•稀釋: Paying market competitive compensation results in higher dilution for us than for the companies in the Comparator Group. Our market capitalization was in the 2日 percentile, and our outstanding share count was approximately 57% of the median number of the outstanding shares most recently reported of the Comparator Group. When we pay at the competitive levels we believe are needed to attract and retain talent, our relatively low market capitalization requires us to utilize more shares to deliver the same value of competitive compensation and results in higher dilution. We are executing a new multi-year strategy and an inability to attract and retain talent if we cannot pay competitive levels of equity for our executive officers and senior leadership could impact our ability to realize the benefits of this strategy. Additionally, as described in more detail below, we are taking into consideration our stockholders’ dilution concerns and planning to pay cash-based awards below senior leadership this year.
•燒錢速度: Our PSU grants for the five most recently completed performance periods (beginning with fiscal 2024) have paid out at 45%, 54%, 99%, 24% and 5%, respectively, reflecting rigorous performance goals and demonstrating that burn rates calculated using the shares granted under PSUs have been inflated given that actual payouts have been significantly less. Further, shares withheld to cover taxes are not sold and are not recycled as available shares, resulting in a lower actual dilution than our burn rate would suggest. In fiscal 2024, shares withheld for taxes, but not sold or recycled, approximated 0.8% of our outstanding shares.
2.We have demonstrated thoughtful responsiveness to stockholder feedback in our equity plan and executive compensation program. Our executive compensation program is designed to align our executive compensation with long-term stockholder interests and the achievement of the Company’s strategic initiatives. Without the ability to pay our associates with equity, our associates’ interests will not be as aligned with our stockholders’ long-term interests, which our stockholders have told us is important to them.