SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

Share-based incentive awards are provided to employees under the terms of various share-based compensation plans (collectively, the “Plans”). The Plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Awards under the Plans principally include at-the-money stock options, nonvested stock and cash awards. Nonvested stock awards include grants of market-based, performance-based, and time-vested restricted stock rights. Under the terms of our Plans, dividends may be paid on our nonvested stock awards but are not paid unless the award vests. Upon vesting, the amount of the dividends paid is equal to the aggregate dividends declared on common shares during the period from the date of grant of the award until the date the shares underlying the award are delivered.

The following table provides information on share-based compensation expense and income tax benefits recognized during the periods:



	Three months ended March 31,
	2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Stock option and stock purchase plans	$	2,301		2,237
Nonvested stock	3,364			2,621
Share-based compensation expense	5,665			4,858
Income tax benefit	(1,882		)	(1,676	)
Share-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	3,783		3,182

During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, approximately 358,000 and 405,000 stock options, respectively, were granted under the Plans. These awards generally vest evenly over a three year period beginning on the date of grant. The stock options have contractual terms of ten years. The fair value of each option award at the date of grant was estimated using a Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing valuation model. Share-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The weighted-average fair value per option granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $18.46 and $14.99, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, approximately 19,000 and 22,000 market-based restricted stock rights were granted, respectively, under the Plans. The awards are segmented into three performance periods of one, two and three years. At the end of each performance period, up to 125% of the award may be earned based on Ryder's total shareholder return (TSR) compared to the target TSR of a peer group over the applicable performance period. If earned, employees will receive the grant of stock at the end of the relevant three year performance period provided they continue to be employed with Ryder, subject to Compensation Committee approval. The fair value of the market-based restricted stock rights was estimated using a lattice-based option-pricing valuation model that incorporates a Monte-Carlo simulation. The fair value of the market-based awards was determined on the grant date and considers the likelihood of Ryder achieving the market-based condition. Share-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The weighted-average fair value per market-based restricted stock right granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $89.40 and $61.07, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, approximately 35,000 and 42,000 performance-based restricted stock rights (PBRSRs), respectively, were awarded under the Plans. The awards are segmented into three one-year performance periods. For these awards, up to 125% of the awards may be earned based on Ryder's one-year adjusted return on capital (ROC) measured against an annual ROC target. If earned, employees will receive the grant of stock three years after the grant date, provided they continue to be employed with Ryder, subject to Compensation Committee approval. For accounting purposes, these awards are not considered granted until the Compensation Committee approves the annual ROC target. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, approximately 42,000 and 30,000 PBRSRs, respectively, were considered granted for accounting purposes. The fair value of the PBRSRs is determined and fixed on the grant date based on Ryder's stock price on the date of grant. Share-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based upon the probability that the performance target will be met. The weighted-average fair value per PBRSR granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $93.04 and $71.43, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, approximately 68,000 and 87,000 time-vested restricted stock rights, respectively, were granted under the Plans. The time-vested restricted stock rights entitle the holder to shares of common stock when the awards generally vest at the end of the three-year period after the grant date. The fair value of the time-vested awards is determined and fixed on the date of grant based on Ryder’s stock price on the date of grant. Share-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The weighted-average fair value per time-vested restricted stock right granted during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $93.50 and $71.40, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, employees received market-based cash awards. The cash awards have the same vesting provisions as the market-based restricted stock rights. The cash awards are accounted for as liability awards under the share-based compensation accounting guidance as the awards are based upon the performance of our common stock and are settled in cash. As a result, the liability is adjusted to reflect fair value at the end of each reporting period. The fair value of the cash awards was estimated using a lattice-based option-pricing valuation model that incorporates a Monte-Carlo simulation. Share-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

The following table is a summary of compensation expense recognized for market-based cash awards in addition to the share-based compensation expense reported in the previous table:

Total unrecognized pre-tax compensation expense related to all share-based compensation arrangements at March 31, 2015 was $38.5 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years.

Three months ended March 31,

(In thousands)

Cash awards