William M. Mercer, Inc. is an international compensation consulting firm. Enclosed is their analysis of the proxy statements of 350 major industrial and service companies in the United States.
For further information, please contact Malcom Hirsch, Jr. of William M. Mercer, Inc. at 617/450-6374.
If the role of the Board of Directors is to serve the interests of owners, then the more Board members compensation is totally in the form of equity the more they can truly represent the interests of shareholders.
That is the theory.
According to the study, only 3.1% of surveyed companies paid their Directors 100% in the form of stock.
This figure represents an increase from 1.7% in 1995.
Thus, the trend is moving in the direction of 100% stock compensation for Board members. But the numbers are pretty low, dont you think?
If you have any reactions to this study or our ideas, please write to us at stybel@aol.com and we will be happy to publish them.
We are not the only fonts of wisdom on this subject!
STYBEL PEABODY & ASSOCIATES, INC.
Boston, MA
Tel: 617/371-2990
CORPORATE SPONSORED CONSULTING TO HELP INCREASE CAREER COMPETENCE OF EXECUTIVES WHO REPORT TO BOARDS, EXECUTIVES WHO WANT TO REPORT TO BOARDS, EXECUTIVES WHO OUGHT TO BE NETWORKING AT BOARD LEVELS, AND EXECUTIVES WHO WANT TO SERVE ON BOARDS.
Practice Group
Communique
May 29, 1997
P&R #23
Research Communique: Outside Directors' Compensation And Benefits Among 350 Major Industrial And Service Companies (As Disclosed in 1997 Proxy Statements)
Prepared by: Steve Sabow (CRG\NY)
Colin Hinkson (CRG\NY)
Lori Marino (CRG\NY)
Todd Denmark (CRG\NY)
Reviewed by: Susan Eichen (New York)
Summary: The Compensation Research Group has analyzed outside directors' compensation and benefits from 1997 proxy statements for 350 major industrial and service companies. This group is comprised of the same 350 companies as this year's Wall Street Journal/William M. Mercer CEO Compensation Study sample.
Major findings of the 1997 proxy analysis include:
Median annual retainer increases from $30,000 to $31,531.
More directors' are receiving 100% of their annual retainer in stock: 3.1 % of the sample in 1996 versus 1.7% in 1995.
Directors' stock grants increased from 86% of the sample to 89%.
Companies granting multiple stock award types (e.g., restricted stock and stock options, restricted stock and unrestricted stock, or stock options and unrestricted stock) have jumped to 40% of the sample from 32% last year and 18% in the prior year.
Benefits for directors, now primarily deferred compensation, have leveled off at 84% of the sample, same as in 1995 but compared to 88% in 1994.
Pensions for directors have dropped to 28% of the sample from 48% in 1995 and 64% in 1994. The majority of the companies that eliminated director pensions either adopted a new director stock compensation plan or increased grants under an existing plan.
Stock ownership guidelines for directors are now being disclosed by 11.4% of the sample versus 8.9% last year and only 3.4% in 1994.
A small but growing number of companies are quietly experimenting with performance-based incentives for directors; 3.1% of the sample disclosed such awards.
While this communique is intended for internal distribution, you may also share this information with clients, prospects and the press.
Highlights Of The Outside Directors' Compensation And Benefits Analysis
Median |
Median % Change From 1995 |
|
Revenue (000) |
$5,493,722 |
6.6% |
Net Income (000) |
304,500 |
10.6 |
Assets (000) |
6,531,750 |
5.2 |
Equity (000) |
2,105,554 |
7.9 |
Annual Retainer |
Meeting Fees |
Casha |
Sharesb |
Totala,b |
Board |
Committee |
|
75th Percentile |
$30,250 |
$26,400 |
$47,457 |
$1,500 |
$1,200 |
Median |
25,000 |
17,000 |
31,531 |
1,200 |
1,000 |
25th Percentile |
20,000 |
10,000 |
25,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
338 companies (96.6% of the sample) paid directors an annual cash retainer, with a median of $25,000 per annum (same as last year).
193 companies (55.1%) paid directors an annual stock retainer (in the form of restricted stock, unrestricted stock or deferred stock), with a median of $17,000 per annum (versus $13,850 last year).
11 companies (3.1%) paid the directors' annual retainer 100% in the form of shares, almost double the number of companies, 6 companies, doing so in 1995.
349 companies (99.7%) paid directors a total annual retainer, with a median of $31,531 per annum (versus $30,000 last year).
296 companies (84.6%) paid directors a board meeting fee, with a median of $1,200 per annum versus $1,000 last year.
a Consists of annual retainer paid in the form of cash. Grants that are not made on an annual basis are excluded.
b Consists of annual retainer paid in the form of shares, including the value of annual grants in the form of restricted stock, unrestricted stock and/or deferred stock. Grants that are not made on an annual basis are excluded.
287 companies (82.0%) paid directors a committeec meeting fee, with a median of $1,000 per annum (same as last year).
41 companies (11.7%) paid the Chairman of a committeec a committee meeting fee, with a median of $1,500 per annum (same as last year).
61 companies (17.4%) paid directors a retainer for service on a committeec, with a median of $3,275 per annum (versus $3,000 last year).
202 companies (57.7%) paid the Chairman of a committeec a retainer for service, with a median of $4,000 per annum (same as last year).
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
|
75th Percentile |
$52,363 |
$56,275 |
$59,163 |
$61,700 |
$67,850 |
Median |
43,200 |
45,000 |
48,250 |
51,000 |
54,000 |
25th Percentile |
35,500 |
38,375 |
41,150 |
42,000 |
44,000 |
1995 |
1996 |
|
75th Percentile |
$73,747 |
$85,143 |
Median |
59,150 |
65,689 |
25th Percentile |
46,000 |
50,728 |
c Excludes individual committee meeting fees (e.g., $1,300 for audit committee meetings) and service retainers. For example, if directors receive $1,000 per meeting for each committee meeting but members of the Executive Committee receive $1,300 for attending each of their meetings, summary statistics would include the normal committee meeting fee but not the individual committee meeting fee for the Executive Committee.
d To facilitate meaningful comparison across companies, the following TAC assumptions were employed: each director attends 8 board meetings; is a member of 2 committees; attends 8 committee meetings (4 of each committee); and is a Chairman of 1 of these committees.
e TDC is defined as the sum of TAC (using the assumptions employed in footnote C) plus the value of any annual stock option grants (using a binomial option-pricing model).
The following statistics were calculated based solely on those companies that changed a reported compensation element during the most recent fiscal year:
% Change In |
Annual Retainer |
Meeting Fees |
Cash |
Stock |
Total |
Board |
Committee |
TAC |
|
75th Percentile |
25.0% |
100.0% |
33.3% |
47.5% |
50.0% |
22.5% |
Median |
7.1 |
46.7 |
16.7 |
20.0 |
16.7 |
10.2 |
25th Percentile |
-2.0 |
13.4 |
4.6 |
10.0 |
5.2 |
3.0 |
Valid Cases |
75 |
144 |
171 |
32 |
35 |
187 |
% of Sample |
21.4% |
41.1% |
48.9% |
9.1% |
10.0% |
53.4% |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
|
Stock for Directors |
63% |
73% |
78% |
86% |
89% |
Stock Options |
28 |
37 |
40 |
46 |
52 |
Unrestricted Stock |
22 |
22 |
26 |
29 |
30 |
Restricted Stock |
16 |
19 |
20 |
24 |
27 |
Deferred Stock |
7 |
9 |
11 |
24 |
26 |
Otherf |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Among the 133 companies that disclosed annual stock option grant amounts, the typical number of shares granted for annual purchase is 2,000 shares. Last year, 135 companies made a median annual grant of 1,666 shares.
While the above figure includes grant amounts to be made during the 1997 fiscal year, the following summary of binomial option grant values only includes those annual grants that were actually made during the preceding fiscal years (as are all the other dollar amounts disclosed in this communique).
Option Grant Value |
1995 |
1996 |
|
75th Percentile |
$36,967 |
$46,513 |
Median |
20,481 |
26,748 |
25th Percentile |
12,303 |
16,766 |
Valid Cases |
121 |
133 |
f Includes stock purchase, warrants and performance shares.
Among the 48 companies that disclosed annual unrestricted stock grantg amounts, the typical number of shares granted annually is 475 shares. Last year, 51 companies made a median annual grant of 400 shares.
Among the 38 companies that disclosed annual restricted stock grantg amounts, the typical number of shares granted annually is 343 shares. Last year, 37 companies made a median annual grant of 300 shares.
Among the 31 companies that disclosed annual deferred stock grantg amounts, the typical number of shares granted annually is 400 shares. Last year, 18 companies made a median annual grant of 325 shares.
5. Stock Ownership Guidelines For Directors
While no SEC requirement exists for disclosure of ownership guidelines in the annual proxy statement, 40 companies (11.4% of sample) disclosed such guidelines versus 9.1% last year. A future Research Communique will report on the individual guidelines by company which require directors to own at the median at least 2,000 shares, or shares equivalent to three times annual retainer within five years.
3.1% of this year's companies have made performance-based grants. Compensation Research Topics RT #2 (5/5/97) was distributed via e-mail to all Performance & Rewards practitioners and provides information on the following types of grants made at 11 companies:
Stock options granted only if company meets performance goals
Performance-contingent stock options
Performance-accelerated stock options
Performance-contingent restricted stock
Other long-term performance awards
Annual performance awards
g Annual grants of restricted stock, unrestricted stock and deferred stock are valued at closing stock price on grant date and the resulting amounts are included in the annual stock retainer reported on page two of this communique.
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
|
Benefits For Directors |
83% |
86% |
88% |
84% |
84% |
Deferred Compensation |
63 |
68 |
70 |
69 |
74 |
Retirement Arrangement |
64 |
64 |
64 |
48 |
28 |
Change in Control Protection |
17 |
21 |
25 |
26 |
22 |
Charitable Award Plan |
9 |
11 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
Accident Insurance |
13 |
13 |
12 |
15 |
14 |
Life Insurance |
13 |
11 |
11 |
13 |
11 |
Medical Coverage |
5 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
6 |
2. Mandatory Retirement Age for Directors
103 companies (29.4% of sample) disclosed the mandatory retirement age for directors. The most common mandatory retirement age remains age 70 (66 companies disclosed age 70), with a range of age 67 to age 75.
Attached are charts that present selected survey highlights. They may be incorporated into client reports or utilized as slides in overhead presentations. Questions and other comments about this communique should be directed to Malcom Hirsh, Jr. at 617/450-6374.
Outside Directors' Compensation and Benefits
Among 350 Major Industrial and Service Companies
Outside Directors' Compensation and Benefits
Among 350 Major Industrial and Service Companies
Financials 2
Annual Compensation 3
Annual Retainer: 1992 - 1996 4
Percent Change in Annual Compensation 5
Prevalence of Stock Arrangements for Directors: 1992 - 1996 6
Annual Stock Grants 7
Prevalence of Benefits Disclosed for Directors: 1992 - 1996 8
Outside Directors' Compensation and Benefits
Among 350 Major Industrial and Service Companies
Revenues |
Net Income |
|||
1996 |
% Change |
1996 |
% Change |
|
(000) |
From 1995 |
(000) |
From 1995 |
|
75th Percentile |
$11,039,894 |
12.7% |
$733,908 |
35.8% |
Median |
5,493,722 |
6.6 |
304,500 |
10.6 |
25th Percentile |
3,074,160 |
1.5 |
139,850 |
-17.1 |
Outside Directors' Compensation and Benefits
Among 350 Major Industrial and Service Companies
Retainer* |
Board Meeting Fee |
mmittee Meeting Fee |
Total Annual Compensation** |
|
75th Percentile |
$47,457 |
$1,500 |
$1,200 |
$67,850 |
Median |
31,531 |
1,200 |
1,000 |
54,000 |
25th Percentile |
25,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
44,000 |
Valid Cases |
349 |
296 |
287 |
350 |
* Retainer includes the value of annual grants in the form of restricted stock, unrestricted stock and/or deferred stock. Grants that are not made on an annual basis are excluded.
** To facilitate meaningful comparison across companies, the following total annual compensation assumptions were employed: each director attends 8 board meetings; is a member of 2 committees; attends 8 committee meetings (4 of each committee); and is a chairman of 1 of these committees.
Outside Directors' Compensation and Benefits
Among 350 Major Industrial and Service Companies
% Change* From 1995 |
||||
Retainer |
Board Meeting Fee |
mmittee Meeting Fee |
Total Annual Compensation* |
|
75th Percentile |
33.3% |
47.5% |
50.0% |
22.5% |
Median |
16.7 |
20.0 |
16.7 |
10.2 |
25th Percentile |
4.6 |
10.0 |
5.2 |
3.0 |
Valid Cases |
171 |
32 |
35 |
187 |
* Calculated based solely on those companies that changed a reported compensation element during 1996
Outside Directors' Compensation and Benefits
Among 350 Major Industrial and Service Companies
PREVALENCE OF STOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR DIRECTORS: 1992 - 1996
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
|
Stock for Directors |
63% |
73% |
78% |
86% |
89% |
Stock Options |
28 |
37 |
40 |
46 |
52 |
Unrestricted Stock |
22 |
22 |
26 |
29 |
30 |
Restricted Stock |
16 |
19 |
20 |
24 |
27 |
Deferred Stock |
7 |
9 |
11 |
24 |
26 |
Other |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Outside Directors' Compensation and Benefits
Among 350 Major Industrial and Service Companies
PREVALENCE OF BENEFITS DISCLOSED FOR DIRECTORS: 1992 - 1996
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
|
Benefits for Directors |
83% |
86% |
88% |
84% |
84% |
Deferred Compensation |
63 |
68 |
70 |
69 |
74 |
Retirement Arrangement |
64 |
64 |
64 |
48 |
28 |
Change in Control Protection |
17 |
21 |
25 |
26 |
22 |
Charitable Award Plan |
9 |
11 |
14 |
14 |
14 |
Accident Insurance |
13 |
13 |
12 |
15 |
14 |
Life Insurance |
13 |
11 |
11 |
13 |
11 |
Medical Coverage |
5 |
5 |
6 |
5 |
6 |