Common Stock Incentive Plan

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Common Stock Incentive Plan

Common Stock Incentive Plan

17.Common Stock Incentive Plan

In 2012, our Board of Directors adopted and stockholders approved the Realty Income Corporation 2012 Incentive Award Plan, or the 2012 Plan, to enable us to motivate, attract and retain the services of directors and employees considered essential to our long-term success. The 2012 Plan offers our directors and employees an opportunity to own our stock or rights that will reflect our growth, development and financial success. Under the terms of the 2012 plan, the aggregate number of shares of our common stock subject to options, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units and other awards, will be no more than 3,985,734 shares. The 2012 Plan has a term of ten years from the date it was adopted by our Board of Directors.

The amount of share-based compensation costs recognized in general and administrative expense on our consolidated statements of income was $2.6 million during the first three months of 2016 and 2015.

A.   Restricted Stock

During the first three months of 2016, we granted 141,139 shares of common stock under the 2012 Plan. These shares generally vest over a five-year service period.

As of March 31, 2016, the remaining unamortized share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock totaled $19.5 million, which is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the service period of each applicable award. The amount of share-based compensation is based on the fair value of the stock at the grant date. We define the grant date as the date the recipient and Realty Income have a mutual understanding of the key terms and condition of the award, and the recipient of the grant begins to benefit from, or be adversely affected by, subsequent changes in the price of the shares.

B.    Performance Shares and Restricted Stock Units

During the first three months of 2016, we granted 58,569 performance shares, as well as dividend equivalent rights, to our executive officers. The performance shares are earned based on our TSR performance relative to select industry indices as well as achievement of certain operating metrics, and vest 50% on the first and second January 1 after the end of the three year performance period, subject to continued service.

During the first three months of 2016, we also granted 11,098 restricted stock units that vest over a five year service period and have the same economic rights as shares of restricted stock.

As of March 31, 2016, the remaining share-based compensation expense related to the performance shares and restricted stock units totaled $6.2 million.  The fair value of the performance share was estimated on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo Simulation model. The performance shares are being recognized on a tranche-by-tranche basis over the service period. The amount of share-based compensation for the restricted stock units is based on the fair value of our common stock at the grant date. The restricted stock units are being recognized on a straight-line basis over the service period.