Thrifty Car Rental 2006 Annual Report Download - page 70

The following table summarizes information regarding fixed non-qualified option rights that were
outstanding at December 31, 2006:
Weighted-Average Weighted- Weighted-
Range of Number Remaining Average Number Average
Exercise Outstanding Contractual Life Exercise Exercisable Exercise
Prices (In Thousands) (In Years) Price (In Thousands) Price
$10.50 - $18.3750 166 3.94 12.20$ 166 12.20$
$19.1875 - $19.375 282 3.42 19.32 282 19.32
$20.50 - $23.90 79 3.29 22.21 79 22.21
$10.50 - $23.90 527 3.56 17.51$ 527 17.51$
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
Performance Shares – Performance shares are granted to Company officers and certain key
employees. The awards granted in 2006, 2005 and 2004 established a target number of shares that
generally vest at the end of a three year requisite service period following the grant-date. The
number of performance shares ultimately earned will range from zero to 200% of the target award,
depending on the level of corporate performance over each of the three years, which is considered
the performance period. Values of the performance shares earned will be recognized as
compensation expense over the period the shares are earned. The maximum amount for which
performance shares may be granted under the LTIP during any year to any participant is 160,000
common shares. The Company recognized compensation costs of $10,082,000, $3,699,000 and
$3,705,000 in 2006, 2005 and 2004, respectively for performance shares.
For the awards granted in 2006, the expense related to performance shares is based on a market
based condition as defined in SFAS No. 123(R) for 50% of the target award and on defined
performance indicators for the other 50% of the target award. The grant-date fair value for the
performance indicator portion of the award was based on the closing market price of the Company’s
common shares at the date of grant. The market condition based portion of the award was
estimated on the date of grant using a lattice-based option valuation model and the assumptions
noted in the following table:
Weighted-average expected life (in years) 3
Expected price volatility 30.50%
Risk-free interest rate 4.54%
The target awards granted in 2005 and 2004 were valued at the closing market price of the
Company’s common shares at the date of grant.
To arrive at the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the Company’s market condition
based performance shares, as noted in the table above, the Company relies on observations of
historical trends, actual results and anticipated future changes. To determine expected volatility, the
Company examines historical volatility trends of the Company and its peers (defined as the Russell
2000 Index), as determined by an independent third party. In determining the expected term, the
Company observes the actual terms of prior grants and the actual vesting schedule of the grant.
The risk-free interest rate is the actual U.S. Treasury zero-coupon rate for bonds matching the
expected term of the award on the date of grant. The expected dividend yield was estimated based
on the Company’s current dividend yield, and adjusted for anticipated future changes.
Performance shares earned are delivered based upon vesting of the grant, provided the grantee is
then employed by the Company. For instances of retirement, involuntary termination without cause,
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