spring is in the airSpring-loading and bullet-dodging: Research indicates that many public companies have coordinated stock option grants with upturns and downturns in the market. “Spring-loading” happens when a company grants stock options to executives immediately before a positive event. “Bullet-dodging” arises when companies postpone stock option grants due to an anticipated negative event. Both spring-loading and bullet-dodging raise significant concerns over the misuse of inside information.