Study: CEO Compensation Up 11% In 2011

Compensation received by chief executives of the biggest U.S. companies surged 11% over the past 12 months — to $9.3 million on average, The Wall Street Journal reported on May 8. Citing a study conducted for the newspaper by management consultancy Hay Group,WSJ said the increase was largely due to decisions by company boards to reward CEOs for strong profit and share-price growth with bigger bonuses and stock grants.

The survey covered the 350 biggest companies that filed their statement between May 1, 2010, and April 30, 2011. Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman topped the list after receiving compensation valued at $84.3 million, more than double his 2009 pay, the report said. ◆