Stock-Based Compensation

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Stock-Based Compensation

8. Stock-Based Compensation

In previous periods, the Company awarded stock options under its shareholder approved 1995 Stock Option Plan (“1995 Plan”) and 1998 Long-term Incentive Plan (“1998 Plan”). No further options may be awarded under either the 1995 Plan or the 1998 Plan. Option exercise price is not less than fair market value on date of grant and options are exercisable no later than ten years from date of grant. All options awarded under both plans are fully vested as of March 31, 2013.

At March 31, 2013 and 2012, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to the stock options granted under the Company’s stock option plans. There was no compensation expense related to stock options recognized in the six months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012. There is one outstanding and exercisable option as of March 31, 2013, which is fully vested, has a weighted average remaining term of 2.2 years, and an intrinsic value of $15.

The Company has awarded performance and restricted shares under its shareholder approved 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2007 Plan”). The aggregate number of shares that may be awarded under the 2007 Plan is 600 less any shares previously awarded and subject to an adjustment for the forfeiture of any unissued shares. In addition, shares that may be awarded are subject to individual recipient award limitations. The shares awarded under the 2007 Plan may be made in multiple forms including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted or unrestricted stock, and performance related shares. Any such awards are exercisable no later than ten years from date of grant.

The performance shares that have been awarded under the 2007 Plan generally provide for the issuance of the Company’s common shares upon the Company achieving certain defined financial performance objectives during a period up to three years following the making of such award. The ultimate number of common shares of the Company that may be earned pursuant to an award ranges from a minimum of no shares to a maximum of 150% of the initial target number of performance shares awarded, depending on the level of the Company’s achievement of its financial performance objectives.

With respect to such performance shares, compensation expense is being accrued at (i) 100% of the target levels for recipients of the performance shares awarded during fiscal 2013, and (ii) 50% of the target levels for recipients of the performance shares awarded during fiscal 2012 and 2011. During each future reporting period, such expense may be subject to adjustment based upon the Company’s subsequent estimate of the number of common shares that it expects to issue upon the completion of the performance period. The performance shares were valued at the closing market price of the Company’s common shares on the date of grant. The vesting of such shares is determined at the end of the performance period.

The Company has awarded restricted shares to certain of its directors. The restricted shares were valued at the closing market price of the Company’s common shares on the date of grant, and such value was recorded as unearned compensation. The unearned compensation is being amortized ratably over the restricted stock vesting period of one (1) to three (3) years.

If all outstanding share awards are ultimately earned and issued at the target number of shares, then at March 31, 2013 there are approximately 349 shares that remain available for award. If any of the outstanding share awards are ultimately earned and issued at greater than the target number of shares, up to a maximum of 150% of such target, then a fewer number of shares would be available for award.

Stock-based compensation under the 2007 Plan was $367 and $567 during the first six months of fiscal 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of March 31, 2013, there was $1,241 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the performance and restricted shares awarded under the 2007 Plan. The Company expects to recognize this cost over the next 2.5 years.

The following is a summary of activity related to the target number of shares awarded and the actual number of shares earned under the 2007 Plan:

	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Fair Value at Date of Grant
Outstanding at September 30, 2012		158		$	18.30
Restricted shares awarded (2013 award)		12			15.50
Restricted shares earned (2012 award)		(5	)		22.00
Performance shares awarded (2013 award)		60			15.98
Performance shares earned (2010 award)		(33	)		16.05
Awards forfeited (various awards)		(31	)		17.01
Outstanding at March 31, 2013		161		$	17.81