Note 3 - Share-based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

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

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

3. Share-based Compensation

The following table summarizes the components of our share-based compensation program expense (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2015		2014
Restricted share units:
Pretax compensation expense	$	7,651	$	7,760
Tax benefit		2,915		2,957
Restricted share unit expense, net of tax	$	4,736	$	4,803
Performance share units:
Pretax compensation expense	$	2,478	$	2,115
Tax benefit		944		806
Performance share unit expense, net of tax	$	1,534	$	1,309
Stock options:
Pretax compensation expense	$	-	$	97
Tax benefit		-		37
Stock option expense, net of tax	$	-	$	60

As of March 31, 2015, we had $51.8 million and $14.3 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to restricted share units and performance share units, respectively, that is to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average period of approximately 3.8 years for restricted share units and 2.6 years for performance share units. During the first quarter 2015, we issued 14,209 shares for vested restricted share units and 52,200 shares as a result of stock option exercises.