Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Stock-Based Awards (Note)

v2.4.0.8
Stock-Based Awards (Note)
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]  
Stock-Based Awards
STOCK-BASED AWARDS
Stock-based compensation expense is included in the following line items in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
2014
 
2013
2014
 
2013
Selling and marketing
$
1,096

 
$
894

 
$
2,289

 
$
1,856

General and administrative
2,688

 
2,651

 
5,521

 
5,398

Stock-based compensation expense before income taxes
3,784

 
3,545

 
7,810

 
7,254

Income tax benefit
(1,386
)
 
(1,283
)
 
(2,822
)
 
(2,589
)
Stock-based compensation expense after income taxes
$
2,398

 
$
2,262

 
$
4,988

 
$
4,665

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
As of June 30, 2014, there was approximately $29.7 million of unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to all equity-based awards which is currently expected to be recognized on a straight-line basis over a weighted average period of approximately 2.4 years.
The Second Amended and Restated 2008 Stock and Annual Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”), authorizes the issuance of 8.0 million shares of HSNi common stock for new awards granted by HSNi. The purpose of the Plan is to assist HSNi in attracting, retaining and motivating officers, employees, directors and consultants, and to provide HSNi with the ability to provide incentives more directly linked to the profitability of HSNi’s business and increases in shareholder value. As of June 30, 2014, there were approximately 2.4 million shares of common stock available for grants under the Plan.
HSNi can grant restricted stock, restricted stock units ("RSUs"), stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), dividend equivalents and other stock-based awards under the Plan. Stock-based awards have a maximum term of 10 years. The exercise price of options and SARs granted under the Plan is required to be at, or above, the fair market value of HSNi’s stock on the date of grant. RSUs have rights to receive dividend equivalents that vest at the same time as the underlying RSUs once the requisite service has been rendered. HSNi elects to issue shares of its common stock for RSU vestings and SAR exercises net of the employees’ minimum tax withholding obligation. The payments made by HSNi to the taxing authorities for these taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 were $8.7 million and $11.9 million, respectively.
A summary of the stock-based awards granted during the six months ended June 30, 2014 is as follows:
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
Number of Awards Granted

Weighted Average per Share Fair Value
Stock appreciation rights
404,141


$15.17
Restricted stock units
227,830


$55.10
Employee stock purchase plan options
21,776


$12.85

The fair values of the options granted under the HSN, Inc. 2010 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and the SARs are estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The weighted average assumptions used in the valuation of each for the six months ended June 30, 2014 are as follows: 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
 
 
Black-Scholes
 
 
 
Stock Appreciation Rights
 
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Options
Volatility factor
 
 
36.4
%
 
22.1
%
Risk-free interest rate
 
 
1.54
%
 
0.09
%
Expected term
 
 
4.7

 
0.5

Dividend yield
 
 
1.8
%
 
1.6
%