Phantom Share Option PlanA phantom share option plan is a cash bonus plan under which the amount of the bonus is determined by reference to the increase in value of the shares subject to the option. No shares are actually issued or transferred to the option-holder on the exercise of the phantom share option. Operation of the PlanThe phantom share option plan works in the same way as an H M Revenue & Customs approved company share option plan. The executive is granted an option over a number of shares at an option price which is usually (but not necessarily so) equal to the market value of a share at the date of grant of the option. When the executive exercises the option he simply gets a cash bonus which, subject to the rules of the plan, is equivalent to the difference between the market value of the shares at exercise and the option price. Other ConsiderationsThe company must always consider whether it should grant options with an open-ended commitment as to the amount of bonus which may become payable when the options are exercised. It is fairly common to place a cap on the amount of bonus which is payable. There are several ways to cap the payment. The company should also establish a policy in connection with the grant of options. The policy should cover matters as to whether options should normally only be granted to those executives who by their own efforts can increase the value of the company and whether the exercise of options should be subject to performance targets. Main Advantages
Main Disadvantages
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