Climbing Up and Kicking Down

The opinions and recommendations in this report, and any errors, are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funders of this report. [...] This is the first time in this data series that the average pay of the top 100 CEOs has topped the $10-million mark. [...] The sud- den rise in this value in the last three years is matched by the rapid fall in the importance of stock options in CEO compensation. [...] The new high for CEO pay this year is due largely to the increase in the minimum pay level required to be in the top 100. [...] The sudden rise in this value in the last three years is matched by the sudden fall in the importance of stock options in CEO compensation.