An analysis of net-outcome contracting with applications to equity-based compensation

Christian Hofmann, Steven Huddart, Thomas Pfeiffer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Options, restricted stock, bonuses tied to total shareholder return, and similar equity-based compensation contracts stipulate payments that depend on stock price. Any such contract is a function of shareholder value net of the compensation payment, because stock price (1) is proportional to this net value or “net outcome” and (2) anticipates compensation-related payments and dilution. The net outcome, in turn, is reduced by the payment and so depends on the contract. Standard moral hazard analyses, wherein contractual payments are based on the gross outcome before any payment to the agent, overlook this dependency. We characterize the optimal net-outcome contract, describe its shape and pay-for-performance sensitivity, contrast it with the optimal gross-outcome contract, and discuss implications for equity-based compensation arrangements.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1657-1689
Number of pages33
JournalReview of Accounting Studies
Volume28
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2023

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Accounting
  • General Business, Management and Accounting

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