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In the News
The True Cost of Firing a CEO—Bloomberg
Farient Advisors’ expertise and data analysis is featured throughout Bloomberg’s deep dive into the rising costs of CEO ousters. From multimillion-dollar severance packages and make-whole stock awards to retention bonuses and seven-figure adviser fees, the story shows how quickly expenses can mount when boards replace a chief executive. Led by…
Read More > 08.20.2025
In the News
CEO Pay at Top US Companies Accelerates at Fastest Pace in Four Years—Financial Times
Financial Times reports that CEO pay for the S&P 500 surged 7.7% in 2024, with median packages climbing to $19 million. According to data from Farient Advisors, the jump marked the sharpest increase since 2021 and outpaced both inflation and wage growth for the broader U.S. workforce. Executives at companies…
Read More > 08.19.2025
In the News
Executive Pay Lessons From 2025—Financier Worldwide Magazine
Citing Farient Advisors’ data, Financier Worldwide magazine examines key takeaways from the 2025 North American proxy season and the priorities boards should consider for the year ahead. While say-on-pay support for Russell 3000 and S&P 500 companies remains strong—averaging close to 90%—companies falling below 80% often face increased investor…
Read More > 08.14.2025
In the News
Elon Musk Retains Title as the Highest-Paid CEO in History—Fortune
Tesla has again cemented Elon Musk’s status as the highest-paid CEO in history, granting him a new $29 billion compensation package—now structured as 96 million restricted shares. The award comes after years of legal wrangling over his original 2018 mega-grant, which was twice struck down by Delaware courts. In…
Read More > 08.05.2025
In the News
Resistance Builds Against Performance Shares for CEOs—Agenda
A recent Agenda article highlights growing resistance to performance share units (PSUs) in CEO pay packages. While PSUs have long been favored as a way to align executive incentives with company goals, new research suggests they may not deliver the intended results. A study examining S&P 1500 firms found that companies…
Read More > 08.05.2025
In the News
A Family Feud Leaves the Future of This Kefir King in Doubt—Barron’s
Lifeway Foods is in turmoil as a family feud collides with a takeover bid from French dairy giant Danone, Barron’s reports. Founded in the 1980s, the company has been rocked by years of legal disputes among family members. Danone, a 23% shareholder, has made multiple acquisition offers and…
Read More > 07.31.2025
Newsletters
SEC Roundtable Signals Shift in Executive Pay Disclosure | Farient Briefings
SEC Scrutinizes Pay Disclosures With Eye Toward Simplification A recent U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission roundtable surfaced both consensus and contention among a mixed group of participants on how to simplify and add value to executive compensation disclosures. Farient CEO Robin A. Ferracone and Partner Marc Hodak actively participated, advocating for targeted…
Read More > 07.31.2025
Briefs
From Patchwork to Progress? SEC Roundtable Signals Shift in Executive Pay Disclosure
A landmark roundtable was convened on June 26th by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Paul Atkins to assess the efficacy of executive compensation disclosures. In opening remarks, Atkins called the current framework a “Frankenstein patchwork” of overlapping requirements, questioning whether they achieved their intended goals and, if…
Read More > 07.30.2025
In the News
Talent Strategies For An Uncertain Era—Corporate Board Member
Boards are facing more pressure than ever to get talent strategy right—from CEO succession and employee engagement to pay plans that can withstand market shocks. A new article from Corporate Board Member (CBM), “Talent Strategies For An Uncertain Era,” outlines how high-performing boards are tackling these challenges head-on. The piece…
Read More > 07.18.2025
In the News
Boards Navigate ‘Tug-of-War’ on Exec Comp Disclosures—Agenda
As the SEC reconsiders its executive compensation disclosure rules, corporate boards are facing renewed scrutiny from both regulators and investors. While some stakeholders are pushing for simplification, others emphasize the need for greater transparency to ensure alignment between pay and performance. The result is a growing tension between regulatory relief…
Read More > 07.10.2025
In the News
Under Pressure, U.S. Companies Back Off DEI Pay Metrics—Reuters
A new Reuters column highlights data from Farient Advisors revealing a sharp drop in the number of S&P 500 companies tying executive compensation to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) metrics, down from 52% in 2024 to just 22% this year. The shift comes amid growing pressure from activists and a political…
Read More > 07.09.2025
In the News
Starbucks Dangles $6 Million Stock Grants to Executives to Speed Up Turnaround—Bloomberg
Bloomberg reports that Starbucks is offering performance-based stock grants worth $6 million each to executives as part of its “Back to Starbucks” turnaround plan, spearheaded by CEO Brian Niccol. The awards are contingent on aggressive cost-cutting measures and in-store experience improvements, and come amid union criticism and questions about executive…
Read More > 07.07.2025
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