In 2016, the Company adopted the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the “2016 Plan”). The Company also adopted the Inducement Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Inducement Plan,” and, together with the 2016 Plan, the “Plans”) on December 15, 2016.

The Company computes a deferred tax benefit for restricted stock awards (“RSUs”), performance-based stock units (“PSUs”) and stock options designed to generate future tax deductions by applying its effective tax rate to the expense recorded. For restricted stock units, the Company's actual tax deduction is based on the value of the units at the time of vesting.

The expense for awards issued to both employees and non-employees, which was recorded in “General and administrative, net” in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations was $5.5 million, $5.1 million and $4.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Capitalized share-based compensation was $0.3 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million and for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

We view stock option awards and restricted stock unit awards with graded vesting as single awards with an expected life equal to the average expected life of component awards, and we amortize the awards on a straight-line basis over the life of the awards. The Company accounts for forfeitures in compensation cost when they occur.

The compensation cost related to these awards is based on the grant date fair value and is expensed over the vesting period (generally one to five years). We use the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock option awards.

At December 31, 2023, we had no unrecognized compensation cost related to stock option awards. The following table represents stock option award activity for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:


	Options Outstanding
	Options	Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price		Wtd. Avg. Remaining Contractual Term (years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Balance outstanding, January 1, 2023	196,162	26.46		4.4	438
Options exercised	—	—
Options expired	—	—
Options outstanding, December 31, 2023	196,162	$	26.46	3.4	$	525
Options exercisable, December 31, 2023	196,162	$	26.46	3.4	$	525

The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2022 was $0.3 million. There were no stock options exercised during the years ended year ended December 31, 2023 or 2021.

The Plans allow for the issuance of restricted stock unit awards that generally may not be sold or otherwise transferred until certain restrictions have lapsed. The compensation cost related to these awards is based on the grant date fair value and is typically expensed over the requisite service period (generally one to five years).

As of December 31, 2023, we had unrecognized compensation expense of $4.3 million related to our restricted stock units which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were $3.4 million, $7.7 million and $2.6 million, respectively.


	Shares	Wtd. Avg. Grant Price
Restricted stock units outstanding, December 31, 2022	227,114	21.18
Restricted stock units granted	197,073	23.81
Restricted stock units forfeited	(1,424)	25.44
Restricted stock units vested	(137,600)	17.80
Restricted stock units outstanding, December 31, 2023	285,163	$	24.61

On May 21, 2019, the Company granted 99,500 PSUs for which the number of shares earned was based on the total shareholder return (“TSR”) of the Company's common stock relative to the TSR of its selected peers during the performance period from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021. The awards contained market conditions which allowed a payout ranging between 0% payout and 200% of the target payout. The fair value as of the grant date was $18.86 per unit or 112.9% of stock price. The awards had a cliff-vesting period of three years. In the first quarter of 2022, the Board and its Compensation Committee approved payout of these awards at 117% of target. Accordingly, 97,812 shares were issued on February 23, 2022.

On February 24, 2021, the Company granted 161,389 PSUs for which the number of shares earned is based on the TSR of the Company's common stock relative to the TSR of its selected peers during the performance period from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022. The awards contained market conditions which allowed a payout ranging between 0% and 200% of the target payout. The fair value as of the grant date was $13.13 per unit or 157.6% of the stock price. The compensation expense for these awards was based on the per unit grant date valuation using a Monte Carlo simulation multiplied by the target payout level. The payout level was calculated based on actual stock price performance achieved during the performance period. The awards had a cliff-vesting period of two years. In the first quarter of 2023, the Board and its Compensation Committee approved payout of these awards at 188% of target. Accordingly, 303,410 shares were issued on February 22, 2023.

On February 23, 2022, the Company granted 122,111 PSUs for which the number of shares earned is based on the TSR of the Company's common stock relative to the TSR of its selected peers during the performance period from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2024. The awards contain market conditions which allow a payout ranging between 0% and 200% of the target payout. The fair value as of the grant date was $36.47 per unit or 150.93% of the stock price. The compensation expense for these awards is based on the per unit grant date valuation using a Monte Carlo simulation multiplied by the target payout level. The payout level is calculated based on actual stock price performance achieved during the performance period. The awards have a cliff-vesting period of three years. All PSUs granted remain outstanding related to this award as of December 31, 2023.

On February 23, 2023, the Company granted 120,749 PSUs for which the number of shares earned is based on the TSR of the Company's common stock relative to the TSR of its selected peers during the performance period from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025. The awards contain market conditions which allow a payout ranging between 0% and 200% of the target payout. The fair value as of the grant date was $31.18 per unit or 136.28% of the stock price. The compensation expense for these awards is based on the per unit grant date valuation using a Monte Carlo simulation multiplied by the target payout level. The payout level is calculated based on actual stock price performance achieved during the performance period. The awards have a cliff-vesting period of three years. All PSUs granted remain outstanding related to this award as of December 31, 2023.

As of December 31, 2023, we had unrecognized compensation expense of $4.2 million related to our PSUs based on the assumption of 100.0% target payout. The remaining weighted-average performance period is 1.6 years.


	Shares	Wtd. Avg. Grant Price
PSUs outstanding, December 31, 2022	283,500	$	23.18
PSUs granted	120,749	$	31.18
PSUs incremental shares granted	142,021	$	13.13
PSUs vested	(303,410)	$	13.13
PSUs outstanding, December 31, 2023	242,860	$	33.84

We have a savings plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company contributed on behalf of eligible employees an amount up to 100% of the first 6% of compensation based on the contributions made by the eligible employees in 2023 and 2022. The Company's plan contributions of $0.8 million, $0.6 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, were paid in cash during each pay period. These amounts were recorded as “General and administrative, net” on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.