Topic: Corporate Governance

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

Meg Whitman new HP CEO. What firm has more CEO change?

Fortune 500 companies are supposed to be stable, rock-solid institutions, where CEO change rarely happens. But it doesn't always happen that way. Just ask Hewlett-Packard, which announced Thursday that Meg Whitman would be the company's new chief executive officer, the fourth HP CEO in six years. In the past six years, only 16 companies on the Fortune 500 or S&P 500 have had three CEOs, according to executive search firm Crist Kolder Associates in Hinsdale, Ill. Besides HP, only two have had four or more. Can you guess who these CEO change champions are? [Editor's note: This story was updated 9/23/2011.]
CEO pay: a look at the Top 5 breadwinners

CEOs at the biggest public companies in the US saw a raise in pay in 2010. The fourth annual analysis by the Wall Street Journal and the Hay Group, a management-consulting firm, shows that the median value of compensation of CEOs at the top 350 companies rose 11 percent, to $9.3 million. Only two of the Top 5 highest-paid CEOs were among the Top 5 the previous year, and only one was on the list four years ago. Total compensation includes salary, bonuses, granted value of stock, stock options, and other long-term incentives awarded for work.
Gallery: CEO exits

All Content

Typical CEO made $9.6 million last year

The head of a typical public company made $9.6 million in 2011, according to an analysis by The Associated Press. The typical American worker would have to labor for 244 years to make what the typical boss of a big public company makes in one.
JPMorgan Chase shareholders to confront CEO Dimon

The nation's largest bank holds its annual meeting Tuesday in Tampa, Florida, where it's expected that some shareholders will ask Jamie Dimon to divest himself of one of his twin roles.
Chesapeake Energy: Carl Icahn as investor? Sure!

Chesapeake Energy CEO says he would welcome the activist investor who often calls for change in management. Shares of Chesapeake Energy have plunged nearly 40 percent in less than two months.
Eric Holder: Corporate fraud criminal cases coming soon

Eric Holder, the US attorney general, says his federal department continues to pursue individuals involved in corporate fraud. Eric Holder told states attorneys general fines alone aren't working.
Change Agent
From hazelnut trees to Foxconn, corporate responsibility is growing

Mountain Hazelnut Venture is planting trees, paying fair wages, and supplying customers in a triple win for corporate social responsibility.
Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO, made $30 million in 2011

Sheryl Sandberg, the No. 2 person at Facebook, pulled in a sterling salary last year. Even Mark Zuckerberg made only a small fraction of Sheryl Sandberg's total 2011 earnings.
Facebook IPO: CEO is ruler. Can shareholders win?

Facebook IPO makes clear that CEO Zuckerberg dominates the company with more than half the board votes. But studies suggest that might benefit shareholders long after the Facebook IPO.
Change Agent
Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman urge fans to help Africa

In a show of corporate social responsibility, DC Comics unleashes its superheroes on the problems in the Horn of Africa
On the Economy
Corporate tax reform is trickier than you think

Why changing the way corporations pay taxes is more difficult than it seems.
Meg Whitman new HP CEO. What firm has more CEO change?

Fortune 500 companies are supposed to be stable, rock-solid institutions, where CEO change rarely happens. But it doesn't always happen that way. Just ask Hewlett-Packard, which announced Thursday that Meg Whitman would be the company's new chief executive officer, the fourth HP CEO in six years. In the past six years, only 16 companies on the Fortune 500 or S&P 500 have had three CEOs, according to executive search firm Crist Kolder Associates in Hinsdale, Ill. Besides HP, only two have had four or more. Can you guess who these CEO change champions are? [Editor's note: This story was updated 9/23/2011.]
Whistleblower rules: Get paid to report fraud

Whistleblower rules to offer tipsters up to 30 percent of the money the government recovers in a fraud. New whistleblower rules will take effect in two months.
Tax VOX
Is corporate tax reform realistic?

International tax experts say that the US lags behind other nations in terms of corporate tax reform. Is there any hope of changing the system?
CEO pay: a look at the Top 5 breadwinners

CEOs at the biggest public companies in the US saw a raise in pay in 2010. The fourth annual analysis by the Wall Street Journal and the Hay Group, a management-consulting firm, shows that the median value of compensation of CEOs at the top 350 companies rose 11 percent, to $9.3 million. Only two of the Top 5 highest-paid CEOs were among the Top 5 the previous year, and only one was on the list four years ago. Total compensation includes salary, bonuses, granted value of stock, stock options, and other long-term incentives awarded for work.
Study: 30 private college presidents made more than $1 million

A study shows that high-end compensation for private college presidents is increasing. In 2004, no presidents made $1 million or more. In 2008, 30 did.
The Adam Smith Institute Blog
How business friendly is Britain to, say, Africa?

A new survey suggests Britain's businesses don't think their country is very business friendly.
Case in Point
'Corporate social responsibility': a wobbly concept

'Corporate social responsibility' is sometimes smart business, but it's always difficult to define. What social responsibilities do corporations bear? What should they?
Gallery: CEO exits
What happened to all that anger over CEO pay?

Now that most of the firms that received taxpayer money have paid back the government, they're setting their own compensation levels again. CEOs of major US firms make nearly 300 times the wage of the average American worker.
Sarbanes-Oxley provision ruled unconstitutional

Sarbanes-Oxley's national board that monitors auditors of public companies violates the Constitution's separation of powers requirement, the Supreme Court ruled Monday.
Supreme Court rules for president in separation of powers case

The Supreme Court ruled Monday that a board overseen by the Securities and Exchange Commission operated under rules that violated the Constitution's separation of powers clause.
The Reformed Broker
On financial reform, Dodd gives activist shareholders more power

His Senate financial-reform bill includes provisions that give activist shareholders more say in the election of company directors.
Case in Point
Are corporate social responsibility rankings irresponsible?

Corporate social responsibility rankings can be a powerful tool for companies. But there are concerns about how they are compiled.
Chris Dodd to unveil financial reg reform; says GOP "terribly naive"

Sen. Chris Dodd said Republicans were "terribly naive" for wanting more time to study financial regulation reform
Financial bill to rein in Wall Street. Will it be tough enough?

Regulations in a House financial bill would mean the most significant overhaul of the financial-services industry since the New Deal.
Wall Street pay cuts ordered by Treasury

The Treasury Department is ordering pay cuts for top executives at the seven big companies that have yet to pay back government bailout cash. The US public has balked as such firms have handed out huge bonuses.