Press Release: Nokia Board of Directors approves an adjustment to the planned maximum number of Stock Options to be granted in 2012

This press release was published yesterday. It informs of the increased stock given to key senior level employees critical in carrying forward the new Nokia strategy..

Espoo, Finland – Nokia announced today that its Board of Directors authorized an adjustment to the planned maximum number of stock options it will grant in 2012 under the Nokia Stock Option Plan 2011, which was approved at the Annual General Meeting 2011.

Nokia increased the planned maximum number of stock options to be granted under the Nokia Equity Program 2012 from approximately 8.5 million to approximately 11.5 million. This adjusted planned maximum of approximately 11.5 million stock options to be granted in 2012 is within the maximum number of 35 million stock options available for grant under the Stock Option Plan 2011 approved by the Annual General Meeting 2011.

None of these additional stock options will be granted to the CEO and the Nokia Leadership Team members but rather to key senior level employees who are critical in carrying forward Nokia’s strategy. We believe this is a prudent use of stock options, also designed to align the interests of these key employees with those of the shareholders. Any realization of the value from the stock option awards is dependent on successful execution of the strategy and a sustainable share price growth over the long term.

Stock options can be granted under the Stock Option Plan 2011 until the end of 2013 and they have a vesting period of 50 percent of stock options vesting three years after grant and the remaining 50 percent vesting four years from grant.

As of December 31, 2011, the total maximum dilution effect of Nokia’s equity program then outstanding, assuming that the performance shares would be delivered at maximum level, was approximately 1.8 percent. The potential maximum effect of the Nokia Equity Program 2012 announced in January 2012, assuming delivery at maximum level and including the increased planned maximum of approximately 11.5 million stock options, would be approximately another 1.6 percent.

Cheers Alfred for the tip!

Category: Nokia