Just to clarify. The options that are awarded to key company personel are issued at an exercise price. It seems like a great deal but if the share price doesn't go higher than that price then they expire worthless. So the $3 options will never be exercised unless the price goes up higher than that. If they are issued at $1 and the price is $2 they can cut the company a cheque for $1 per share (company gets more needed money) and hold those shares or sell them any time and make money. It is highly advantageous for these people to see the stock higher. They in many cases have mouch more to lose than the average shareholder when the SP tanks or stagnates.