NOTE 6 — STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

For the nine months ended October 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded $21.2 million and $11.0 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense.

At October 31, 2017, the Company had awards outstanding from two equity-based compensation plans, only one of which is currently active. The active plan was initially approved by the Company’s shareholders in June 2009 and includes 4.0 million shares available for grant of which approximately 1.7 million shares remain available for future grant at October 31, 2017. Under the active plan, the Company is authorized to award officers, employees, and non-employee members of the Board of Directors restricted stock, options to purchase common stock, maximum value stock-settled stock appreciation rights, maximum value options, and performance awards that are dependent upon achievement of specified performance goals. Equity-based compensation awards have a maximum term of 10 years, unless a shorter period is specified by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors ("Compensation Committee") or is required under local law. Awards under the plans are priced as determined by the Compensation Committee, and under the terms of the Company’s active equity-based compensation plan, are required to be priced at, or above, the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Awards generally vest between one and three years from the date of grant. The Company’s policy is to utilize shares of its treasury stock, to the extent available, to satisfy its obligation to issue shares upon the exercise of awards.

Restricted stock units

A summary of the Company’s restricted stock activity for the nine months ended October 31, 2017 is as follows:



	Shares
Nonvested at January 31, 2017	487,596
Granted	451,463
Vested	(190,364	)
Canceled	(32,427	)
Nonvested at October 31, 2017	716,268

Performance based restricted stock units

The Company's performance based restricted stock unit awards are subject to vesting conditions, including meeting specified cumulative performance objectives over a period of three years. Each performance based award recipient could vest in 0% to 150% of the target shares granted contingent on the achievement of the Company's financial performance metrics. A summary of the Company’s performance based restricted stock activity, assuming maximum achievement, for the nine months ended October 31, 2017 is as follows:



	Shares
Nonvested at January 31, 2017	17,486
Granted	159,102
Canceled	(3,495	)
Nonvested at October 31, 2017	173,093