Equity Incentive Plan Description

On September 16, 2015, our shareholders approved an equity incentive plan entitled the Culp, Inc. 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”). The 2015 Plan updated and replaced our 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”) as the vehicle for granting new equity based awards substantially similar to those authorized under the 2007 Plan. In general, the 2015 Plan authorizes the grant of stock options intended to qualify as incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance units, and other equity and cash related awards as determined by our Compensation Committee. An aggregate of 1,200,000 shares of common stock were authorized for issuance under the 2015 Plan, with certain sub-limits that would apply with respect to specific types of awards that may be issued as defined in the 2015 Plan. In connection with the approval of the 2015 Plan, no further awards will be granted under the 2007 Plan, but outstanding awards under the 2007 Plan will be settled in accordance with their terms.

At January 29, 2017, there were 959,942 shares available for future equity based grants under our 2015 plan.

 

Incentive Stock Option Awards

We did not grant any incentive stock option awards through the through the third quarter of fiscal 2017.

At January 29, 2017, options to purchase 78,600 shares of common stock were outstanding and exercisable, had a weighted average exercise price of $8.43 per share, and a weighted average contractual term of 0.6 years. At January 29, 2017, the aggregate intrinsic value for options outstanding and exercisable was $2.0 million.

The aggregate intrinsic value for options exercised for the nine months ending January 29, 2017 and January 31, 2016, was $128,000 and $1.0 million, respectively.

At January 29, 2017, there were no unvested incentive stock option awards. Therefore, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to incentive stock option awards at January 29, 2017.

No compensation expense was recorded for incentive stock options for the nine months ended January 29, 2017 and January 31, 2016, respectively.

Common Stock Awards

On October 3, 2016, we granted a total of 4,800 shares of common stock to our outside directors. These shares of common stock vest immediately and were measured at $29.80 per share, which represents the closing price of our common stock at the date of grant.

On October 1, 2015, we granted a total of 3,000 shares of common stock to our outside directors. These shares of common stock vest immediately and were measured at $31.77 per share, which represents the closing price of our common stock at the date of grant.

We recorded $143,000 and $95,000 within selling, general, and administrative expense for these common stock awards for the nine months ending January 29, 2017, and January 31, 2016, respectively.

Performance Based Restricted Stock Units

Fiscal 2017 Grants

On July 14, 2016, certain key members of management were granted performance-based restricted stock units which could earn up to 107,880 shares of common stock if certain performance targets are met as defined in the related restricted stock unit agreements. These awards were valued based on the fair market value on the date of grant. The fair value of these awards was $28 per share, which represents the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. The vesting of these awards is over the requisite service period of three years.

On July 14, 2016, a non-employee was granted performance-based restricted stock units which could earn up to 11,549 shares of common stock if certain performance targets are met as defined in the related restricted stock unit agreement. The fair value of this award is measured at the earlier date of when the performance criteria are met or the end of the reporting period. At January 29, 2017, this grant was unvested and was measured at $33.80 per share, which represents the closing price of our common stock at the end of the reporting period. The vesting of this award is over the requisite service period of three years.

 

Fiscal 2016 Grants

On July 15, 2015, certain key members of management were granted performance-based restricted stock units which could earn up to 107,554 shares of common stock if certain performance targets are met as defined in the related restricted stock unit agreements. These awards were valued based on the fair market value on the date of grant. The fair value of these awards was $32.23 per share, which represents the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. The vesting of these awards is over the requisite service period of three years.

On July 15, 2015, a non-employee was granted performance-based restricted stock units which could earn up to 10,364 shares of common stock if certain performance targets are met as defined in the related restricted stock unit agreement. The fair value of this award is measured at the earlier date of when the performance criteria are met or the end of the reporting period. At January 29, 2017, this grant was unvested and was measured at $33.80 per share, which represents the closing price of our common stock at the end of the reporting period. The vesting of this award is over the requisite service period of three years.

Fiscal 2015 Grants

On June 24, 2014, certain key members of management were granted performance-based restricted stock units which could earn up to 102,845 shares of common stock if certain performance targets are met as defined in the related restricted stock unit agreements. These awards were valued based on the fair market value on the date of grant. The fair value of these awards was $17.70 per share, which represents the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. The vesting of these awards is over the requisite service period of three years.

On March 3, 2015, a non-employee was granted performance-based restricted stock units which could earn up to 28,000 shares of common stock if certain performance targets are met as defined in the related restricted stock unit agreements. The fair value of this award is measured at the earlier date of when the performance criteria are met or the end of the reporting period. At January 29, 2017, 16,000 restricted stock units associated with this grant were unvested and were measured at $33.80 per share, which represents the closing price of the company’s common stock at the end of the reporting period. The vesting of these 16,000 restricted stock units vest over their requisite service period of 28 months. During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, 12,000 shares of common stock associated with the grant vested and had a weighted average fair value of $345,000 or $28.77 per share.

2014 Grant

On June 25, 2013, certain key members of management were granted performance-based restricted stock units which could earn up to 72,380 shares of common stock if certain performance targets are met as defined in the related restricted stock unit agreements. These awards were valued based on the fair market value on the date of grant. The fair value of these awards was $17.12 per share, which represents the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. The vesting of these awards is over the requisite service period of three years.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, 37,192 shares of common stock associated with this grant vested and had a weighted average fair value of $637,000 or $17.12 per share. Our fiscal 2014 grant is fully vested.

Fiscal 2013 Grant

On July 11, 2012, certain key members of management were granted performance based restricted stock units which could earn up to 120,000 shares of common stock if certain performance targets are met as defined in the related restricted stock unit agreements. These awards were valued based on the fair market value on the date of grant. The fair value of these awards was $10.21 per share, which represents the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. The vesting of these awards is over the requisite service period of three years.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, 115,855 shares of common stock associated with our fiscal 2013 grant vested and had a weighted average fair value of $1.2 million or $10.21 per share. Our fiscal 2013 grant is fully vested.

Overall

We recorded compensation expense of $2.5 million and $1.9 million within selling, general, and administrative expense for our performance based restricted stock unit awards for the nine month periods ending January 29, 2017 and January 31, 2016, respectively. Compensation cost is recorded based on an assessment each reporting period of the probability if certain performance goals will be met during the vesting period. If performance goals are not probable of occurrence, no compensation cost will be recognized and any recognized compensation cost would be reversed.

As of January 29, 2017, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to our performance based restricted stock unit awards was $4.8 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average vesting period of 1.9 years.

Time Vested Restricted Stock Units

On July 14, 2016, an employee was granted 1,200 shares of time vested restricted stock units. This award was valued based on the fair market value on the date of grant. The fair value of this award was $28 per share, which represents the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. The vesting of this award is over the requisite service period of 11 months.

We recorded compensation expense of $20,000 within selling, general, and administrative expense for our time vested restricted stock unit awards for the nine months ending January 29, 2017. There were not any time vested restricted stock unit awards granted or unvested during the nine months ending January 31, 2016 and, therefore, no compensation expense was recorded.

At January 29, 2017, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested time vested restricted stock awards was $14,000, which is expected to be recognized over the next 4.5 months.