resolutions, and press announcements.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheane Sheane

An investor could invest by buying companies’ stocks. Therefore, it is crucial for investors to know the fair value of shares of a company to anticipate the risks and benefits. The fair value of shares reflects the value of that company. This research is aimed to assess the fair value of shares of PT. Ciputra Development Tbk, whether its value is above or below the market price. This research was conducted using secondary data, which are the company’s prospects, yearly report, and other official publication. Quantitative analysis was chosen to process and analyse the data collected. Method used in this valuation is the Discounted Cash Flow method with Free Cash Flow to Firm model and Relative Valuation with Price Earnings Ratio model. The result of the valuation would be useful to be used as the basis for decision making on investing, whether to buy, hold or sell the stock. Based on the calculated stock value, it was obtained that the fair value of shares of PT. Ciputra Development Tbk, using discounted free cash flow to firm method, is Rp 1.092,- which means the stock price of PT. Ciptura Development Tbk is over the market price or overvalued in comparison to its intrinsic value. On the other hand, using price earning ratio as the chosen method shows that the fair value of shares is Rp. 1.262,4 per stock which means the price of PT. Ciputra Development Tbk stock is under the market price or undervalued towards its intrinsic value.


2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (03) ◽  
pp. 449-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruhaya Atan ◽  
Nur Syuhada Jasni ◽  
Yousef Shahwan

In the wake of corporate scandals and excessive stock options compensation, International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) has introduced a new accounting standard, IIFRS 2 Share-based Payments. The scope of the standard extends beyond payments to employees, but for the purpose of this study, the focus is only on 'employee stock options'. IIFRS 2 requires a fair value of stock options records calculated on grant date, and recognized as compensation expenses over vesting periods. Prior to the introduction of IIFRS 2, stock options were not recognized and were only disclosed in the notes to the accounts. In Malaysia, the standard is mandatory for all companies listed on or after January 1, 2006. This study assumes the requirement existed in 2003. This study examines the impact of stock options expenses from 2003 to 2005, on the top 100 Malaysian companies. The three year observations show at least 24% of the sample exceeds the 5% materiality threshold on diluted EPS. The sectors that are impacted the most are the Trade/Service and Finance sectors. From the multiple-regression test, this study finds that fair value of stock options have a negative relationship with dividend yields (input of the Black-Scholes Merton (BSM) Model). Most companies in the sample are found to pay dividends and grant stock options at the same time. Therefore, this study suggests that companies need to restructure their compensation plan thus balancing the stock options granted and dividends paid in the future.


2008 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 1273-1314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yen-Jung Lee

ABSTRACT: This paper examines whether outstanding employee stock options (ESOs), which represent the firm’s contractual obligation to deliver shares upon ESO exercise, affect firms’ credit ratings. I hypothesize that outstanding ESOs play two information roles—(1) suggesting equity infusion, and (2) predicting share repurchases—that help credit-rating agencies evaluate the issuing company’s debt service ability. Consistent with these hypothesized roles, results indicate that the present values of expected cash proceeds and tax benefits from ESO exercise have favorable effects on credit ratings. In contrast, the present value of the expected cost of ESO-related share repurchases has an unfavorable effect on credit ratings and this unfavorable effect is more pronounced for firms with a greater tendency to repurchase shares. The after-tax fair value of outstanding ESOs, which summarizes the effects of the above three ESO-related cash flows, is negatively associated with credit ratings. Taken together, these findings are consistent with credit-rating agencies incorporating the information conveyed by outstanding ESOs regarding potential equity infusion and ESO-related repurchases in their credit risk assessments and assigning lower credit ratings to firms with greater values of outstanding ESOs.


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