Note 3 - Stock-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

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

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

Note 3:  Stock-based Compensation

On September 5, 2012, the Board of Directors adopted The L.S. Starrett Company 2012 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2012 Stock Plan”). The 2012 stock plan was approved by shareholders October 17, 2012. The 2012 Stock Plan permits the granting of the following types of awards to officers, other employees and non-employee directors: stock options; restricted stock awards; unrestricted stock awards; stock appreciation rights; stock units including restricted stock units; performance awards; cash-based awards; and awards other than previously described that are convertible or otherwise based on stock. The 2012 Stock Plan provides for the issuance of up to 500,000 shares of common stock.

Options granted vest in periods ranging from one year to three years and expire ten years after the grant date. Restricted stock units (“RSU”) granted generally vest from one year to three years. Vested restricted stock units will be settled in shares of common stock. As of March 31, 2014, there were 20,500 stock options and 8,200 restricted stock units outstanding. In addition, there were 471,300 shares available for grant under the 2012 Stock Plan as of March 31, 2014.

For the stock option grant the fair value of each grant was estimated at the date of grant using the Binomial Options pricing model. The Binomial Options pricing model utilizes assumptions related to stock volatility, the risk-free interest rate, the dividend yield and employee exercise behavior. Expected volatilities utilized in the model are based on the historic volatility of the Company’s stock price. The risk free interest rate is derived from the U.S. Treasury Yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. The expected life is determined using the average of the vesting period and contractual term of the options (Short-cut method).

The fair value of stock options issued during the 9 months ended March 31, 2013 of $3.82 was estimated using the following assumptions:

Risk-free interest rate	1.0	%
Expected life (years)	6.0
Expected stock volatility	52.3	%
Expected dividend yield	4.0	%

The weighted average contractual term for stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2014 was 8.75 years.  The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding as of March 31, 2014 was $0.1 million. One third of the stock options were exercisable as of March 31, 2014.

The Company accounts for RSU awards by recognizing the expense of the fair value ratably over vesting periods generally ranging from one year to three years. The related expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses. 

There were 2,733 RSU awards vested and issued during the nine months ended March 31, 2014. The aggregate intrinsic value of RSU awards outstanding as of March 31, 2014 was $0.1 million. One third of the RSU awards had vested as of March 31, 2014.

On February 5, 2013, the Board of Directors adopted The L.S. Starrett Company 2013 Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “2013 ESOP”). The purpose of the plan is to supplement existing Company programs through an employer funded individual account plan dedicated to investment in common stock of the Company, thereby encouraging increased ownership of the Company while providing an additional source of retirement income.  The plan is intended as an employee stock ownership plan within the meaning of Section 4975 (e) (7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. U.S. employees who have completed a year of service as of December 31, 2012 were eligible to participate.

On June 5, 2013, the Board of Directors approved a contribution to the 2013 ESOP for fiscal 2013 in the amount of two percent of each participant’s compensation (as defined in the Plan). Compensation expense related to the 2013 ESOP of $0.8 million was recognized in the year ended June 30, 2013. The $0.8 million liability was included in other non-current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet on June 30, 2013. Shares of Class B common stock were contributed to the 2013 ESOP on July 30, 2013 in order to fund this liability.

Compensation expense related to all stock based plans for the nine month period ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013 was $0.1 million and $0.1 million respectively.  As of March 31, 2014, there was $0.1 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to outstanding stock-based compensation arrangements. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.7 years.