Coronavirus (COVID-19) And Stock Repurchase Programs

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to rapidly unfold and create volatility in the market, companies are considering whether to opportunistically buy back their stock pursuant to existing or newly established share repurchase programs. When considering share repurchase programs, companies should consider sharp criticism of stock repurchase programs, which has become more heightened in light of the adverse economic impacts of COVID-19 and the federal government’s response to the crisis. READ MORE

Exec Compensation May Need an Adjustment

The COVID-19 pandemic has left a lot of companies thinking about compensation. And, while the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) addresses a lot of issues, it lacks definitions and specificity in several important areas that pertain to executive compensation issues, according to a report from executive benefits advisory firm Fulcrum Partners, about potential consequences of the CARES Act on executive compensation. READ MORE

COVID-19 Equity and Equity-Based Compensation Plan Considerations

Many public and private companies utilize employee compensation plans that are designed to deliver employer shares or cash compensation based on share price and/or other financial performance measures, which have been impacted by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This bulletin discusses a number of executive compensation topics arising in an economic environment that is impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. READ MORE

CARES Act Executive Compensation Provisions

The $2.3 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act1 provides a variety of stimulus and relief programs to employers negatively impacted by COVID-19. Each program has different eligibility requirements and may impose limits on employee compensation that can be paid by companies that participate in the program. This alert discusses those programs and limits. This alert also discusses the limited payroll tax relief provided under the CARES Act. READ MORE

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims

The COVID-19 virus continues to impact the number of initial claims and its impact is also reflected in the increasing levels of insured unemployment. In the week ending April 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 6,606,000, a decrease of 261,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 219,000 from 6,648,000 to 6,867,000. The 4-week moving average was 4,265,500, an increase of 1,598,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 54,750 from 2,612,000 to 2,666,750. READ MORE