Top Stories                                                                                

Non-Executive Chair and Lead Director Pay
Pay Trends for Key Board Leadership Positions

The public's focus on ensuring that companies have independent board leadership continues to grow stronger. Last month, Bank of America shareholders voted to split the CEO and Chairman roles, ousting CEO Kenneth Lewis as Chairman. In the wake of this decision, and as more companies and shareholders consider similar moves, Equilar analyzed the current state of independent board leadership at Fortune 500 companies. Read More (+).

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CEO Aircraft Perquisites Show No Signs of Fading
Trends in Fortune 100 CEO Aircraft Usage

In a year when criticism of executive pay practices reached unprecedented levels, it is surprising to find that both the median value and prevalence of Fortune 100 CEO aircraft perquisites climbed from 2007 to 2008. Although rising fuel costs in the early part of last year certainly played a role in this development, Equilar's most recent research suggests a reluctance on the part of companies to eliminate or reduce aircraft perks. Read More (+).

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More Companies Adopt Relative TSR Plans
A Short Report on Relative TSR Metrics at S&P 100 Companies

According to a recently completed analysis by Equilar, 34 companies in the S&P 100 index used relative total shareholder return (TSR) metrics for their performance-based incentive plans in fiscal year 2008. This count includes plans with annual and multi-year performance periods and plans payable in cash or equity. Read More (+).

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Equilar in the News                                                                   

To help you monitor the latest executive compensation headlines, we selected several recent articles featuring Equilar data and research. Visit the news and publications section of our website to read the complete listing of new media mentions.

Fray on Pay June 1, 2009
"'Specific caps on compensation are not very likely,' says Alexander Cwirko-Godycki, research manager at compensation benchmarking firm Equilar Inc., 'but there is definite momentum behind say-on-pay provisions, mandates for wider clawback policies, and increased compensation disclosure requirements, among others.'"
Surviving the Slump May 28, 2009
"Times are so tough that even bosses are taking pay cuts. Median pay for chief executives of S&P 500 companies fell 6.8% in 2008, according to Equilar, a data provider. The overthrown titans of Wall Street took the biggest knock, with average pay cuts of 38% and median bonuses of zero."
Adding Up what CEOs Made May 24, 2009
"To examine compensation trends, the Chicago Tribune asked Equilar Inc., an executive compensation research firm based in Redwood Shores, Calif., to gather data on the pay of chief executives of the 100 largest public companies in Illinois and northwest Indiana, as determined by market capitalization on March 31."
Sitting Pretty May 23, 2009
"Alexander Cwirko-Godycki, research manager at Equilar Inc., the Redwood Shores, Calif., data analysis firm that conducted The Times' survey, said he expected more reductions in executive pay when 2009's results are reported next year. 'There's a delay between when the message is sent and when companies start taking action,' Cwirko-Godycki said. 'I think you are going to see bigger cuts in 2009.'"
CFO Pay Drops as Bonuses Shrink May 4, 2009
"Lower bonuses dragged down chief financial officer compensation in 2008, according to a new study by compensation-research firm Equilar Inc. Though salaries for CFOs rose last year, median total compensation dipped 4.0% to $2,725,791. A 22.6% drop in the median cash bonus — to $431,300 — drove the decline."
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