Section 144ZC | Section 144ZB: non-commercial exercise of option ^F1

(1)For the purposes of section 144ZB, the exercise of an option which binds the grantor to buy is non-commercial if the exercise price for the option (see subsection (3)) is less than the open market price (see subsection (4)) of what is bought.^F1

(2)For the purposes of section 144ZB, the exercise of an option which binds the grantor to sell is non-commercial if the exercise price for the option is greater than the open market price of what is sold.^F1

(3)In this section “exercise price”, in relation to an option, means the amount or value of the consideration which, under the terms of the option, is—^F1

(a)receivable (if the option binds the grantor to buy), or^F1

(b)payable (if the option binds the grantor to sell),^F1

as a result of the exercise of the option (and does not include the amount or value of any consideration for the acquisition of the option (whether directly from the grantor or not)).

(4)In this section “open market price”, in relation to the underlying subject matter of an option (see section 144ZB(7)), means the price which the underlying subject matter might reasonably be expected to fetch on a sale in the open market at the time the option is exercised; and subsections (5) to (7) below apply for the purposes of this subsection.^F1

(5)If the whole or any part of the underlying subject matter of the option is subject to any right or restriction which is enforceable by—^F1

(a)the person disposing of the underlying subject matter, or^F1

(b)a person connected with him,^F1

the open market price of the underlying subject matter shall be determined as if the right or restriction did not exist.

(6)Section 272(2) (no reduction in estimated market value on account of assumption that whole of assets are placed on market at one time) shall apply in estimating the open market price of the underlying subject matter of an option as it applies in estimating the market value of any assets.^F1

(7)Where the underlying subject matter of an option comprises or includes assets to which section 273 applies (unquoted shares and securities), subsection (3) of that section (assumption that relevant information is available) shall apply in determining the open market price of those assets as it applies for the purposes of a determination falling within subsection (1) of that section.^F1

(8)This section is to be construed as one with section 144ZB.^F1