Intel Corp (INTC)

[fowler]

Semi,

re: And the rest of the stockholders don't bust their arse working for the company like the employees do either. They just simply get to sit back and whine that they didn't get the same thing as those that did bust their arse :(

The stockholders are the risk takers. They may not "bust their arse" working for the company, but chances are they busted their arse working for the money they are investing in the company. They provide the capital that makes Intel function, and that pays the salary of the employees. Employees don't have downside risk, owners have constant downside risk, as anyone that bought between $20 and $75 understands.

I'm neutral on expensing options; both sides have great arguments. I do believe that you compensate performance, and recently Intel has increased option grants as their performance has decreased. As an owner/risk taker I take that as a sign that Intel cares more about the employees than the owners. So I reduced my risk. When many of the other owners reduce their holding, those employee options are worthless. Like it or not, it all comes back to the owners. Without them, Intel is nothing.

John