New Research: The 2016 Survey of Employee Stock Purchase Plans
Executive Director
The results of the newest survey on broad-based employee stock purchase plans (ESPPs) show some continuity with prior surveys, such as the continued prevalence of a 15% discount and a six-month offering period, as well as some insights, such as high levels of satisfaction and low levels of investment in education.
The results come from 239 companies, the greatest number of which are in technology. Just over half have annual revenues over $1 billion. Although rates varied by employment category, responding companies were relatively evenly divided between those where 40% or fewer of eligible employees participate and those where over 40% participate. Most respondents (72%) said they were very satisfied or somewhat satisfied with their plans.
The majority of respondents (54%) spend less than 0.5% of their total compensation budget on the ESPP. On the other end of the scale, 7% of respondents spend 3% or more of their compensation expense on the plan.
See the NCEO website for information about ordering the full results, and NCEO members can view the members' report (member number and password required).
The survey is a collaboration of the NCEO with the National Association of Stock Plan Professionals (NASPP) and the Certified Equity Professional Institute at Santa Clara University (CEPI). NASPP members, CEPs, and CEP candidates can obtain the members' report and learn more about the full report. NASPP members can click here for the members' report and information about ordering the full report. CEPs and CEP candidates should contact Dee Crosby ([email protected]) and put "ESPP" in the subject line.