What is stock-based compensation (SBC)? | Brian Feroldi posted on the topic | LinkedIn (2024)

Brian Feroldi

I demystify the stock market | Author, Speaker, Creator | 100,000+ investors read my free newsletter (see link)

  • Report this post

Stock Options vs RSUs vs ESPPWhat's the difference?All of these are forms of stock-based compensation (SBC).SBC is when a company pays its employees in equity instead of cash. If the company does well, the stock can become worth more money over time, which incentivizes the employee to help the organization succeed.TYPES OF SBC 📈𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:• WHAT: The right to buy company stock at a set price after a certain period.• RISK/REWARD: High potential gain if stock prices rise, but risky if they fall.• VESTING: Usually 1-4 years𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘀 (𝗥𝗦𝗨𝘀):• WHAT: Shares given to employees, which become fully theirs over time.• RISK/REWARD: Lower risk than options, since they have value as long as the stock does.• VESTING: Similar to options, promoting retention.𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗲𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 (𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗣𝘀):• WHAT: Allows employees to buy company stock at a discount.• RISK/REWARD: Lower risk with immediate value from discounts, though still subject to market changes.• VESTING: Shorter periods, offering quicker benefits.ADVANTAGES OF SBC:• Potential for High Returns• Alignment of Interests• Tax Benefits• Wealth Building• Employee Retention• Cash Conservation for CompanyDISADVANTAGES OF SBC:• Risk of Decrease in Value• Complexity and Understanding• Lack of Diversification• Market Fluctuations• Liquidity Issues• Tax ComplicationsVesting is the process by which an individual earns the right to a future benefit, typically shares of stock or rights to a pension, over a certain period of time or upon meeting certain conditions. Follow me Brian Feroldi for more content like this.If you found this post useful, please repost ♻️ to share with your audience.

  • What is stock-based compensation (SBC)? | Brian Feroldi posted on the topic | LinkedIn (2)

179

28 Comments

Like Comment

Gary Jain 🚀

3w

  • Report this comment

When it comes to stock compensation, you have options like stock options, RSUs, and ESPPs. Each has its differences and benefits, but they all aim to reward you for contributing to company success. Which option do you use, Brian Feroldi?

Like Reply

1Reaction 2Reactions

Dave Ahern

Helping Simplifying Finance | 17k+investors read our free Nuggets (see link)

3w

  • Report this comment

Great explanation of a complicated topic. I like to read the proxy statement to see how management is compensated, reveals so much about the company and managements incentives.

Like Reply

1Reaction 2Reactions

Jeetain Kumar, FMVA®, FPWM™

CFA® L-1 Candidate || Certified FMVA® || Certified CBCA® || FPWM™ Professional || ESG & Macabacus Specialist ||MBA in Core Finance & Financial Consulting (KPMG) || Graduated in Aerospace Engineering

3w

  • Report this comment

Stock options are one of the best options for employees to choose their fair share of amount to give for long-term opportunities to invest in company shares to get hedged for inflation and tax exemption.

Like Reply

2Reactions 3Reactions

Amit Kumar

Fractional CFO & Founder | Leveraging AI for Advanced FP&A Strategies | Driving Business Growth with Smart Finance Solutions | Innovator in Tech-Driven Financial Leadership

3w

  • Report this comment

That's true Brian, it's essential to understand their differences and the potential risks and rewards associated with each type of stock-based compensation.

Like Reply

1Reaction 2Reactions

Like Reply

1Reaction 2Reactions

Brian Stoffel

I demystify the stock market | Investor, Financial Educator, Creator | 100,000+ investors read my free newsletter (see link)

3w

  • Report this comment

Awesome Brian Feroldi! This can help readers pick the best SBC option for their situation.

Like Reply

1Reaction 2Reactions

Financial Modeling Prep

3w

  • Report this comment

You have differentiated it aptly. As a finance enthusiast I'm sure you would love our services.FMP provides fast, accurate, and developer-friendly financial market data through our user-friendly API.- Affordable pricing- Coverage of 70K+ securities across 46 countries with over 30 years of data history.- Includes standardized and as-reported fundamentals, real-time market data, ESG ratings, ETFs and Mutual Fund Holdings, and more.

Like Reply

1Reaction

Long Term Mindset

3w

  • Report this comment

Employees should always opt for RSUs whenever possible. They have little downside and still lots of upside.

Like Reply

1Reaction 2Reactions

The Financeer

2w

  • Report this comment

In-depth comparison of SBC mechanisms. It's clear that each type offers distinct incentives and risks tailored to different corporate strategies and employee risk appetites. A nuanced understanding of these can significantly impact both employee engagement and financial outcomes.

Like Reply

1Reaction

Leopold Grassin

Managing partner PowerPoint presentation design agency

3w

  • Report this comment

Understanding the different types of stock-based compensation is essential for maximizing employee benefits.

Like Reply

1Reaction

See more comments

To view or add a comment, sign in

More Relevant Posts

  • Agustin M. Recabarren

    Director of Finance @TrueNorth | CPA, Corporate Finance & Accounting Expert in the IT Industry & StartUps | SaaS

    • Report this post

    Understanding the different types of stock-based compensation is essential to navigating today's job market. This informative post clearly explains the key options, providing valuable insights for both employees and employers. Don't miss out on this indispensable knowledge!

    2

    Like Comment

    To view or add a comment, sign in

  • Andrew Tudor, CFP®, CAP

    Investment & Retirement Specialist | Helping Non-Profits Invest With Impact

    • Report this post

    5 Tips for Employees with Equity Compensation 💡 Tip #2 - Know What Type of Stock Options You Have 📚Navigating the stock options landscape? Let's delve deeper into the three primary types: 🌍Non-qualified Stock Options (NSOs) 📊: NSOs are the most common type of stock options. They are taxed as ordinary income when exercised. The difference between the stock's current value and the strike price (the "spread") becomes taxable income. NSOs are typically offered to a broader range of employees.Incentive Stock Options (ISOs) 💹: ISOs come with tax advantages. When exercised, they aren't subject to ordinary income tax. Instead, they're taxed at the capital gains rate, but only when you sell the stock. Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) 📈: RSUs are company shares that vest over time. They're not actual shares until they vest, at which point you own them outright. RSUs are taxed as ordinary income based on the stock's value when they vest.Understanding the nuances of each type is crucial for optimizing your financial strategy and making the most of your equity compensation. Knowledge is the first step to maximizing your benefits! 🚀(Full Guide in the first comment) 📘#StockOptions #NSOs #ISOs #RSUs #FinancialStrategy

    8

    1 Comment

    Like Comment

    To view or add a comment, sign in

  • Buckingham Strategic Wealth

    8,340 followers

    • Report this post

    To retain top talent, some organizations issue restricted stock units (RSUs) to their highest performers. While the potential of extra income is exciting, it’s important to understand what RSUs entail and how to maximize their benefit. Wealth Advisor Alyssum Malone, CFP®, BFA™ shares important considerations to get the most out of your stocks.

    Demystifying Restricted Stock Units: A Guide to Your Organization’s… buckinghamstrategicwealth.com

    6

    Like Comment

    To view or add a comment, sign in

  • Zachary Motl, CFP®, ChFC®

    Financial Advisor

    • Report this post

    RSU's (restricted stock units) and other equity based compensation has become more and more popular. Knowing how they operate as well as how you should manage them is key to unlocking their potential. From vesting schedules to tax implications to proper diversification of your investments there are numerous considerations and strategies that should be taken into account. RSU's can do tons of great things such as:1. Alignment of interests between both employees and employers.2. Allow room for growth, if the company does well so do you.3. Automatic investing, even once they are vested until you sell them you own a part of the company. If the company grows so does your money.4. Increased compensation compared to what you might receive if only getting cash compensation.There are also some negatives to RSU's as well:1. Market volatility can cause the value of those RSU's to fluctuate and potentially cause less predictable income or tax considerations.2. Risk of complete loss. There are a few ways you may not receive this compensation. If you leave your company before the vesting schedule any unvested stock will be given back to the business. Or if the company you work for where to file bankruptcy then the shares would be worthless.3. Unwanted taxes. RSU's create an ordinary income tax as soon as they vest which you may have to pay in when you file your taxes. If the stock appreciates after it vests you may also have capital gains tax upon the sale of that stock.4. A large accumulation of RSU's can over concentrate one's investment in a single company. This can be mitigated by making investments in other areas or selling some of your RSU's to reposition into other opportunities so you ensure not to take on too much unsystematic risk.With all things in mind equity compensation is great for both the business and the employee. The key to it however is understanding it can be more complex than other forms of compensation and should therefore be managed with an increased level of care and intentionality.

    5

    1 Comment

    Like Comment

    To view or add a comment, sign in

  • Buckingham Strategic Partners

    3,349 followers

    • Report this post

    To retain top talent, some organizations issue restricted stock units (RSUs) to their highest performers. While the potential of extra income is exciting, it’s important to understand what RSUs entail and how to maximize their benefit.

    Demystifying Restricted Stock Units: A Guide to Your Organization’s Compensation Program https://buckinghamstrategicpartners.com

    7

    Like Comment

    To view or add a comment, sign in

  • Kaitlyn Knopp

    Compensation Expert | Founder @ Pequity

    • Report this post

    High-level explanations from Pequity on common stock/equity questions - mainly around types of stocks, what we've see with taxes, and why the a crazy high fundraise may not be good for you as an employee.#equity #comp #comptech #compensation #hr #hrtech #humanresources #software #stock #options #rsus #vesting #ISOs #NSOs #PSUs #units #education #blog

    20

    2 Comments

    Like Comment

    To view or add a comment, sign in

  • Pequity

    3,425 followers

    • Report this post

    https://lnkd.in/gYBdun9BEver felt like your stock program is a mystery? Pequity helps make it make sense in our newest blog post.1️⃣ 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝘆: Understand Options, RSUs, and PSUs to make smart choices.2️⃣ 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Different stocks, different taxes. Get clarity to avoid surprises.3️⃣ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: A high valuation isn't always a win. Learn why.#Equity #Investment #FinancialWisdom #CareerTips #StockProgram #Compensation #Totalcompensation #HRresources

    The True Value of Equity: 3 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Your Stock Program blog.pequity.com

    19

    Like Comment

    To view or add a comment, sign in

  • James Underwood, CPA, CFP®

    Financial Planner who is a CFP(R) Professional and CPA that focuses on helping clients create simplicity out of complexity and saving money on taxes.

    • Report this post

    While being awarded restricted stock units (RSUs) by your organization is exciting, it can come with risks and tax implications. Our team shares important considerations to get the most benefit from your stocks.

    Demystifying Restricted Stock Units: A Guide to Your Organization’s Compensation Program https://buckinghamstrategicpartners.com

    1

    Like Comment

    To view or add a comment, sign in

  • Astrella by EQ

    1,278 followers

    • Report this post

    Employee Equity and Management - Stock Options vs. RSUs: What’s the Difference?Ever asked about Restricted Stock Units and what they are? Decoding the puzzle of employee equity? Understand the difference between Stock Options and RSUs with our comprehensive guide. Stock options give employees the right to buy shares at a fixed price, while RSUs are granted outright upon vesting—each with unique tax considerations. Make informed decisions about your compensation strategy. Discover which equity compensation aligns with your company’s vision and your employees’ success. Read our full analysis for insights on navigating these crucial investment choices.#EquityCompensation #StockOptions #RSUshttps://lnkd.in/dbwg6aHh

    • What is stock-based compensation (SBC)? | Brian Feroldi posted on the topic | LinkedIn (42)

    6

    Like Comment

    To view or add a comment, sign in

  • Heena Khan

    Financial Advisor

    • Report this post

    What is the equity market? How do I invest in stocks?The equity market, also known as the stock market or share market, is a platform where stocks and shares of publicly traded companies are bought and sold. It is a crucial part of the financial system, providing companies with a means to raise capital and investors with an opportunity to own a portion of those companies.Investing in stocks involves purchasing ownership stakes (shares) in companies, which entitles you to a portion of their profits and assets. If the company performs well and its value increases, the value of your shares may also rise, allowing you to potentially earn a profit when you sell them.Here are the basic steps to invest in stocks:1. Educate Yourself: Before investing, it's important to understand how the stock market works and the associated risks. There are numerous books, online courses, and resources available to help you grasp the basics of investing.2. Set Financial Goals: Determine your investment objectives, whether it's saving for retirement, buying a house, or simply growing your wealth. Your goals will influence your investment strategy.3. Create a Budget: Assess your financial situation and set aside money you can afford to invest. Make sure you have an emergency fund in place before you start investing.4. Choose a Brokerage Account: To buy and sell stocks, you'll need a brokerage account. There are various online brokers available that offer different features and fee structures. Choose one that suits your needs and preferences.5. Research Companies: Decide which companies you want to invest in by researching their financial performance, business model, industry trends, and future prospects. Look for companies that align with your investment goals.6. Diversification: It's advisable to diversify your portfolio by investing in different companies and industries. Diversification can help reduce risk and balance out potential losses.7. Decide on the Type of Order: When you're ready to buy a stock, you can place either a market order (buy at the current market price) or a limit order (set a specific price at which you are willing to buy).8. Monitor and Review: Keep track of your investments regularly, staying informed about the performance of the companies you've invested in and the overall market conditions.9. Stay Disciplined: Investing in the stock market involves ups and downs. Stay disciplined and avoid making impulsive decisions based on short-term market fluctuations.

    Like Comment

    To view or add a comment, sign in

What is stock-based compensation (SBC)? | Brian Feroldi posted on the topic | LinkedIn (46)

What is stock-based compensation (SBC)? | Brian Feroldi posted on the topic | LinkedIn (47)

134,758 followers

  • 3000+ Posts

View Profile

Follow

Explore topics

  • Sales
  • Marketing
  • Business Administration
  • HR Management
  • Content Management
  • Engineering
  • Soft Skills
  • See All
What is stock-based compensation (SBC)? | Brian Feroldi posted on the topic | LinkedIn (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6697

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-03-23

Address: 74183 Thomas Course, Port Micheal, OK 55446-1529

Phone: +13408645881558

Job: Global Representative

Hobby: Sailing, Vehicle restoration, Rowing, Ghost hunting, Scrapbooking, Rugby, Board sports

Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.