Actual TSR over the three-year performance period was 120.5%, which ranked 4th out of 23 (of an original 30) companies remaining in the applicable performance peer group from the 2019 fiscal year (for comparison, the peer company at the 25th percentile had an actual TSR over the same period of approximately 24%, the peer company at the 50th percentile had an actual TSR of approximately 63% and the peer company at the 80th percentile had an actual TSR of approximately 115%). During this time, the Company’s stock price also increased from approximately $98 to $222 per share, a 126.5% increase.
The 2019 LTIP awards, including the time-based RSUs granted thereunder, vested on June 15, 2021.
Payout/Vest of 2020 CEO Special Strategic Grant
In December 2019, Mr. Rebelez was awarded a special strategic equity grant consisting of a target award of 5,000 PSUs, with: (i) 2,500 PSUs subject to vesting based on a net increase in the number of Casey’s Rewards members, to be achieved as to 100% of such PSUs in the event of a net increase of at least 300% as of December 31, 2020, compared to December 1, 2019; and (ii) 2,500 PSUs subject to vesting based on an increase in the number of the Company’s e-commerce transactions (website and mobile app), to be achieved as to 100% of such PSUs in the event of an increase of at least 50% during calendar year 2020 as compared to calendar year 2019.
In January 2021, the Committee evaluated performance against these goals and certified the results as follows:
| Casey’s Rewards Members | | | 200% | | | 300% | | | 453.7% | | | 100% | |
| E-Commerce Transactions | | | 40% | | | 50% | | | 125.3% | | | 100% | |
The PSUs remain subject to service-based vesting, one-third of which occurred on January 15, 2021, and one-third of which will occur on each of January 15, 2022-2023, generally subject to Mr. Rebelez’s continued employment.
Other 2021 Fiscal Year Equity Awards
A key pillar in the Company’s strategic plan is to “Invest in Our Talent”, which the Committee believes is critical to the long-term success and growth of the Company. As discussed above, during the 2021 fiscal year, the Company did just that by adding thirteen incredibly talented, qualified and diverse executives to its extended leadership team, including NEOs Mr. Bramlage, Ms. Williams and Mr. Butler. All three were highly sought-after executives, so consistent with the Committee’s efforts to provide competitive executive compensation packages for external hires, the following one-time equity-based awards were approved by the Committee in connection with their hiring:
Mr. Bramlage was provided a one-time, long-term equity award consisting of time-based RSUs with a value of $1,000,000 and an award of PSUs with a target value of $1,000,000, consistent with the performance metrics, goals and terms of the 2021 LTIP, as discussed above, resulting in the following number of units awarded, at target: time-based RSUs, 6,611; PSUs subject to EBITDA awards, 3,306; and PSUs subject to ROIC awards, 3,306 (the “Special One-Time Equity Award”). The RSUs will vest in equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date (i.e., June 2, 2021-2023), generally subject to continued employment. The PSUs will cliff vest between 0% and 200% of target on June 15, 2023, generally subject to continued employment and subject to the Company’s achievement of the applicable performance goals over the Performance Period. The Special One-Time Equity Award to Mr. Bramlage was, in-part, an inducement designed to offset a portion of lower total direct compensation at the Company as compared to his prior employer, and in-part, designed to create a meaningful long-term performance and retention incentive. Other than the Special One-Time Equity Award, Mr. Bramlage did not receive any other sign-on or inducement awards.
Ms. Williams was provided a one-time, “make-whole” equity-based award (a “Make-Whole Award”) designed, in-part, to replace the value of incentive compensation forfeited when she left her prior employer and, in-part, as a meaningful long-term performance and retention incentive. Ms. Williams’ Make-Whole Award consisted of time-based RSUs with a value of $900,000, resulting in 5,975 units being awarded. The award will vest in equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date (i.e., June 1, 2021-2023), generally subject to continued employment. Other than her Make-Whole Award, Ms. Williams did not receive any other sign-on or inducement awards.
Mr. Butler was also provided a one-time Make-Whole Award designed, in-part, to replace the value of incentive compensation forfeited when he left his prior employer and, in-part, as a meaningful long-term performance and retention incentive. Mr. Butler’s Make-Whole Award consisted of time-based RSUs with a value of $400,000, resulting in 2,656 units being awarded. The award will vest in-full on the third anniversary of the grant date (i.e., June 1, 2023), generally subject to continued employment. Other than his Make-Whole Award, Mr. Butler did not receive any other sign-on or inducement awards.