Equity Compensation Trends

Equity Compensation Trends, an Equilar publication, examines equity compensation design and granting practices to named executive officers (NEOs) at Equilar 500 companies over the last five fiscal years. The Equilar 500 is an index comprised of the largest US-based companies, by revenue trading, on one of the major U.S. stock exchanges. E*TRADE Financial Corporate Services, Inc. provided independent commentary on the state of equity compensation and the many factors and risks that go into consideration when creating equity-based pay packages for NEOs.

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Key Findings:

• Stock was used in 95.2% of all equity compensation packages granted to NEOs at Equilar 500 companies in 2018.
• Despite fluctuations in the number of stock or options granted, the average value of all equity awards has continually risen over the five years of the study.
• LTIP units, the single-most prevalent incentive plan vehicle, accounted for 63.5% of all performance equity awarded to NEOs at Equilar 500 companies in 2018.
• Options made up 2% of the total performance equity awards in 2018 and were granted to 48.7% of Equilar 500 NEOs.