Executive pay


Two strikes and you’re…ok

The controversial ‘two strikes’ policy — giving shareholders a chance to vote down pay rises and force a board to re-election — has been severely watered down in the final report from the Productivity Commission on executive pay released today.

Goldman finally turns (slightly) scrooge on bonuses

After much flack for their exorbitant executive remuneration, this Christmas the top 30 Goldman Sachs execs will be receiving their bonuses in stocks that cannot be sold for five years, not cash.

Goldman bankers buy guns for public showdown

Apparently Goldman Sachs’ bankers are applying for gun licenses in preparation for a populist uprising against fat cat bankers and their big bonuses. Well, Goldman is known for its foresight, writes Alice Schroeder.

Top executive earners: pay for performance a myth

The Financial Review today produced its annual salary review for 2009 and it appears that despite claims to the contrary, there is a significant disconnect between executive remuneration and shareholder return, writes Adam Schwab.

Wal’s still the King of the heap when it comes to pay

Wal King recently gave a spray about the ridiculously high salaries received by CEOs. Maybe he should be looking at his own pay packet — $29 million since 2008, nearly all cash — before casting stones.

Which bank? Definitely not a big one.

US investors lost confidence in large banks getting bailed out by the government. Community banks are cashing in and cleaning up, advertising directly to local customers angry about large CEO payouts and irresponsible investing.

Mayne: Investors unite for a CEO pay revolt

Stephen Mayne displays some shareholder activist at the Transurban AGM in Melbourne today, where the remuneration report was defeated by a whopping 69% of voters.

United in fat cat pay anger

Last week, shareholders in contractor United Group vented their anger at the company’s generous pay practices (including a 30% pay rise for the CEO!) with the majority of shares being voted against the company.

New rules for bailed-out bankers revealed

The US Treasury and Federal Reserve have announced their new rules on executive pay at big and bailed-out banks: many will have their salaries capped at $500,000, total compensation will be cut by 50%, and cash guarantees will be restructured as stock.

Exec pay: two strikes, too soft

The “two-strike” rule for executive remuneration should be rejected not because it is too hard on directors, but rather, because it is too soft, and targets the wrong people.

Why are US and Australian fat cats so obese?

With recent debate by the Productivity Commission on executive pay, Kenneth Davidson asks why we pay so much for CEOs, when it’s obvious that high salaries don’t equal strong company performance.

Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Executive Remuneration

Crikey readers weigh in on how measuring the obscenity of executive remuneration, the danger of footpaths and the South Ossetian war between Georgia and Russia.

Grattan: It should pay to take risks

The Productivity Commission’s report on executive pay won’t completely satisfy those, like the Greens, that wanted caps on pay. Except, caps aren’t a practical option, writes Michelle Grattan.

Executive remuneration: PC pays out on directors

The Productivity Commission has produced an excellent report on executive remuneration and every share owner in the country should read it. Particularly the part about directors.

“Pay for performance” is the great myth of executive pay

Despite share prices tumbling, executives pays are rising. This, argues Adam Schwab, debunks the myth that executive pay is linked to performance.

Coles update spot on! Now what?

There is no doubt that these presentations are delivered with passion and belief that the things that need to be done will turn the enterprise around and satisfy the needs of all stakeholders in the future, writes Laurie Giuseppeni.