The weighted average fair value of the stock option awards granted during the twelve week periods ended November 23, 2024, and November 18, 2023, using the Black-Scholes-Merton multiple-option pricing valuation model, was $1,020.28 and $913.31 per share, respectively, using the following weighted average key assumptions:
| | | | | |
| | Twelve Weeks Ended | |
| | November 23, | | November 18, | |
| | 2024 | | 2023 | |
| | | | | |
Expected price volatility | | 26 | % | 29 | % |
Risk-free interest rate | | 3.9 | % | 4.8 | % |
Weighted average expected lives (in years) | | 5.5 | | 5.4 | |
Forfeiture rate | | 7 | % | 7 | % |
Dividend yield | | 0 | % | 0 | % |
During the twelve week period ended November 23, 2024, and the comparable prior year period, 41,085 and 44,644 stock options, respectively, were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $872.81 and $931.85, respectively.
As of November 23, 2024, total unrecognized share-based expense related to stock options, net of estimated forfeitures, was approximately $196.7 million, before income taxes, which we expect to recognize over an estimated weighted average period of 3.3 years.
Restricted Stock Units:
Restricted stock unit awards are valued at the market price of a share of the Company’s stock on the date of grant. Grants of employee restricted stock units vest ratably on an annual basis over a four-year service period and are payable in shares of common stock on the vesting date. Compensation expense for grants of employee restricted stock units is recognized on a straight-line basis over the four-year service period, less estimated forfeitures, which are consistent with stock option forfeiture assumptions. Grants of non-employee director restricted stock units are made and expensed on January 1 of each year, as they vest immediately.
The Company made grants of 2,054 and 2,173 restricted stock unit awards at weighted average grant date fair values of $3,129.78 and $2,549.04, respectively, during the twelve week periods ended November 23, 2024, and November 18, 2023.
During the twelve week period ended November 23, 2024, and the comparable prior year period, 2,529 and 3,741 restricted stock unit awards, respectively, were vested at a weighted average grant date fair value of $1,716.43 and $1,383.34, respectively.
As of November 23, 2024, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to nonvested restricted stock unit awards, net of estimated forfeitures, was approximately $11.8 million, before income taxes, which we expect to recognize over an estimated weighted average period of 3.1 years.
Total share-based compensation expense (a component of Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses) was $26.1 million and $22.9 million, respectively, for the twelve week periods ended November 23, 2024, and November 18, 2023.
For the twelve week period ended November 23, 2024, and the comparable prior year period, 81,028 and 169,798 stock options, respectively, were excluded from the diluted earnings per share computation because they would have been anti-dilutive.
See AutoZone’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2024, and other filings with the SEC, for a discussion regarding the methodology used in developing AutoZone’s assumptions to determine the fair value of the option awards and a description of AutoZone’s Amended and Restated 2011 Equity Incentive Award Plan, the AutoZone, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Award Plan and the Director Compensation Program.