WASHINGTON -- A Watson Wyatt study of 1,406 companies found the number of stock option shares available for the future and the number of options already granted as a percentage of total outstanding shares has almost tripled in six years.
Companies in the technology sector need 20% to 30% of their shares for options, while the utility sector needs less than 10% of its shares.
The technology and service industries have the highest percentages of use of their stock option programs according to the survey.
Overall, the average share "overhang" has significantly increased from 1990, when it amounted to only 5%.
