Economists generally say that employees typically exercise their options too quickly.

These additional findings are consistent with research that tends to show older employees exercise a greater level of self-control.

Hospital officials were reluctant to say, however, how many employees have exercised their rights under the law.

Under current law, the company gets a deduction later, when employees exercise the options.

If the stock goes up, the employee then exercises a right to buy it, and can sell it for a profit.

In 1999, employees exercised options on an additional 61 million shares.

The employee can exercise their options after a specified period.

When employees exercised options in 2005, Altera received only roughly half that amount - $9.32 a share on average.

Companies receive many benefits when their employees exercise stock options.

Companies reap another benefit when their employees exercise options.