Stock-based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2017

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

Stock-based Compensation

2) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The following table summarizes the Company’s stock-based compensation expense for the three months endedMarch 31, 2017 and 2016.

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2017			2016
RSUs and PSUs	$	33		$	32
Stock options	7			7
Stock-based compensation expense, before income taxes	40			39
Related tax benefit	(15		)	(15		)
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax benefit	$	25		$	24

During the three months endedMarch 31, 2017, the Company granted 2 million RSUs for CBS Corp. Class B Common Stock with a weighted average per unit grant-date fair value of $66.29. RSUs granted during the first three months of 2017 generally vest over a one- to four-year service period. Compensation expense for RSUs is determined based upon the market price of the shares underlying the awards on the date of grant. For certain RSU awards the number of shares an employee earns ranges from 0% to 120% of the target award, based on the outcome of established performance conditions. Compensation expense is recorded based on the probable outcome of the performance conditions. During the three months endedMarch 31, 2017, the Company also granted awards of market-based PSUs. The number of shares that will be issued upon vesting of the PSUs is based on the Company’s stock price performance over a designated measurement period, as well as the achievement of established operating goals. The fair value of the PSUs is determined on the grant date using a Monte Carlo simulation model and is expensed over the required employee service period. The fair value of the PSU awards granted during the three months endedMarch 31, 2017 was $23 million. 

During the three months endedMarch 31, 2017, the Company also granted 1 million stock options with a weighted average exercise price of $66.31. Stock options granted during the first three months of 2017 vest over a four-year service period and expire eight years from the date of grant. Compensation expense for stock options is determined based on the grant date fair value of the award calculated using the Black-Scholes options-pricing model.

Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested RSUs and PSUs at March 31, 2017 was $284 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.7 years. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock option awards at March 31, 2017 was $58 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.8 years.