Share-Based Compensation

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2020

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation

General

In May 2018, our shareholders approved The Taubman Company LLC 2018 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan (2018 Omnibus Plan). The 2018 Omnibus Plan provides for the award of restricted shares, restricted share units, restricted profits units of TRG (TRG Profits Units), options to purchase common shares, unrestricted shares, and dividend equivalent rights, in each case with or without performance conditions, to acquire up to an aggregate of 2.8 million common shares or TRG Profits Units to directors, officers, employees, and other service providers of TCO and our affiliates. Every share or TRG Profits Unit subject to awards under the 2018 Omnibus Plan shall be counted against this limit as one share or TRG Profits Unit for every one share or TRG Profits Unit granted. The amount of shares or TRG Profits Units available for future grants is adjusted when the number of contingently issuable common shares or units are settled. If an award issued under the 2018 Omnibus Plan is forfeited, expires without being exercised, or is used to pay tax withholding on such award, the shares or TRG Profits Units become available for issuance under new awards. TRG Profits Units are intended to constitute "profits interests" within the meaning of Treasury authority under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In addition, non-employee directors have the option to defer their compensation under a deferred compensation plan. The 2018 Omnibus Plan allows us to permit or require the deferral of all or a part of an award payment into a deferred compensation arrangement. Prior to the adoption of the 2018 Omnibus Plan, we provided share-based compensation through The Taubman Company LLC 2008 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan (2008 Omnibus Plan), as amended, which expired in May 2018.

Changes to Share-Based Compensation Agreements Following Completion of Merger

Certain terms of our existing share-based compensation programs will change following the completion of Simon's pending acquisition of TCO, if the acquisition is consummated per the terms of the Merger Agreement. See Note 1 for more information on the status of the Merger Agreement. At the REIT Merger Effective Time, (1) each outstanding restricted stock unit award of TCO (each, a RSU) and each outstanding performance stock unit award (each, a PSU) granted under the 2008 Omnibus Plan and 2018 Omnibus Plan (Taubman Stock Plans) that vest in accordance with its terms in connection with the closing of the merger will automatically convert into the right to receive the Common Stock Merger Consideration; (2) each outstanding RSU and PSU that is not eligible to vest in accordance with its terms at the REIT Merger Effective Time will be converted into a cash substitute award to be paid (A) with respect to any such award granted prior to 2020, in accordance with the same service-vesting schedule that applied to the original RSU or PSU award and (B) with respect to any such award granted in 2020, in accordance with the same vesting schedule (including performance-vesting conditions) that applied to the original RSU or PSU award; (3) each outstanding share of deferred TCO Common Stock (each, a TCO DSU) granted under the Taubman Stock Plans will be converted into the right to receive the Common Stock Merger Consideration, and (4) each dividend equivalent right granted in tandem with any RSU or PSU (each, a TCO DER) will be treated in the same manner as the outstanding RSU or PSU to which such TCO DER relates.

TRG Profits Units

There were no TRG Profits Units granted in 2020. The following types of TRG Profits Units awards were granted to certain senior management employees in prior years: (1) a time-based award with a three year cliff vesting period (Restricted TRG Profits Units); (2) a performance-based award that is based on the achievement of relative total shareholder return (TSR) over a three year period (Relative TSR Performance-based TRG Profits Units); and (3) a performance-based award that is based on the achievement of net operating income (NOI) over a three year period (NOI Performance-based TRG Profits Units). The maximum number of Relative TSR and NOI Performance-based TRG Profits Units are issued at grant, eventually subject to a recovery and cancellation of previously granted amounts depending on actual performance against TSR and NOI measures over the three year performance measurement period. NOI Performance-based TRG Profits Units provide for a cap on the maximum number of units vested if absolute TSR is not positive over a three year period. Relative TSR and NOI Performance-based TRG Profits Units are generally subject to the same performance measures as the TSR-Based and NOI-Based Performance Share Units (see 2020 Awards - Other Management Employee Grants below). Despite the difference in scaling of the grant programs, the final outcome of the TSR and NOI performance measures will result in similar numbers of either TRG Units or common shares being issued at vesting under the TRG Profits Units program and the Performance Share Unit program, respectively.

Each such award represents a contingent right to receive a TRG Unit upon vesting and the satisfaction of certain tax-driven requirements and, as to the TSR and NOI Performance-based TRG Profits Units, the satisfaction of certain performance-based requirements. Until vested, a TRG Profits Unit entitles the holder to only one-tenth of the distributions otherwise payable by TRG on a TRG Unit. Therefore, we account for these TRG Profits Units as participating securities in TRG. A portion of the TRG Profits Units award represents estimated cash distributions that otherwise would have been payable during the vesting period and, upon vesting, there will be an adjustment in actual number of TRG Profits Units realized under each award to reflect TRG's actual cash distributions during the vesting period.

All outstanding TRG Profits Units previously issued will vest in March 2021, if continuous service has been provided, or upon retirement or certain other events (such as death or disability) if earlier. Each holder of a TRG Profits Unit will be treated as a limited partner in TRG from the date of grant. To the extent the vested TRG Profits Units have not achieved the applicable criteria for conversion to TRG Units, vesting and economic equivalence to a TRG Unit prior to the tenth anniversary of the date of grant, the awards will be forfeited pursuant to the terms of the award agreement.

2020 Awards - Other Management Employee Grants

During 2020 and in prior years, other types of awards granted to management employees include those described below. The awards granted in 2020 vest in March 2023, if continuous service has been provided, or upon retirement or certain other events (such as death or disability) if earlier.

TSR - Based Performance Share Units (TSR PSU) - Each TSR PSU represents the right to receive, upon vesting, shares of common stock ranging from 0-300% of the TSR PSU based on our market performance relative to that of a peer group. The TSR PSU grants include a cash payment upon vesting equal to the aggregate cash dividends that would have been paid on such shares of common stock during the vesting period.

NOI - Based Performance Share Units (NOI PSU) - Each NOI PSU represents the right to receive, upon vesting, shares of common stock ranging from 0-300% of the NOI PSU based on our NOI performance, as well as a cash payment upon vesting equal to the aggregate cash dividends that would have been paid on such shares of common stock during the vesting period. These awards also provide for a cap on the maximum number of units vested if absolute TSR is not positive over a three-year period.

Restricted Share Units (RSU) - Each RSU represents the right to receive upon vesting one share of common stock, as well as a cash payment upon vesting equal to the aggregate cash dividends that would have been paid on such shares of common stock during the vesting period.

Expensed and Capitalized Costs

The compensation cost charged to income for our share-based compensation plans was $2.0 million and $3.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively. The compensation cost charged to income for our share-based compensation plans was $2.0 million and $4.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively. Compensation cost capitalized as part of properties and deferred leasing costs was $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively, and $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019.

Valuation Methodologies

We estimated the grant-date fair values of share-based grants using the methods as follows. Expected volatility and dividend yields are based on historical volatility and yields of our common stock, respectively, as well as other factors. The risk-free interest rates used are based on the U.S. Treasury yield curves in effect at the grant date. We assume no forfeitures for failure to meet the service requirement of PSU or TRG Profits Units, due to the small number of participants and low turnover rate.

The valuations of all grants utilized our common stock price at the grant date. Common stock prices when used in valuing TRG Profits Units are further adjusted by the present value of expected differences in dividends payable on the common stock versus the distributions payable on the TRG Profits Units over the vesting period. We estimated the value of grants dependent on TSR performance using a Monte Carlo simulation and considering historical returns of TCO and the peer group.

For awards dependent on NOI performance, we consider the NOI measure a performance condition under applicable accounting standards, and as such, have estimated a grant-date fair value for each of its possible outcomes. The compensation cost ultimately will be recognized equal to the grant-date fair value of the award that coincides with the actual outcome of the NOI performance. The weighted average grant-date fair value shown for NOI-dependent awards corresponds with management's current expectation of the probable outcome of the NOI performance measure. The product of the NOI-dependent awards outstanding and the grant-date fair value represents the compensation cost being recognized over the service periods.

The valuations of TRG Profits Units consider the possibility that sufficient share price appreciation will not be realized, such that the conversion to TRG Units will not occur and the awards will be forfeited.

Summaries of Activity for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2020

Restricted TRG Profits Units

	Number of Restricted TRG Profits Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2020	22,411		$	54.73
Units recovered and cancelled (1)	(58	)	57.84
Vested and converted (2)	(14,199	)	57.84
Outstanding at June 30, 2020	8,154		$	49.29

(1) This reflects the recovery and cancellation of previously granted Restricted TRG Profits Units, which vested on March 1, 2020, as a result of the actual cash distributions made during the vesting period.

(2) This represents the conversion of Restricted TRG Profits Units to TRG Units, which vested on March 1, 2020, and had previously satisfied certain tax–driven requirements.

As of June 30, 2020, there was $0.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested Restricted TRG Profits Units outstanding. This cost is expected to be recognized over an average period of 0.7 years.

Relative TSR Performance-based TRG Profits Units

	Number of relative TSR Performance-based TRG Profits Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2020	50,420		$	22.81
Units recovered and cancelled (1)	(27,318	)	23.14
Vested and converted (2)	(4,757	)	23.14
Outstanding at June 30, 2020	18,345		$	22.22

(1) This reflects the recovery and cancellation of previously granted (300% of target grant amount) Relative TSR Performance-based TRG Profits Units, which vested on March 1, 2020, as a result of the performance payout ratio of 17% and the actual cash distributions made during the vesting period. That is, despite the completion of applicable employee service requirements, the number of Relative TSR Performance-based TRG Profits Units ultimately considered earned is determined by the extent to which the TSR market performance measure was achieved during the performance period.

(2) This represents the conversion of Restricted TRG Profits Units to TRG Units, which vested on March 1, 2020, and had previously satisfied certain tax–driven requirements.

As of June 30, 2020, there was $0.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested Relative TSR Performance-based TRG Profits Units outstanding. This cost is expected to be recognized over an average period of 0.7 years.

NOI Performance-based TRG Profits Units

	Number of NOI Performance-based TRG Profits Units		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2020	50,420		$	2.99
Units recovered and cancelled (1)	(32,075	)	—
Outstanding at June 30, 2020	18,345		$	8.21

(1) This reflects the recovery and cancellation of previously granted (300% of target grant amount) NOI Performance-based TRG Profits Units, which vested on March 1, 2020, as a result of the performance payout ratio of 0%. That is, despite the completions of applicable employee service requirements, the number of NOI Performance-based TRG Profits Units ultimately considered earned is determined by the extent to which the NOI performance measure was achieved during the performance period.

As of June 30, 2020, there was less than $0.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested NOI Performance-based TRG Profits Units outstanding. This cost is expected to be recognized over an average period of 0.7 years.

TSR - Based Performance Share Units

	Number of TSR PSU		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2020	29,375		$	82.95
Vested (1)	(2,492	)	79.60
Outstanding at June 30, 2020	26,883		$	83.26

(1) Based on our market performance relative to that of a peer group, the actual number of shares of common stock issued upon vesting on March 1, 2020 was 1,297 shares for the TSR PSU three-year grants. The shares of common stock were issued at 0.52x. That is, despite the completion of the applicable employee service requirements, the number of shares ultimately considered earned is determined by the extent to which the TSR market performance measure was achieved during the performance period.

As of June 30, 2020, there was $0.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested TSR PSU outstanding. This cost is expected to be recognized over an average period of 1.4 years.

NOI - Based Performance Share Units

	Number of NOI PSU		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2020	29,375		$	40.95
Granted	31,318		43.24
Vested (1)	(2,492	)	—
Outstanding at June 30, 2020	58,201		$	43.94

(1) The actual number of shares of common stock issued upon vesting on March 1, 2020 was zero. That is, despite the completion of applicable employee service requirements, the number of shares ultimately considered earned is determined by the extent to which NOI was achieved during the performance period.

As of June 30, 2020, there was $1.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested NOI PSU outstanding. This cost is expected to be recognized over an average period of 1.9 years.

Restricted Share Units

	Number of RSU		Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2020	179,846		$	57.73
Granted	84,352		47.07
Vested	(41,974	)	67.05
Forfeited	(1,681	)	56.55
Outstanding at June 30, 2020	220,543		$	51.89

As of June 30, 2020, there was $6.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested RSU outstanding. This cost is expected to be recognized over an average period of 1.9 years.

Unit Option Deferral Election

Under a prior option plan, the 2008 Omnibus Plan, and the 2018 Omnibus Plan, vested unit options can be exercised by tendering mature units with a market value equal to the exercise price of the unit options. In 2002, Robert S. Taubman, our chief executive officer, exercised options for 3.0 million units by tendering 2.1 million mature units and deferring receipt of 0.9 million units under the unit option deferral election. As TRG pays distributions, the deferred option units receive their proportionate share of the distributions in the form of cash payments. Under an amendment executed in January 2011 and subsequent deferral elections (the latest being made in September 2016), beginning in December 2022 (unless Mr. Taubman retires earlier), the deferred options units will be issued as TRG Units in five annual installments. The deferred option units are accounted for as participating securities of TRG.