Employee stock options and restricted stock units are collectively discussed under the umbrella of equity compensation. As equity compensation, they have some similarities. Yet they also have a lot of differences. It is these differences that are reviewed and highlighted in this article.
Non-qualified stock options and incentive stock options are the two types of employee stock options that you may receive as part of your compensation package. While they have some similarities, they also differ, particularly when speaking to how they may be taxed at exercise and upon the final sale of stock.
Some employers may allow you to choose how you receive your equity compensation. They may allow you to receive it all in NQSOs or all in RSUs or they may allow you to…
Employee stock options are a powerful tool for businesses to provide an incentive for key employees and those who contribute to a company’s success. Stock options give you the right to purchase shares of stock at a predetermined price within a certain period of time...
Even if you don’t have plans to leave anytime soon, it’s not unreasonable to consider what happens to your employee stock options when you no longer work for your current employer. Whether due to a planned retirement after a long career, a new opportunity at another...
If you have employee stock options, you’ve likely spent time considering how and when to turn the value of those options into cash proceeds you can actually use. To turn stock employee stock options into cash, you have to exercise and sell them. When you exercise,...
A stock swap can be a great strategy to use if you have employee stock options you’d like to exercise and hold. It allows you to use the fair market value (FMV) of company stock you already own to pay for the exercise cost of newly acquired employee stock option...
If you are on the receiving end of employee stock options, you might want to understand the concept of leverage, as it may have a meaningful impact on the future value of your stock. As it relates to employee stock options, leverage is illustrated by the percentage...
If you done any research on equity compensation and employee stock options, you’ve likely come across terms and phrases like “concentration risk” and “too many eggs in one basket.” You may have also read up on stories that detail how a declining stock price wiped out...
If you have employee stock options, you’ve probably spent time considering the absolute best time to exercise those options -- and from there, whether you should sell or hold your shares. Answering the question of “when” -- when to exercise, and when to sell -- is...
Whether you’re just getting started or expanding your knowledge, here are some resources to get you started.
Understand what you have, what you should consider, and what ultimately matters to you.
I write about equity compensation and employee stock options in a way that is easy to understand.
Understand what you have, what you should consider, and what ultimately matters to you.
Get the Ultimate Guide to Incentive Stock Options to better understand your equity compensation.
