31.   Some are accelerating annual options grants.

32.   Some technology companies, including Microsoft, have recently given employees unusually large option grants, in an effort to take advantage of their low prices.

33.   That evens out spikes caused by awarding big stock or option grants, which is what put Goizueta into the spotlight three years ago.

34.   The largest option grant of all went to Margaret C. Whitman, president and chief executive of eBay, the San Jose Internet auction site.

35.   Then, he says, a committee of outside directors should decide on option grants.

36.   They also received unusually generous new option grants that promise fat profits over the next decade.

37.   Tucci and David Donatelli, an executive vice president, each received three consecutive option grants last year.

38.   What counts is the percentage of outstanding shares an option grant represents.

39.   Newspaper publisher Knight Ridder said Thursday it has awarded one-time option grants to all full-time employees.