Stock-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2024

Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

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 generally 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 months ended July 31, 2024 and 2023, we recognized stock-based compensation expense, on a pretax basis, of $6.0 million and $6.3 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):


	Three Months Ended July 31,
	2024		2023
Restricted Stock:
Awards granted (shares)	701		789
Weighted average fair value of grant	$	42.98	$	31.54

Stock Option Activity

There were no stock option awards granted during the three months ended July 31, 2024. We granted 10,000 stock option awards during the three months ended July 31, 2023 to other leaders at fair market value on date of grant. Options are exercisable over a maximum period of ten years from the date of grant. These 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 three months ended July 31, 2023 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, and the significant weighted average assumptions used in their determination.


	Three Months Ended July 31,
	2023
Weighted average fair value of options on grant date	$	7.94

Weighted average assumptions:
Expected life of options (years)	6.3
Risk-free interest rate	3.9		%
Expected volatility	33.5		%
Expected dividend yield	4.3		%
Fair value of common stock on grant date	$	32.68
Exercise price of stock option grant	$	32.68

President and CEO New Hire Equity Awards

On July 8, 2024, the Company named Mr. Matthew Kissner President and CEO and entered into an employment agreement (Employment Agreement) with him. Mr. Kissner had served as the Company’s interim President and CEO since October 10, 2023. Under the Employment Agreement, Mr. Kissner will be eligible to participate in the Company's Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan (ELTIP), with a target long-term incentive equal to $3.0 million.

Sixty percent of the ELTIP value will be delivered in the form of target performance share units and forty percent in restricted share units. The grant date fair value for the restricted share units was $46.65 per share and included 27,192 restricted share units which vest 25% each year starting on April 30, 2025 to April 30, 2028. The grant date fair value for the performance share units was $46.65 per share and included 40,789 performance share units which vest 100% on June 30, 2027. Awards are subject to forfeiture in the case of voluntary termination prior to vesting, and continued vesting in the case of earlier termination of employment without cause or due to constructive discharge. All other terms and conditions are the same as for other executives, as outlined in the ELTIP grant agreements.