Barbara Arneson must decide which job offer to take. With all other factors being equal, she is now down to a decision based on the value of the stock options offered by each company. One company is a public company with easily gathered data on the financial status of the company. The other offer is from a start-up company which has only financial projections.

1. What is the number of shares outstanding at BioGene as of May 31, 2006? What is its current PE ratio? Why do you think it is higher than the current average of other bioinformatics companies (hint: consider the recent annual growth rates of revenues and profits)?

2. What is Barbara's percentage ownership in each firm?

3. Compare the firms in 4 years (i.e. 2010) when the stock options will be fully vested. Assuming Barbara remains employed until that time, which stock option offer is better? Make sure to include the cost of the stock options and state all critical assumptions.

4. In addition to compensation matters, what other factors would you suggest Barbara consider in making her decision?