Houston Texas Stock Option and Stock Award Plan of American Stores Company is a comprehensive compensation program designed to provide employees with the opportunity to own company stock and share in its success. The plan includes several types of stock options and awards, each tailored to meet the different needs of employees at American Stores Company. One type of stock option available under the Houston Texas Stock Option and Stock Award Plan is the incentive stock option (ISO). SOS are granted to employees as a reward for their excellent performance and dedication to the company. These options offer numerous advantages, including favorable tax treatment when exercised. SOS have specific guidelines for exercising, such as a maximum exercise price, a holding period, and restrictions on the number of shares that can be granted. Another type of stock option offered by the plan is the non-qualified stock option (NO). Nests are more flexible than SOS as they do not require adherence to specific guidelines. These options can be granted to any employee, regardless of their level or position within the company. Nests may have an exercise price that is higher than the market value of the stock at the date of grant, resulting in potential profit if the stock price rises above the exercise price during the option's duration. Additionally, the Stock Award Plan of American Stores Company includes stock awards which provide employees with actual shares of company stock, rather than options to purchase it. Stock awards typically have a vesting schedule, where the employee earns full ownership of the shares over a certain period of time or upon achieving specific performance goals. These awards provide employees with the opportunity to become direct shareholders and benefit from the company's long-term success. The Houston Texas Stock Option and Stock Award Plan of American Stores Company is a valuable employee benefit that aligns the interests of the employees with those of the company's shareholders. By providing employees with the opportunity to own company stock, the plan incentivizes loyalty, performance, and commitment to the company's growth and prosperity. Moreover, the plan seeks to reward employees for their contributions and dedication by offering various stock option and award types, including SOS, Nests, and stock awards with different vesting schedules and guidelines. In conclusion, the Houston Texas Stock Option and Stock Award Plan of American Stores Company is a comprehensive compensation program that offers different stock option and award types to employees. This plan serves as a means to incentivize and reward employees, foster loyalty and commitment, and align their interests with those of the company's shareholders.