Stock-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company’s 2017 Stock Incentive Plan, or the 2017 Plan, permits stock-based compensation awards to officers, directors, employees, and consultants. The 2017 Plan authorized grants of stock-based compensation instruments to purchase or issue up to 4,000,000 shares of Company common stock. As of September 30, 2020, there were 1,670,705 shares available for grant under the 2017 Plan. Though frozen for new issuances, certain awards issued under the 2003 Stock Incentive Plan remain outstanding, but are due to vest no later than February 2021.

Restricted Stock

Restricted stock amortization totaled $7.1 million and $7.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, and $19.2 million and $19.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. Such amounts are included in "Compensation expense" on the condensed consolidated statements of earnings (loss). The amount of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested TRSAs and PRSUs as of September 30, 2020 totaled $50.6 million.

Time-Based Restricted Stock Awards

At September 30, 2020, there were 1,706,690 shares of unvested TRSAs outstanding pursuant to the Company's 2003 and 2017 Stock Incentive Plans. The TRSAs generally vest ratably over a service period of three to four years from the date of the grant or immediately upon death of an employee. Compensation expense related to TRSAs is based on the fair value of the underlying award on the grant date and is recognized over the vesting period using the straight-line method.

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units

At September 30, 2020, there were 315,008 units of unvested PRSUs that have been granted. The PRSUs will vest only if performance goals with respect to certain financial metrics are met over a three-year performance period. The shares underlying the PRSUs are not considered issued and outstanding until they vest. PRSUs are granted and initially expensed based on a target number. The number of shares that will ultimately vest based on actual performance will range from zero to a maximum of either 150% or 200% of target.

Compensation expense related to PRSUs is based on the fair value of the underlying award on the grant date and is amortized over the vesting period using the straight-line method unless it is determined that: (1) attainment of the financial metrics is less than probable, in which case a portion or all of the amortization is suspended, or (2) attainment of the financial metrics is improbable, in which case a portion or all of the previously recognized amortization is reversed and also suspended. If it is determined that attainment of a financial measure higher than target is probable, the amortization will increase to up to 150% or 200% of the target amortization amount. Annual PRSU expense may vary during the three-year performance period based upon changes in management's estimate of the number of shares that may ultimately vest. In the case where the performance target for the PRSU is based on a market condition (such as total shareholder return), the amortization is neither reversed nor suspended if it is subsequently determined that the attainment of the performance target is less than probable or improbable and the employee continues to meet the service requirement of the award.