Note 13 - Stock-based Compensation Plan

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2024

Notes to Financial Statements

Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Text Block]

(13)  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLAN

As of December 31, 2024, we had unvested restricted stock awards and stock options granted under stock-based compensation plans. On June 21, 2023, our stockholders approved the inTEST Corporation 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”) which replaced the Fourth Amended and Restated 2014 Stock Plan (the “2014 Plan”). No further awards can be granted under the 2014 Plan. The maximum number of shares of common stock available for grant and issuance under the 2023 Plan is (a) 350,000, plus (b) the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2014 Plan on the date the 2023 Plan was approved by stockholders, plus (c) any shares of common stock that are subject to awards granted under the 2014 Plan that expire, are forfeited or canceled or terminate for any other reason on or after the date the 2023 Plan was approved by stockholders, without the issuance of shares. The number of shares available to be issued under the 2023 Plan as of the date of its approval was 1,117,942. Consistent with prior years’ performance-based awards, we reserve additional shares in the event that the performance achieves maximum levels. In aggregate, as of December 31, 2024, we have 45,618 shares reserved for performance in excess of target. As of December 31, 2024, the remaining authorization for issue under the 2023 Plan was 877,810.

The following table summarizes the compensation expense we recorded during 2024 and 2023 related to unvested shares of restricted stock, performance-based restricted stock awards and stock options:

	Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2024		2023
Cost of revenues	$	144	$	104
Selling expense		50		41
Engineering and product development expense		29		19
General and administrative expense		1,634		1,883
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	1,857	$	2,047

At December 31, 2024, total compensation expense to be recognized in future periods is $3.0 million. The weighted average period over which this expense is expected to be recognized is 2.1 years. There was no compensation expense capitalized in 2024 or 2023. 

Stock Options

The fair value for stock options granted during 2024 and 2023 was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2024			2023
Risk-free interest rate		3.98	%		3.93	%
Dividend yield		-			-
Expected common stock market price volatility factor		.57			.57
Weighted average expected life of stock options (years)		6.25			6.25

The per share weighted average fair value of stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $6.55 and $9.43, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023 was $189 thousand and $1.5 million, respectively.

The following table summarizes the activity related to stock options for the year ended December 31, 2024:

						Weighted
				Weighted		Average		Aggregate
				Average		Remaining		Intrinsic
	Number			Exercise		Contractual		Value
Stock Options	of Shares			Price		Term (yrs)		(in thousands)
Outstanding, January 1, 2024		505,006		$	10.46
Granted		165,364			11.33
Exercised		(30,080	)		5.41
Canceled		(37,697	)		11.4
Outstanding, December 31, 2024		602,593		$	10.92		7.3	$	242
Exercisable		260,853		$	9.92		6.2	$	217
Expected to vest		341,740		$	11.69		8.2	$	25

Restricted Stock Awards

The following table summarizes the activity related to unvested restricted stock awards for the year ended December 31, 2024:

	Number of Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested shares outstanding, January 1, 2024		189,784		$	11.51
Granted		138,838			11.38
Vested		(103,666	)		9.86
Forfeited		(16,174	)		12.35
Unvested shares outstanding, December 31, 2024		208,782		$	12.18

The total fair value of the restricted stock awards that vested during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $0.8 million and $3.1 million, respectively, as of the vesting dates of these awards. 

Performance-Based Awards

On August 24, 2020, our new President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) received a performance-based restricted stock award totaling 75,162 shares with a vesting date of August 24, 2023. These shares were valued at $345 thousand as of the date of grant. Per the terms of the award, the final vesting percentage could range from 0% to 150% of the number of shares awarded on August 24, 2020. On June 14, 2021, our new Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) received a performance-based restricted stock award totaling 5,953 shares. These shares were valued at $100 thousand as of the date of grant. The vesting provisions of this award are the same as the performance-based award granted to our CEO on August 24, 2020. The final vesting percentage is based on the achievement of certain performance metrics, including revenue compound annual growth rate and diluted earnings per share excluding amortization of intangibles, for specified time periods as determined by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. At December 31, 2022, we had estimated that these awards would vest at 150% of the original amount based on our assessment of the probable achievement against the relevant performance metrics. These awards vested at the 150% level on August 24, 2023. As a result, 40,557 additional shares of common stock were issued. At the original grant dates of these awards, shares totaling 100% of the respective awards were issued. These additional shares issued on August 24, 2023 represented the additional 50% that vested.

On March 10, 2021, we issued performance-based restricted stock awards totaling 18,000 shares to members of the senior management within our operating segments. These shares were valued at $191 thousand as of the date of grant. During the first quarter of 2023, 6,000 of these shares were forfeited when the individual to whom they had been granted resigned from his position with us. The remaining 12,000 shares vested on the third anniversary of the grant date at vesting percentages of 75% for 6,000 of the shares and 100% for the remaining 6,000 shares. The final vesting percentages were based on the achievement of certain performance metrics related to the operating results of the business units for which these members of management are responsible.

On October 1, 2021, we issued performance-based restricted stock awards totaling 5,000 shares to a member of senior management. These shares were valued at $59 thousand as of the date of grant. These shares will vest on January 1, 2025 at a vesting percentage that could range from 0% to 150% of the number of shares awarded on October 1, 2021. The final vesting percentage will be based on the achievement of certain performance metrics, including revenue compound annual growth rate and diluted earnings per share excluding amortization of intangibles, for specified time periods. During the fourth quarter of 2023, we reduced the expected final vesting percentage for these shares from 100% to 50% based on our current projection for the performance metrics for the relevant measurement period. At September 30, 2024, this estimate was further reduced to 0% based on our current assessment of the probable achievement against the relevant performance metrics. These adjustments were recorded in general and administrative expense in our statements of operations. At December 31, 2024 our estimate for this award remained at 0%.

On March 9, 2022, our CEO and CFO received performance-based restricted stock awards totaling 20,493 shares. These shares were valued at $200 thousand as of the date of grant. These shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant date at a vesting percentage that could range from 0% to 150% of the number of shares awarded on March 9, 2022. The final vesting percentage will be based on the achievement of certain performance metrics, including revenue compound annual growth rate, for specified time periods as determined by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. During the fourth quarter of 2023, we reduced the expected final vesting percentage for these shares from 100% to 50% based on our current projection for the performance metrics for the relevant measurement period. At September 30, 2024, this estimate was further reduced to 0% based on our current assessment of the probable achievement against the relevant performance metrics. These adjustments were recorded in general and administrative expense in our statements of operations. At December 31, 2024 our estimate for this award remained at 0%. 

On March 8, 2023, our CEO, CFO and certain other members of our senior management received performance-based restricted stock awards totaling 18,888 shares valued at $303 thousand as of the date of grant. These shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant date at a vesting percentage that could range from 0% to 150% of the number of shares of restricted stock awarded on March 8, 2023. The final vesting percentage will be based on the achievement of certain performance metrics related to consolidated revenue for specified time periods as determined by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. During the fourth quarter of 2024, we reduced this estimate from 100% to 50% based on our current projections for the performance metrics for the relevant measurement period. The adjustment for this award was recorded in general and administrative expense in our statements of operations.

On May 8, 2023 the newly appointed president of our Environmental Technologies segment received performance-based restricted stock awards totaling 5,081 shares valued at $108 thousand as of the date of grant. These shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant date at a vesting percentage that could range from 0% to 150% of the number of shares of restricted stock awarded on May 8, 2023. The final vesting percentage will be based on the achievement of certain performance metrics including revenue and income from operations for specified time periods. During the fourth quarter of 2024, we reduced this estimate from 100% to 50% based on our current projections for the performance metrics for the relevant measurement period. The adjustment for this award was recorded in general and administrative expense in our statements of operations.

On January 16, 2024 the newly appointed president of our Process Technologies segment received performance-based restricted stock awards totaling 8,231 shares valued at $100 thousand as of the date of grant. These shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant date at a vesting percentage that could range from 0% to 150% of the number of shares of restricted stock awarded on January 16, 2024. The final vesting percentage will be based on the achievement of certain performance metrics including revenue and income from operations for specified time periods. As of December 31, 2024, we have estimated that these shares will vest at 100% of the original amount based on our assessment of the probable achievement against the relevant performance metrics.

On March 6, 2024, our CEO, CFO and the Division Presidents of our three operating segments received restricted stock awards totaling 33,539 shares valued at $380 thousand as of the date of grant. These shares vest on the third anniversary of the grant date at a vesting percentage that could range from 0% to 150% of the number of shares awarded on March 6, 2024. The final vesting percentage will be based on the achievement of certain performance metrics related to adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2026 as determined by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. At December 31, 2024, we have estimated that these shares will vest at 100% of the original amount based on our assessment of the probable achievement against the relevant performance metrics.