Capital Stock

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Capital Stock [Abstract]

Capital Stock

4. CAPITAL STOCK

Common Stock

The Company issued 4,668 and 20,001 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and received proceeds of $9 and $128, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, employees surrendered to the Company 39,274 and 22,581 shares of common stock, respectively, valued at $446 and $336, respectively, in satisfaction of minimum tax withholding obligations associated with the vesting of equity awards. Also, in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company issued no shares and 2,972 shares of common stock, respectively, as compensation to board members and spokespersons pursuant to their respective contracts. Costs recognized for these stock grants issued were $224 and $155 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. As of March 31, 2012, 58,594 shares of common stock issued to spokespersons remain unvested. Additional expense for these shares will be recognized upon vesting. During both the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company paid a dividend of $0.175 per share to all stockholders of record.

In 2011, the Company and its Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program of up to $150,000 of the Company's outstanding shares of common stock in open-market transactions on the NASDAQ National Market or through privately negotiated transactions, including block transactions. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, limitations under the Credit Facility, alternative investment opportunities and other market conditions. This stock repurchase program has an expiration date of June 30, 2013 but may be limited or terminated at any time by the Board of Directors without prior notice. No shares of common stock were repurchased during the three months ended March 31, 2012 or 2011.

Preferred Stock

The Company has authorized 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock issuable in one or more series upon resolution of the Board of Directors. Unless otherwise required by law, the Board of Directors may, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock in the future with voting and conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power of the common stock. The issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of delaying, averting or preventing a change in control of the Company.