Stock Appreciation Rights, Deferred Compensation and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

9 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2021

Stock Appreciation Rights, Deferred Compensation and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

Stock Appreciation Rights, Deferred Compensation and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

10. Stock Appreciation Rights, Deferred Compensation and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

The following table presents a summary of changes to the liabilities for stock appreciation rights, deferred compensation and redeemable noncontrolling interests for the nine months ended January 31, 2021:

	Stock				Redeemable
	Appreciation		Deferred		Noncontrolling
	Rights		Compensation		Interests
	(in thousands)
Balance as of April 30, 2020	$	24,205	$	1,660	$	8,300
Amounts redeemed		(583)		—		—
Change in fair value		2,552		177		885
Balance as of January 31, 2021	$	26,174	$	1,837	$	9,185
Classified as current as of April 30, 2020	$	624	$	—	$	—
Classified as long-term as of April 30, 2020		23,581		1,660		8,300
Classified as current as of January 31, 2021	$	1,200	$	—	$	—
Classified as long-term as of January 31, 2021		24,974		1,837		9,185

Total expense related to these instruments was $3.6 million and $1.3 million during the nine months ended January 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and was included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.

The Company uses a lognormal binomial method to determine the fair value of stock appreciation rights, deferred compensation and redeemable noncontrolling interests at redemption date. Significant inputs used in this method include volatility rates, a discount rate, the expected time to redemption of the liabilities, historical values of the book equity of certain subsidiaries and market information for comparable entities. The use of these inputs to derive the fair value of the liabilities at a point in time can result in volatility to the financial statements.

Stock Appreciation Rights

Certain subsidiaries have granted stock appreciation rights to certain employees under which payments are dependent on the appreciation in the book value per share, adjusted for certain provisions, of the applicable subsidiary. Settlements of the awards can be made in a combination of cash or installment notes, generally paid over five years, upon a triggering event. As of January 31, 2021, all stock appreciation rights were vested. Liabilities related to these agreements are classified as share-based liability awards and are measured at fair value.

Deferred Compensation

Subsidiaries’ stockholders have entered into other deferred compensation agreements that granted the stockholders a payment based on a percentage in excess of book value, adjusted for certain provisions, upon an occurrence as defined in the related agreements. These instruments are redeemed in cash or installment notes, generally paid in annual installments over the five years following termination of employment. Liabilities related to these agreements are classified as share-based liability awards and are measured at fair value.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling interests were issued to certain employees of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries. All of the noncontrolling interest awards are subject to mandatory redemption on termination of employment for any reason. These instruments are redeemed in cash or installment notes, generally paid in annual installments over the five years following termination of employment. Liabilities related to these agreements are classified as share-based liability awards and are measured at fair value. Under the terms of the employee agreements, the redemption value is determined based on the book value of the subsidiary, as adjusted for certain items.

Upon the termination of employment or other triggering events including death or disability of the noncontrolling stockholders in the Company’s subsidiaries, we are obligated to purchase, or redeem, the noncontrolling interests at either an agreed upon price or a formula value provided in the stockholder agreements. This formula value is typically based on the book value per share of the subsidiary’s equity, including certain adjustments.