Insights

Research Report

August 28, 2017

2017 Top 250 Report

Research Report | By Austin Lee, Voytek Sokolowski, Edward D. Graskamp

This 45th annual FW Cook Top 250 Report details the long-term incentive practices and trends of the 250 largest companies by market cap value in the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500. Notable trends and key findings from this year’s study include the following:

  • Companies continue to employ a portfolio strategy for long-term incentives to balance the advantages and drawbacks of each vehicle type, with nearly 90% of the Top 250 companies using two or more grant types
  • Long-term incentive mix continues to be strongly oriented towards performance plans as the use of performance awards continues to climb
  • Total shareholder return (“TSR”) remains the most prevalent performance metric among the Top 250 companies, with almost every company that uses it measuring on a relative basis
  • 95% of Top 250 companies grant performance awards, with 59% utilizing two or more performance metrics and 88% using a 3-year performance period

austin-leeAustin Lee
Principal

Austin Lee works with clients on a variety of projects which include conducting market analysis on executive pay levels, designing performance based annual and long-term incentive programs, and evaluating the relationship between executive pay and company performance.

voytek-sokolowskiVoytek Sokolowski
Principal

Voytek Sokolowski has experience working with clients in a variety of industries and size categories. He consults on all aspects of executive and board compensation, including executive compensation trends, annual and long-term incentive program design, peer group development, and the relationship between executive pay and company performance. Voytek has also assisted in developing equity plan proposals and employment agreements for new CEOs.

Additional Publications

By Austin Lee

October 7, 2024
2024 Aggregate Share-Based Compensation Report
Read More

June 29, 2023
Weighing Director Pay Deferral Programs
Read More

December 5, 2022
2022 Top 250 Annual Incentive Plan Report
Read More

June 15, 2021
Excelling at Engagement
Read More

By Voytek Sokolowski

October 21, 2024
2024 Top 250 Report
Read More

June 17, 2024
Succeeding with Stock Plan Proposals
Read More

December 5, 2022
2022 Top 250 Annual Incentive Plan Report
Read More

December 7, 2017
2017 Say-on-Pay Recap as of December 1st
Read More