Stock Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 19, 2016

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs, Share-Based Payments [Abstract]

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

Note G – Stock Compensation

The fair value of stock-based compensation is recognized in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 718, Stock Compensation.

During the three months ended March 19, 2016, the Company awarded 13,250 restricted stock units to directors and 34,000 restricted stock units to employees. The restricted stock units awarded to directors time vest over two years (one-half one year from grant date and one-half two years from grant date) provided that the director is still a director of the Company at the vest date. Director restricted stock units are subject to forfeiture, except for termination of services as a result of retirement, death or disability, if on the vesting date the director no longer holds a position with the Company. The 2016 restricted stock units awarded to employees vest over four years (one-third two years from grant date, one-third three years from grant date and one-third four years from grant date) provided that the employee is still employed by the Company and that the performance criteria related to the market price of the Company’s stock is satisfied. The criteria is for any 30 consecutive trading days on the NASDAQ Stock Market (or such other principal securities exchange on which the Company’s shares of common stock are then traded) during the period beginning on the grant date and ending on the fourth anniversary thereof, the cumulative average Volume Weighted Average Price per share is at least 15% higher than the closing price per share on the grant date plus any incremental dividends paid above the current quarterly dividend rate of $0.11 per share by the Company during such four year period. The Company utilizes the Monte Carlo technique to determine the fair value of restricted stock units granted for awards with market conditions. In addition, the Company awarded 20,000 stock options to an employee. The stock options awarded will vest over five years (one-third three years from the grant date, one-third four years from the grant date and one-third five years from the grant date). The stock options have an exercise price 15% higher than the closing price of a share of Escalade common stock on the grant date and are subject to forfeiture if on the vesting date the employee is no longer employed. The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options granted.

For the three months ended March 19, 2016 and March 21, 2015, the Company recognized stock based compensation expense of $107 thousand and $135 thousand, respectively. At March 19, 2016 and March 21, 2015, respectively, there was $1.0 million and $1.1 million in unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested stock awards.