Note 3 - Stock-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 2014, there were 20,500 stock options and 44,967 restricted stock units outstanding. In addition, there were 431,800 shares available for grant under the 2012 Stock Plan as of September 30, 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 3 months ended September 30, 2014 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 September 30, 2014 was 8.25 years.  The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2014 was $0.1 million. Stock options exercisable as of September 30, 2014 were 6,833.

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 39,500 RSU awards issued during the three months ended September 30, 2014. No RSUs vested during the three months ended September 30, 2014. The aggregate intrinsic value of RSU awards outstanding as of September 30, 2014 was $0.8 million. RSU awards granted and vested as of September 30, 2014 were 2,733.

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.

Compensation expense related to all stock based plans for the three month period ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013 was $0.1 million and $0.1 million respectively.  As of September 30, 2014, there was $0.7 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 2.34 years.