Long-term incentive compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Long-term incentive compensation

Long-term incentive compensation

Long-term incentive program (LTIP) compensation includes both stock-based awards (principally stock-settled stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, and performance stock units) as well as long-term performance-based cash awards. Long-term incentive compensation expense, which is primarily general and administrative in nature, is attributed to the Company’s U.S. dialysis business, corporate administrative support, and ancillary services.

The Company’s stock-based compensation expense for stock-settled awards is measured at the estimated fair value of awards on the date of grant and recognized on a cumulative straight-line basis over the vesting terms of the awards unless the stock awards are based on non-market based performance metrics, in which case expense is adjusted for the expected ultimate shares to be issued as of the end of each reporting period. Stock-based compensation expense for cash-settled awards is based on their estimated fair values as of the end of each reporting period. The expense for all stock-based awards is recognized net of expected forfeitures.

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company granted 950 restricted and performance stock units with an aggregate grant-date fair value of $72,648 and a weighted-average expected life of approximately 3.5 years and 2,765 stock-settled stock appreciation rights with an aggregate grant-date fair value of $73,833 and a weighted-average expected life of approximately 4.8 years.

For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $25,594 and $13,107, respectively, in total LTIP expense, of which $19,870 and $10,301, respectively, represented stock-based compensation expense for stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, performance stock units and discounted employee stock plan purchases, which are primarily included in general and administrative expense. The estimated tax benefits recorded for stock-based compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was $2,584 and $1,495, respectively.

As of March 31, 2020, the Company had $247,420 in total estimated but unrecognized stock-based compensation expense under the Company’s equity compensation and employee stock purchase plans. The Company expects to recognize this expense over a weighted average remaining period of 1.7 years. The Company no longer has outstanding long-term performance-based cash awards in its principal U.S. dialysis business as the performance and accrual period for these awards ended December 31, 2019 with a final payout of $66,302 in 2020.

For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $199 and $151, respectively, in actual tax benefits upon the settlement of stock awards.

On November 4, 2019, the independent members of the Company’s Board of Directors (Board) approved an award of 2,500 premium-priced stock-settled stock appreciation rights (Premium-Priced Award) to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), which award was subject to stockholder approval of a related amendment to the Company's 2011 Incentive Award Plan (2011 Plan). The Company's stockholders approved such amendment to the 2011 Plan on January 23, 2020, authorizing the grant to the Company's CEO. Since stockholder approval occurred in 2020, subsequent to the Board approval, this award had both a service inception and grant date of January 23, 2020 for accounting purposes.

The base price of the Premium-Priced Award is $67.80 per share, which is a 20% premium to the clearing price of the Company's 2019 modified Dutch auction tender offer. The award vests 50% on each of November 4, 2022 and November 4, 2023, and expires on November 4, 2024. The award includes a requirement that the CEO hold any shares acquired upon exercise of this award, net of shares used to cover related taxes, until November 4, 2024 (that is, for the full term of the award), subject to lapse of the holding period upon a change in control of the Company or due to the CEO's death or termination due to disability.