Alamo Group (ALG)

Stock-Based Compensation

  Prior to January 1, 2006, we recognized compensation cost for share-based awards based on the minimum value taking into account the exercise price of the option and the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Effective January 1, 2006, we began using the modified-prospective transition method.  However, for unvested equity awards outstanding as of the date of January 1, 2006, we continue to amortize those awards using the minimum value method.  Beginning January 1, 2006 measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors is recognized based on estimated fair values.  We use the Black-Scholes pricing model to determine the fair value of the stock options on the grant dates for stock awards made on or after January 1, 2006, and we amortize the fair value of share-based payments on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the award, which is generally the vesting period.

      The Black-Scholes valuation model requires us to make assumptions and judgments about the variables used in the calculation. These variables and assumptions include the fair value of our common stock, expected term, the expected volatility, the risk-free interest rate, expected dividends, and the estimated rate of forfeitures of unvested stock options. 

       The Company calculated the fair value for options using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for 2009, 2008, and 2007:

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Stock-Based Compensation

      The Company has granted options to purchase its common stock to employees and directors of the Company and its affiliates under various stock option plans at no less than the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant.  These options are granted for a term not exceeding ten years and are forfeited in the event the employee or director terminates, other than by retirement, his or her employment or relationship with the Company or one of its affiliates.  These options generally vest over five years.  All option plans contain anti-dilutive provisions that permit an adjustment of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock represented by each option for any change in capitalization.

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      The Company accounts for share based compensation in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (“Statement 123(R)”).  The fair value of the options are estimated using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model and are amortized to expense over the options’ vesting period.  Prior to adoption of Statement 123(R) on January 1, 2006, the Company accounted for share based payments under the recognition and measurement provisions of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees (“APB 25”), and related Interpretations, as permitted by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (“Statement 123”).  The Company did not recognize employee compensation cost related to its stock option grants in its Consolidated Statement of Income prior to adoption of Statement 123(R), as all options granted had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Under the modified-prospective-transition method, compensation cost recognized beginning in 2006 includes: (a) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of Statement 123, and (b) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of Statement 123(R). 

      The Company’s stock-based compensation expense was $563,000 and $650,000 for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

      Prior to the adoption of Statement 123(R), the Company presented all tax benefits of deductions resulting from the exercise of stock options as operating cash flows in the Statement of Cash Flows.  Statement 123(R) requires the cash flows resulting from the tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options (excess tax benefits) to be classified as financing cash flows.

      For purposes of this disclosure, the value of the options is estimated using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model and amortized to expense over the options’ vesting periods.  The Company calculated the fair value for these options using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weight average assumptions for 2008, 2007, and 2006:

6.  Stock-Based Compensation

      The Company has granted options to purchase its common stock to employees and directors of the Company and its affiliates under various stock option plans at no less than the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant.  These options are granted for a term not exceeding ten years and are forfeited in the event the employee or director terminates, other than retirement, his or her employment or relationship with the Company or one of its affiliates.  These options generally vest over five years.  All option plans contain anti-dilutive provisions that permit an adjustment of the number of shares of the Company's common stock represented by each option for any change in capitalization.

      The Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment ("Statement 123(R)"), on January 1, 2006, using the modified-prospective-transition method.  The fair value of the options are estimated using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model and amortized to expense over the options' vesting period.  Prior to adoption of Statement 123(R), the Company accounted for share based payments under the recognition and measurement provisions of APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees ("APB 25"), and related Interpretations, as permitted by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation ("Statement 123").  The Company did not recognize employee compensation cost related to its stock option grants in its Consolidated Statement of Operations prior to adoption of Statement 123(R), as all options granted had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Under the modified-prospective-transition method, compensation cost recognized beginning in 2006 includes: (a) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted prior to, but not yet vested as of January 1, 2006, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of Statement 123, and (b) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to January 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of Statement 123(R).  Results for prior periods have not been restated.

      As a result of adopting Statement 123(R), the Company's stock-based compensation expense was $131,000 for the first quarter of 2007 and $112,000 for the first quarter of 2006.

      Prior to the adoption of Statement 123(R), the Company presented all tax benefits of deductions resulting from the exercise of stock options as operating cash flows in the Statement of Cash Flows.  Statement 123(R) requires the cash flows resulting from the tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options (excess tax benefits) to be classified as financing cash flows.

      For purposes of this disclosure, the value of the options is estimated using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model and amortized to expense over the options' vesting periods.    The Company calculated the fair value for these options using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for 2007 and 2006: