Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Stock-Based Compensation

v3.24.1
Stock-Based Compensation
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]  
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Q. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION:

 

In November 2021, the Board of Directors adopted the Amended and Restated 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”) which provides for the granting of non-qualified stock options and restricted stock to the Company’s employees, officers, directors, and outside consultants to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock. The number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2021 Plan is 1,041,147 shares of common stock.

 

Stock-based compensation expense included the following components as of December 31,:

 

    2023     2022  
Stock Options   $ 150,556     $ 164,576  
Restricted Stock     49,356       170,100  
    $ 199,913     $ 334,676  

 

All stock-based compensation expense is recorded in General and Administrative expense in the Statement of Earnings.

 

Non-Qualified Stock Options

 

The fair value of options is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the assumptions noted in the table below. The fair value is amortized as compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards, which is generally the vesting period. The Company uses historical data on employee turnover and terminations to estimate the percentage of options that will ultimately be exercised. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility from a representative sample of publicly traded companies. The expected term represents the period of time that the options are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free interest rate is estimated using the rate of return on U.S. Treasury Notes with a life that approximates the expected life of the option. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual results differ from the estimates. Stock-based compensation is based on awards that are ultimately expected to vest.

 

Option awards are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the Company’s stock at the date of grant; those options generally vest based on four years of continuous service and have 10-years contractual terms.

 

The Black-Scholes option pricing model assumptions are as follows:

 

Risk-Free Interest Rate     3.86%  
Expected Term     5.5-6.25 years  
Expected Volatility     29.24%  
Expected Dividends     0%  

 

A summary of option activity under the 2021 Plan as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and changes during the years then ended is presented below:

 

 

Options

 

Shares

   

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

   

 

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value

 
Outstanding at January 1, 2022     1,587,000     $ 4.15     $ 3,045,700  
Granted     68,000     $ 1.80      
-
 
Forfeited or Expired and Other Adjustments     (97,000 )   $ 4.11      
-
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2022     1,558,000     $ 4.15     $
-
 
Exercisable at December 31, 2022     453,918     $ 4.16     $
-
 
                         
Outstanding at January 1, 2023     1,558,000     $ 4.15          
Granted     109,500     $ 1.54      
-
 
Forfeited or Expired and Other Adjustments     (45,000 )   $ 3.11      
-
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2023     1,622,500     $ 3.96     $
-
 
Exercisable at December 31, 2023     859,396     $ 4.09     $
-
 

 

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $1.54 and $1.80, respectively. The weighted-average remaining contractual term for the outstanding options is approximately 8 years and 9 years as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 

Restricted Stock:

 

Restricted stock consists of time-based restricted stock units (RSUs) and performance-based restricted stock units (PSUs). RSUs granted under the 2021 Plan generally vest over 3 to 4 years, based on continued employment, and are settled upon vesting shares of the Company’s common stock on a one-for-one basis. PSUs granted under the 2021 Plan are issued and vest immediately as various performance goals and targets are achieved.

 

A summary of restricted stock activity under the 2021 Plan as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and changes during the years then ended is presented below:

 

Restricted Stock    Time-Based  
Outstanding at January 1, 2022     154,960  
Granted     145,660  
Vested     (227,737 )
Forfeited     (8,717 )
Outstanding at December 31, 2022     64,166  
         
Outstanding at January 1, 2023     64,166  
Granted     32,252  
Vested     (33,333 )
Forfeited     (10,897 )
Outstanding at December 1, 2023     52,188