STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Text Block] | NOTE 11 - STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY On December 6, 2011, the Board of Directors adopted, and the shareholders subsequently approved, the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") which provides for, among other incentives, the granting to employees, directors and consultants incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance units and performance shares as the Plan Administrator may determine. In June 2013, the shareholders approved an increase in the maximum shares from 260,000 to 460,000. In December 2015, the shareholders approved an increase in the maximum number of shares from 460,000 to 920,000. In December 2018, the shareholders approved an increase in the maximum shares from 920,000 to 1,120,000. In December 2020, the shareholders approved an increase in the maximum number of shares approved for issuance under the plan from 1,120,000 to 1,320,000. In May 2023, the shareholders approved an increase in the maximum number of shares approved for issuance under the plan from 1,320,000 to 1,520,000. The maximum number of shares of common stock which may be issued under the Plan is 1,520,000. The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be awarded to an individual participant under the Plan in any one fiscal year is 78,000 shares. Options are generally exercisable at the fair market value or higher on the date of grant over a ten-year period. Shares are generally issued at the fair market value on the date of issuance. In February 2019, options to purchase 250,000 of the Company's common stock were granted to key employees and the outside director under the Plan at an exercise price of $2.30 per share, exercisable over a 10-year period. On the date of grant, 30% of the shares underlying these options immediately vested with a compensation expense of $82,530. On February 25, 2020, 20% of the shares underlying these options vested with a compensation expense of $55,020. On February 25, 2021, 20% of the shares underlying these options vested with a compensation expense of $55,020. On February 25, 2022, 30% of the shares underlying these options vested with a compensation expense of $82,530. The fair value of the stock options granted was estimated at the date of grant using Black Sholes option-pricing model. Based on the list of assumptions presented below, the fair value of the options granted during the year ended December 31, 2019, was $1.10 per share. The fair value of the stock options granted was estimated at the date of grant using the Black Sholes option-pricing model. The values of the options granted was calculated based on the list of assumptions presented below. 2019 Options Granted Expected terms in years 10 Years Risk-free interest rate 2.84% Expected volatility 32.35% Expected dividend yield 0.00% The expected volatility was determined with reference to the historical volatility of the Company's stock. The Company uses historical data to estimate option exercise and employee termination within the valuation model. The expected term of options granted represents the period of time during which the options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury rate in effect at the time of grant. Total stock-based compensation expense related to vested stock options recognized during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $0 and $82,530. As of December 31, 2023, there was $0 of unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested stock options. A summary of information related to stock option activity during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 is as follows: Outstanding Weighted - Aggregate Stock Average Exercise Intrinsic Options Price Value Options outstanding at January 1, 2022 508,000 $1.00 to $2.60 $ 3,733,600 Stock options exercised (287,000 ) Options outstanding at December 31, 2022 221,000 $1.00 to $2.60 $ 15,377,200 Stock options exercised - Options outstanding at December 31, 2023 221,000 $1.00 to $2.60 $ 3,711,500 Options vested and exercisable at December 31, 2023 221,000 $ 1.60 to $2.60 $ 1,623,050 The intrinsic value is the difference between the current fair value of the stock and the exercise price of the stock option. The weighted-average remaining contractual life of options outstanding, vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2023 is one to ten years. On December 29, 2020, the Company's Board approved the award of 41,350 restricted shares of the Company's common stock to key employees and the outside director, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, under the Company's 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. On the date of grant, 60% of the shares underlying these options immediately vested with a compensation expense of $176,151. On December 29, 2021, 20% of the shares vested with a compensation expense of $58,717. On December 29, 2022, 20% of the shares vested with a compensation expense of $58,717. The fair value of the stock granted, calculated in accordance with the plan, was $7.10 per share. On December 22, 2021, the Company's Board approved the award of 41,050 restricted shares of the Company's common stock to key employees and the outside director, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, under the Company's 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. On the date of grant, 1,050 shares vested, thereafter on December 31, 2021 60% of the remaining shares vested with a total compensation expense of $753,003. On March 31, 2022, 10% vested with a total compensation expense of $120,240. On June 30, 2022 10% vested with a total compensation expense of $120,240. On September 30, 2022 10% vested with a total On December 22, 2022, the Company's Board approved the award of 29,000 restricted shares of the Company's common stock to key employees and the outside director, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, under the Company's 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. On the date of grant all 29,000 shares vested with a total compensation expense of $536,790. The fair value of the stock granted, calculated in accordance with the plan, was $18.51 per share. On December 21, 2023, the Company's Board approved the award of 244,100 restricted shares of the Company's common stock to key employees, contractors and the outside director, pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, under the Company's 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. On December, 22, 2023, 10,675 shares vested with a total compensation expense of $100,132. The remainder of the 233,425 shares will vest annually in tranches until final vesting date of December 22, 2028. The fair value of the stock granted, calculated in accordance with the plan, was $9.38 per share. Stock-based compensation expense related to vested restricted stock awards during the years ended, December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $100,131 and $1,076,467, respectively. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there was $2,189,527 and $0, respectively of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock. In January 2022, the Company issued 78,000 shares of common stock to an employee who exercised stock options. In March 2022, the Company issued 40,000 shares of common stock to two employees who exercised stock options. In May 2022, the Company issued 35,209 shares of common stock to an employee who exercised stock options in a cashless exercise. In December 2022, the Company issued 115,448 shares of common stock to a director and two employees who exercised stock options in a cashless exercise. |