Stock-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2022

Note 6 — Stock-Based Compensation

We have stock-based compensation plans under which employees may be granted performance-based stock awards, other restricted stock awards and options. We recognize the grant date fair value of stock-based compensation in net income on a straight-line basis, net of estimated forfeitures over the requisite service period. The measurement of performance for performance-based stock awards is based on actual financial results for targets established up to three years in advance, or less. For the three and nine months ended January 31, 2022, we recognized stock-based compensation expense, on a pretax basis, of $6.3 million and $19.4 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended January 31, 2021, we recognized stock-based compensation expense, on a pretax basis, of $5.6 million and $14.7 million, respectively.

Performance-Based and Other Restricted Stock Activity

Under the terms of our long-term incentive plans, performance-based restricted unit awards are payable in restricted shares of our Class A Common Stock upon the achievement of certain three-year or less financial performance-based targets. During each three-year period or less, we adjust compensation expense based upon our best estimate of expected performance.

We may also grant individual restricted unit awards payable in restricted shares of our Class A Common Stock to key employees in connection with their employment.

The following table summarizes awards we granted to employees (shares in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended January 31,
	2022		2021
Restricted Stock:
Awards granted (shares)		653		691
Weighted average fair value of grant	$	57.00	$	41.26

Stock Option Activity

During the nine months ended January 31, 2022, we granted 290,000 stock option awards. Options are exercisable over a maximum period of ten years from the date of grant. For the nine months ended January 31, 2022, options generally vest 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% on April 30, or on each anniversary date after the award is granted.

The following table provides the estimated weighted average fair value for options granted during the nine months ended January 31, 2022 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, and the significant weighted average assumptions used in their determination.

	Nine Months Ended January 31, 2022
Weighted average fair value of options on grant date	$	11.72

Weighted average assumptions:
Expected life of options (years)		6.3
Risk-free interest rate		1.2	%
Expected volatility		30.7	%
Expected dividend yield		2.4	%
Fair value of common stock on grant date	$	56.66
Exercise price of stock option grant	$	62.18

Prior to the above stock option grants in the nine months ended January 31, 2022, we did not grant any stock option awards since the year ended April 30, 2016. As of April 30, 2019, all outstanding stock options vested allowing the participant the right to exercise their awards, and there was no unrecognized share-based compensation expense remaining related to those stock options.