Pixar Options Draw Scrutiny

Pixar's practices, particularly with regard to the grants to McArthur and Lasseter's most recent grant, appear to have the marks of backdated options.

But companies have also drawn scrutiny for the practice of "spring-loading." With spring-loaded options, a company grants shares to an employee immediately before making an announcement it expects will boost its stock. Lasseter's 1997 grant has the marks of a spring-loaded grant -- as well as those of a backdated one.

Shares of Disney were off 24 cents, or 0.8%, to $29.15 in recent trading. Apple's stock was off $1.03, or 1.5%, to $66.18.