Well there is no need for a vote of confidence by anyone to exercise $0.60 options with a share price of $1.30. They will be exercised because they are $0.70 in the money. Even if they are exercised and the holders sell them or part of the the shares to pay taxes, there is no issue. All it would show if they were not exercised would be a lack of financial savey which I am sure is not the case for either AE or TM.