Share-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 25, 2016

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Under CSX's share-based compensation plans, awards consist of performance grants, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock options for management and stock grants for directors. Awards granted under the various programs are determined and approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors or, in certain circumstances, by the Chief Executive Officer for awards to management employees other than senior executives. The Board of Directors approves awards granted to the Company's non-management directors upon recommendation of the Governance Committee.

NOTE 3. Share-Based Compensation, continued

On February 10, 2016, the Company granted performance units, restricted stock units and stock options as part of the Company's long-term share-based compensation plans.

Long-term Incentive Plan

Approximately 839 thousand performance units were granted to certain employees under a new long-term incentive plan ("2016-2018 LTIP"). The 2016-2018 LTIP was adopted under the CSX Stock and Incentive Award Plan. Payouts of performance units for the cycle ending with fiscal year 2018 will be based on the achievement of goals related to both operating ratio and return on assets in each case excluding non-recurring items as disclosed in the Company's financial statements. The cumulative operating ratio and average return on assets over the plan period will each comprise 50% of the payout and will be measured independently of the other.

Grants were made in performance units, with each unit representing the right to receive one share of CSX common stock, and payouts will be made in CSX common stock. The payout range for participants will be between 0% and 200% of the target awards depending on Company performance against predetermined goals. Payouts for certain executive officers are subject to downward adjustment by up to 30% based upon total shareholder return relative to specified comparable groups.

Restricted Stock Units

The Company granted approximately 419 thousand restricted stock units. The restricted stock units vest three years after the date of grant. Participants receive cash dividend equivalents on the unvested shares during the restriction period. These awards are time-based and are not based upon attainment of performance goals.

Stock Options

The Company granted approximately 2.4 million stock options. The fair value of stock options on the date of grant was $4.68 which was estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Stock options have been granted with ten-year terms and vest three years after the date of grant. The exercise price for stock options granted equals the closing market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant. These awards are time-based and are not based upon attainment of performance goals.

Performance units, restricted stock units and stock options all require participants to be employed through the final day of the respective performance or vesting period as applicable, except in the case of death, disability or retirement. For information related to the Company's other outstanding long-term incentive compensation, see CSX's most recent annual report on Form 10-K.

Total pre-tax expense associated with all share-based compensation and the related income tax benefit are as follows:



	First Quarters
(Dollars in millions)	2016		2015

Share-Based Compensation Expense	$	8	$	8
Income Tax Benefit	3		3