Under its executive stock option plan, N Corporation granted options on January 1, 2021, that permit executives to purchase 12.0 million of the company's $1 par common shares within the next eight years, but not before December 31, 2023 (the vesting date). The exercise price is the market price of the shares on the date of grant, $19 per share. The fair value of the options, estimated by an appropriate option pricing model, is $4 per option. No forfeitures are anticipated. Ignoring taxes, what is the effect on earnings in the year after the options are granted to executives

N. Corporation

The effect on earnings in the year after the options are granted to executives is a reduction in the net income by $16 million because of the Compensation Expense that will be recorded.

The journal entry on December 31, 2021 (a year after) is:

Debit Compensation Expense $16,000,000

Credit Stock Options $16,000,000

To record compensation expense.

Explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

Options grant date = January 1, 2021

Options granted = 12.0 million shares

Options vesting date = December 31, 2023

There are 3 years before the vesting date

Fair value of the options = $4

Therefore, Total Compensation Expense = Options granted*Fair value per option

= 12,000,000 * $4

= $48,000,000

Annual compensation expense from 2021 to 2023 = $48,000,000/3

= $16,000,000

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