Restricted stock units; cash settlement
Response to the following problem:
As part of its stock-based compensation package, on January 1, 2016, International Electronics granted restricted stock units (RSUs) representing 50 million $1 par common shares. At exercise, holders of the RSUs are entitled to receive cash or stock equal in value to the market price of those shares at exercise. The RSUs cannot be exercised until the end of 2019 (vesting date) and expire at the end of 2021. The $1 par common shares have a market price of $6 per share on the grant date. The fair value at December 31, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020, is $8, $6, $8, $5, and $6, respectively. All recipients are expected to remain employed through the vesting date.
Required:
1. Prepare the appropriate journal entry to record the award of RSUs on January 1, 2016.
2. Prepare the appropriate journal entries pertaining to the RSUs on December 31, 2016-December 31, 2019.
3. The RSUs remain unexercised on December 31, 2020. Prepare the appropriate journal entry on that date.
4. The RSUs are exercised on June 6, 2021, when the share price is $6.50, and executives choose to receive cash. Prepare the appropriate journal entry(s) on that date.
After the recipients of the RSUs satisfy the vesting requirement, the company will distribute the shares.