Under Its Executive Stock Option Plan, W Corporation Granted Options

Multiple Choice

Under its executive stock option plan, W Corporation granted options on January 1, 2013, that permit executives to purchase 15 million of the company's $1 par common shares within the next eight years, but not before December 31, 2015 (the vesting date) . The exercise price is the market price of the shares on the date of grant, $18 per share. The fair value of the options, estimated by an appropriate option pricing model, is $4 per option. No forfeitures are anticipated. The options are exercised on April 2, 2016, when the market price is $21 per share. By what amount will W's shareholder's equity be increased when the options are exercised?

A) $60 million.
B) $270 million.
C) $315 million.
D) $330 million.