10. Stock-Based Compensation

 

From time to time, we issue stock options and restricted stock as compensation for services rendered by our directors and employees.

 

Restricted Stock

 

On March 28, 2025, we granted 73,000 shares of restricted common stock to certain employees. The grants of restricted common stock were made in accordance with the 2015 Plan and 2024 Plan and were subject to vesting, as follows: 24,327 shares vested on March 28, 2025; 24,327 shares vest on March 28, 2026, and 24,346 shares vest on March 28, 2027. As of March 28, 2025, 6,872 shares, representing an amount of $83,299, were surrendered to the Company by grant recipients in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations, and subsequently cancelled.

 

On March 19, 2024, we granted 127,500 shares of restricted common stock to certain employees. The grants of restricted common stock were made in accordance with the 2015 Plan and were subject to vesting, as follows: 42,495 shares vested on March 19, 2024; 42,495 shares vest on April 2, 2025, and 42,510 shares vest on April 2, 2026. As of April 2, 2025, 12,599 shares, representing an amount of $179,925, were surrendered to the Company by grant recipients in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations, and subsequently cancelled. As of April 2, 2024, 10,315 shares, representing an amount of $69,526 were surrendered to the Company by grant recipients in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations, and subsequently cancelled.

 

Stock compensation is being recognized over the vesting period. For the year ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, $895,433 and $805,955, respectively, was recorded on the issuance of the common stock.

 

 

Stock Options

 

On June 21, 2025, we granted non-employee directors stock options to purchase 27,000 shares at an exercise price of $12.88 per share under the 2023 Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan. The options fully vested upon grant. The total fair value of $246,282 for these stock options was recognized as expense upon grant.

 

The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during the twelve months ended December 31, 2025 was $9.12. The assumptions that were used in calculating such values, were based on estimates at the grant date in the table as follows:

Schedule of Estimated Values of Stock Option Grants Valuation Assumptions 

   Grant Date
June 21, 2025
 
Risk-free interest rate   3.96%
Expected term   5 years 
Expected volatility   88.39%
Expected dividend yield   0.00%

 

On August 16, 2024, we granted non-employee directors stock options to purchase 36,000 shares at an exercise price of $8.78 per share, the fair market value of the shares on the grant date, under the 2023 Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan, with 100% vesting upon grant. The total fair value of $241,735 for these stock options was recognized upon grant. On September 4, 2024, we granted employees stock options to purchase 14,500 shares at an exercise price of $10.12 per share, the fair market value of the shares on the grant date, under the 2015 Plan, with annual vesting through 2027 based on service time. The total fair value of $118,347 for these stock options is being recognized over the vesting period.

 

The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 was $7.13. The assumptions that were used in calculating such values, were based on estimates at the grant date in the table as follows:

 

   Grant Date
August 16, 2024
   Grant Date
September 4, 2024
 
Risk-free interest rate   3.77%   3.61%
Weighted average expected term   5 years     6 years 
Expected volatility   100.97%   101.00%
Expected dividend yield   0.00%   0.00%

 

A summary of stock option activity during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 is as follows:

 

            Weighted- 
        Weighted-   Average 
        Average   Remaining 
    Shares   Exercise   Contractual 
    Under Option   Price   Life 
Outstanding at January 1, 2025    374,411   $6.22    7 years 
Granted    27,000    12.88      
Exercised    (37,488)   5.13      
Forfeited    (1,700)   10.12      
Outstanding at December 31, 2025    362,233   $6.81    6 years 
                 
Exercisable at December 31, 2025    353,647   $6.73    6 years 

 

            Weighted- 
        Weighted-   Average 
        Average   Remaining 
    Shares   Exercise   Contractual 
    Under Option   Price   Life 
Outstanding at January 1, 2024    357,887   $5.69    8 years 
Granted    50,500    9.16      
Exercised    (29,976)   5.07      
Forfeited    (4,000)   4.63      
Outstanding at December 31, 2024    374,411   $6.22    7 years 
                 
Exercisable at December 31, 2024    284,912   $6.06    7 years 

 

 

During the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, stock-based compensation for options was $391,809 and $690,819, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, there was $71,717 and $213,247, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation costs related to stock options granted under our stock option agreements. The unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of one year. The total fair value of stock options that vested during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 was $671,524 and $696,620, respectively.

 

Issues of Stock Option Compensation

 

The following represent grants of stock options, including the fair value recognized or to be recognized over the requisite service period:

 

Grant date  Shares granted
(canceled)
   Exercise price   Date fully vested   Fair value 
                 
February 10, 2016   4,200   $48.00    February 10, 2020   $174,748 
December 6, 2016   2,000    38.00    December 6, 2020    63,937 
September 25, 2017   15,000    15.00    September 25, 2019    194,149 
September 25, 2017   10,000    19.00    September 25, 2019    126,862 
January 30, 2019   250    45.00    January 30, 2019    885 
March 11, 2019   (33,200)   -    -    - 
March 11, 2019   33,200    6.50    December 6, 2020    24,898(1)
March 11, 2019   10,100    6.50    March 11, 2023    44,591 
September 2, 2020   99,000    4.00    September 2, 2024    327,181 
April 14, 2022   220,587    6.08    April 14, 2025    1,152,470 
August 16, 2024   36,000    8.78    August 16, 2024    241,735 
September 4, 2024   14,500    10.12    September 4, 2027    118,347 
June 21, 2025   27,000    12.88    June 21, 2025    246,282 

 

  (1) Represents incremental fair value of replacement shares compared to canceled shares.

 

 

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Mar 30, 2026Showing above
2024Mar 24, 2025
2023Mar 28, 2024
2022Mar 27, 2023
2021Mar 24, 2022
2017Apr 2, 2018

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.