As companies continue to expense their stock options, we expect to see a growing number of companies embrace other forms of incentives for their executives, such as performance-based stock. Although the vehicles may change, the goal of keeping executives motivated and engaged while effectively tying their pay to performance is as important as ever. |
Unrealized gains on stock options are one of the best indicators of pay- for-performance sensitivity. Despite the occasional anomaly, both shareholders and boards should be pleased by the strong correlation between an executive's pay and how well - or poorly - a company's stock performs. |
We believe many companies are taking a wait-and-see approach to the proposed rules. While some companies recognize their disclosures are inadequate, most want to see what the final rules entail and how other companies respond. |