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Stock-based Compensation
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2024
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Stock-based Compensation Stock-based Compensation
The Company has a stock-based compensation plan (the “Stock Plan”) that allows for the grant of common stock of the Company to members of management, key executives and non-employee directors. The fair value of such awards is based on the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, and all are classified as equity awards.
Management Performance Awards
Certain restricted stock grants are made to management under the Stock Plan ("Performance Awards"). Historically the Company granted awards to management each December based on the achievement of certain annual financial performance and other criteria achieved during the previous fiscal year. These grants were based on a percentage of the employee’s base salary divided by the stock price on the grant date once the performance criteria were met, and generally vested over a two-year period as service was provided. During December 2023, 36,127 shares of stock with a per share price of $19.57 were granted to management for fiscal year 2023 performance, resulting in total compensation expense of approximately $707,000, with $293,000 recognized in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, and the balance will be recognized over the next two years as the shares vest.
During April 2024, 4,330 shares of stock with a weighted average per share price of $19.49 were granted to management and vested upon issuance. The related compensation expense of $84,000 was recognized upon vesting. During May 2024, 35,779 shares of stock with a per share price of $20.07 were granted to management. The related compensation expense of approximately $718,000 will be recognized over three years as the shares vest.
In May 2024, the Company entered into Performance Share-Based Agreements with members of management whereby the employees may be granted common stock in the future based on the achievement of certain long-term performance goals. The Company recorded $197,000 of stock compensation expense related to these awards during the nine months ended July 31, 2024.
18. Stock-based Compensation (continued)
Executive Awards
Certain restricted stock grants are made to key executives under the Stock Plan (“Executive Awards”). These grants generally vest over a three-year period as service is provided. During November 2023, the Company granted 53,078 shares of stock with a per share price of $14.13 to key executives. The related compensation expense of approximately $750,000 will be recognized equally over the next three years as the shares vest.
In fiscal year 2022, the Company entered into Retention Bonus Agreements with key executives (collectively, the “Retention Bonus Agreements”) whereby the executives will be eligible to receive cash and restricted stock grants. During December 2023, the Company granted 12,709 shares of stock with a per share price of $19.57 to key executives related to the Retention Bonus Agreements. The related compensation expense of approximately $249,000 had $115,000 recognized in the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023, and the balance will be recognized over the next year as the shares vest. During June 2024, the Company granted 40,926 shares of stock with a per share price of $20.36. The related compensation expense of approximately $833,000 will be recognized over the next year as the shares vest.
In November 2023, the Company entered into Performance Share-Based Award Agreements with key executives whereby the executives may be granted common stock in the future based on the achievement of certain long-term performance goals. The Company recorded $292,000 of stock compensation expense related to these awards during the nine months ended July 31, 2024.
Director Awards
Certain restricted stock grants are made to non-employee directors under the Stock Plan on an annual basis that generally vest after a one-year period (“Director Awards”). During January 2024, 609 shares of stock were granted as Director Awards with a per share price of $20.37. During March 2024, an additional 26,478 shares of stock were granted as Director Awards with a per share price of $19.26.
Exchange of Common Stock
During the nine months ended July 31, 2024 and 2023, members of management exchanged 99,167 and 1,594 shares of common stock with fair values totaling $1,835,000 and $26,000, respectively, at the dates of the exchanges, for the payment of payroll taxes associated with the vesting of shares under the Stock Plan.