During the fiscal year ended January $31,2023,$ Sedgewick Corp reported the exercise of $12,000$ shares at a weighted$-$average exercise price of $$32\mathrm{.}66.$ Sedgewick$$s stock was trading at $$44\mathrm{.}40$ on January $31,2023$ and $$38\mathrm{.}00$ on December $31,2022$

a$.$ Calculate the amount of cash received as a result of the employee stock options exercise.

b$.$ Would the exercise of stock options increase or decrease the amount of shares outstanding?

Given the information provided, does it seem reasonable that these employee stock options would have been exercised? Explain