NOKIA CORP | CIK:0000924613 |

26. Share-based payment

The Group has several equity-based incentive programs for executives and other eligible employees. The programs consist of performance share plans, restricted share plans and employee share purchase plans. The equity-based incentive grants are generally conditional on continued employment as well as the fulfillment of the performance, service and other conditions determined in the relevant plan rules. The share-based payment expense for all equity-based incentive grants included in Continuing operations in the consolidated income statement amounts to EUR 99 million (EUR 130 million in 2016 and EUR 67 million in 2015).

Active share-based payment plans by instrument

 

Performance shares

In 2017, the Group administered four global performance share plans, the Performance Share Plans of 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. The performance shares represent a commitment by the Group to deliver Nokia shares to eligible participants at a future point in time, subject to the fulfillment of predetermined performance criteria. The number of performance shares at target is the amount of performance shares granted to an individual that will be settled if the target performance, with respect to the performance criteria, is achieved. Any additional payout beyond the minimum amount will be determined based on the financial performance against the established performance criteria during the two-year performance period. At maximum performance, the settlement amounts to two times the amount at target. Until the Nokia shares are delivered, the participants do not have any shareholder rights, such as voting or dividend rights, associated with the performance shares. The performance share grants are generally forfeited if the employment relationship with the Group terminates prior to vesting.

The Performance Share Plan 2017 includes a minimum payout guarantee for performance shares granted to non-executive participants, such that 25% of the performance shares granted will settle after the restriction period, regardless of the satisfaction of the applicable performance criteria. Performance shares granted to executive participants under the Performance Share Plan 2017 do not include a minimum payout guarantee.

Global performance share plans as of December 31, 2017:

 

Performance criteria for the 2017 Plan for the year ended December 31:

 

 

Restricted shares

In 2017, the Group administered four global restricted share plans: the Restricted Share Plans 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Restricted shares are granted on a limited basis for purposes related to retention and recruitment of individuals deemed critical to the Group's future success.The vesting schedule for the 2014 Plans was 36 months following the grant quarter. All other plans follow a tranche vesting schedule whereby each plan vests in three equal tranches on the first, second and the third anniversary of the award subject to continued employment with the Group. Restricted Share Plan participants do not have any shareholder rights, such as voting or dividend rights, until the Nokia shares are delivered. The restricted share grants are generally forfeited if the employment relationship with the Group terminates prior to vesting of the applicable tranche or tranches.

Employee share purchase plan

The Group offers a voluntary Employee Share Purchase Plan to its employees. Participating employees make contributions from their net salary to purchase Nokia shares on a monthly basis during a 12‑month savings period. The Group intends to deliver one matching share for every two purchased shares the employee holds as of the end of the Plan cycle. In 2017, 2 920 204 matching shares were issued as a settlement to the participants of the Employee Share Purchase Plan 2016 (1 661 951 matching shares issued under the 2015 Plan and 601 408 free shares issued under the 2016 plan in 2016, 140 436 matching shares issued in 2015 under the 2014 Plan).

Legacy equity compensation programs

Stock options

In 2017, the Group administered one global stock option plan, the Stock Option Plan 2011. The last stock options under this Plan were granted in 2013. Each stock option entitles the holder to subscribe for one new Nokia share. The stock options are non-transferable and may be exercised for shares only. Shares will be eligible for dividends for the financial year in which the share subscription takes place. Other shareholder rights will commence on the date on which the subscribed shares are entered in the Trade Register. The stock option grants are generally forfeited if the employment relationship with the Group is terminated.

Reconciliation of stock options outstanding and exercisable: