ABC expenses stock options as required by GAAP. On January 1, 2015, ABC granted 50 key executives 100 options each. Each option entitled the option holder to purchase 1 share of ABC common stock at $60 per share. The options will vest on January 1st 2018.
On the grant date, January 1st, 2015, the stock was quoted on the stock exchange at $63 per share. The fair value of the options on the grant date was estimated at $15 per option. The amounts of compensation expense ABC should recognize with respect to the options during 2015, 2016, and 2017 are:
