(4)   Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has granted to certain of its directors, employees and employees of its subsidiaries, stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), restricted stock, performance-based restricted stock units and options to purchase shares of Liberty common stock (collectively, "Awards"). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an equity classified Award (such as stock options and restricted stock) based on the grant-date fair value of the Award, and recognizes that cost over the period during which the employee is required to provide service (usually the vesting period of the Award). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for a liability classified Award (such as SARs that will be settled in cash) based on the current fair value of the Award, and remeasures the fair value of the Award at each reporting date.

Included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations are $29 million and $26 million of stock-based compensation during the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $44 million and $51 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2015, Liberty granted 2.0 million options to QVC employees to purchase shares of Series A QVC Group common stock.  Such options had a weighted average grant-date fair value of $11.87 per share and vest semi-annually over 4 years.

Also during the six months ended June 30, 2015, Liberty granted to Liberty employees 2.3 million and 652 thousand options to purchase shares of Series A QVC Group common stock and Series A Liberty Ventures common stock, respectively.  Such options had a weighted average grant-date fair value of $11.79 and $18.27 per share, respectively, and each grant contains options that vest over two different periods, annually over three years and 50% on each of December 31, 2019 and 2020.  

In connection with our CEO’s employment agreement, Liberty also granted 132 thousand and 135 thousand performance-based options of Series B QVC Group common stock and Series B Liberty Ventures common stock, respectively, and 182 thousand and 13 thousand performance-based restricted stock units of Series B QVC Group common stock and Series B Liberty Ventures common stock, respectively.  Such options had a weighted average grant-date fair value of $10.10 per share and $17.16 per share, respectively. The restricted stock units had a weighted average grant-date fair value of $29.41 per share and $42.33 per share, respectively. The options and restricted stock units cliff vest in one year, subject to satisfaction of certain performance objectives.

The Company has calculated the grant-date fair value for all of its equity classified Awards and any subsequent remeasurement of its liability classified Awards using the Black-Scholes Model. The Company estimates the expected term of the Awards based on historical exercise and forfeiture data. The volatility used in the calculation for Awards is based on the historical volatility of Liberty's stock and the implied volatility of publicly traded Liberty options. The Company uses a zero dividend rate and the risk-free rate for Treasury Bonds with a term similar to that of the subject options.

Liberty—Outstanding Awards

The following tables present the number and weighted average exercise price ("WAEP") of the Awards to purchase QVC Group and Liberty Ventures common stock granted to certain officers, employees and directors of the Company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of June 30, 2015, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Awards was approximately $121 million. Such amount will be recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 2.8 years.

Other

Certain of the Company's other subsidiaries have stock based compensation plans under which employees and non-employees are granted options or similar stock based awards. Awards made under these plans vest and become exercisable over various terms. The awards and compensation recorded, if any, under these plans is not significant to Liberty.