Compensation Expense Related to Equity Based Awards
The following table summarizes compensation cost related to equity based awards for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands):
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Compensation cost of equity based awards:
 
 
 
 
 
Unvested and restricted share awards
$
17,334

 
$
19,415

 
$
18,087

Executive share-based awards
4,953

 
3,027

 
3,416

Incentive awards
1,189

 
798

 
1,289

Total compensation cost of equity based awards
23,476

 
23,240

 
22,792

Related tax benefits
(4,068
)
 
(5,783
)
 
(8,576
)
Compensation cost of equity based awards, net of tax
$
19,408

 
$
17,457

 
$
14,216


Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2019Feb 28, 2020Showing above
2018Feb 27, 2019

About Stock Compensation Disclosures

Stock-based compensation disclosures detail the equity awards granted to employees and executives — including stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), and performance shares — along with the valuation methods and assumptions used to expense them. This section reveals the true cost of talent retention and the alignment between management incentives and shareholder interests.

Key signals: total unrecognized compensation expense and its expected recognition period signal future earnings headwinds from already-granted awards. For stock options, examine Black-Scholes assumptions — expected volatility, risk-free rate, and expected term — as understating any of these reduces reported compensation expense. Compare stock compensation expense as a percentage of revenue against peers to assess dilution cost. Watch vesting schedules for acceleration clauses tied to change-of-control events. Performance-based awards with undemanding targets may indicate weak governance. Add back stock compensation to operating cash flow to calculate a more conservative free cash flow figure.