Table of Contents

Overhang: What it is, How it Works, Calculations and FAQ

By

James Chen

Updated April 23, 2022

Reviewed by

Chip Stapleton

Fact checked by

Katrina Munichiello

What Is Overhang?

Overhang is a measure of the potential dilution of stock shares due to possible awards of stock-based compensation. It is usually represented as a percentage and is calculated as stock options granted plus the remaining options to be granted divided by the total shares outstanding ((SO+RO)/TSO).

Key Takeaways

Overhang is a measure of the potential dilution to which common shareholders are exposed due to possible awards of stock-based compensation.
Overhang is usually represented as a percentage and is calculated as stock options granted plus the remaining options to be granted divided by the total shares outstanding.
More broadly, overhang can also refer to the downward pressure caused by the presence of a large block of shares that could be sold.
Overhang is calculated by dividing the number of existing and future option issues by the total number of stock outstanding.
The higher the overhang number, the greater the risk.

Understanding Overhang

There is no rule of thumb for determining how much overhang is harmful to common shareholders, but generally speaking, the higher the number, the greater the risk. The options overhang decreases after a public offering because the number of shares outstanding increases. If a company has a very high options overhang, it must generate even higher levels of growth and profits to compensate for the overhang's dilutive effects on earnings per share (EPS) and therefore investor returns.

This, in turn, can lead managers to take on more risk, pay out less in dividends, and take on more debt—all of which can result in greater volatility in the company's stock price. Companies with high levels of employee stock ownership, on the other hand, tend to have stronger financial performance, pay higher dividends, and see less stock price volatility.

How to Calculate Overhang

The simplest way to calculate options overhang is to add up existing and future option issues divided by the total number of stock outstanding. For example, suppose a company has already issued 50,000 options and has plans to distribute 50,000 more. Assuming that the company has 1 million shares outstanding, then the total overhang is (50,000 + 50,000)/1,000,000 = 10%.

Used in the broad sense, market overhang can refer to any situation where investors hold back from an asset due to uncertainties about the near future.

Special Considerations

According to a 2020 study by executive compensation consultant F.W. Cook & Co., small-cap companies grant a significantly higher percentage of their stock options to executives as compared to large-cap companies. Technology companies also have the lowest share of awards granted to senior management while the retail and industrial sectors have the highest.

Because an options overhang can have a negative effect on the price of a stock, entrepreneurs and company management generally devise HR strategies to mitigate its impact. Performance-based options are one such strategy. The chances are lower that an employee will exercise performance-based options versus traditional stock options that are not tied to performance and are almost certain to be exercised, once their vesting period is over.

What Is the Definition of Overhang?

In the broadest definition, market overhang refers to a situation where customers or investors wait for future events rather than buying a certain product or stock. This is usually because of uncertainties or fears regarding that stock's near-term future.

What Is Stock Overhang?

Broadly speaking, stock overhang refers to situations where a few shareholders possess a large block of stock shares, raising the possibility of a price drop if they sell them all at once. Stock overhang is most common in situations where employees are compensated with a large number of company shares, but it may also apply to the stock holdings owned by large institutional investors.

What Is Bearish Overhang?

Bearish overhang refers to a situation in which buyers are reluctant to purchase a certain asset, due to the presence of a large block of that asset that would cause prices to fall if the block were sold. This usually refers to stock shares, but it can also refer to commodities. For example, during the negotiations over U.S.–Iran sanctions, some analysts warned of a "bearish overhang" caused by a potential sell-off of the Iranian oil supply.

What Is Risk Overhang?

In insurance, risk overhang refers to situations where continuous exposure to past transactions can limit an insurer's actions in the present. This is usually the case when an insurer has to pass on lucrative opportunities because they cannot take on any more risk.

Article Sources

Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy.

F.W. Cook. "2020 Aggregate Share-Based Compensation," Page 4.
Yahoo News. "There's a 'Major Bearish Overhang' on Oil Markets, Analyst Says."

Take the Next Step to Invest

×

The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Investopedia receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where listings appear. Investopedia does not include all offers available in the marketplace.