Stock-Based Compensation

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Stock-Based Compensation

Note 5. Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation granted under the Company’s stock plans is expensed in tranches over the vesting period. Options and non-performance based grants generally vest equally over a three or four year period and the options have a maximum term of ten years. Certain non-performance based grants vest over five years with one-third vesting in each of the third, fourth and fifth years. The Company’s performance based share grants generally consist of two types of awards. The restricted stock units issued in 2011 and after will cliff vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant, with 50% vesting in full, and 50% dependent on the rate of compound annual growth in book value per share for the three years immediately prior to the vesting date, with actual shares that vest ranging between 150% to 0% of that portion of the original award. Those performance based restricted stock units issued prior to 2011 generally vest over five years with one-third vesting in each of the third, fourth and fifth years, dependent on the rolling three-year average return on equity based on the three years prior to the year in which the vesting occurs, with actual shares that vest ranging between 150% to 0% of the original award.

The amounts charged to expense for stock-based compensation for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 are presented in the following table:

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
In thousands	2013		2012		2013		2012
Restricted stock units	$	2,116	$	1,974	$	3,474	$	3,186
Directors restricted stock grants(1)		106		60		206		120
Employee stock purchase plan		38		41		47		15
Total stock based compensation	$	2,260	$	2,075	$	3,727	$	3,321

(1)  -  Relates to non-employee directors serving on the Parent Company’s Board of Directors, all of whom have been elected by     the Company’s stockholders, as well as non-employee directors serving on NUAL’s Board of Directors.