USA TODAY: … Wall Street’s 2½-year bull market is fueling mega-paydays across a swath of corporate America, from aging industrial giants to young dotcom firms. Yet it also is highlighting the growing wage divide between executive suites and rank-and-file employees.
U.S. workers averaged $46,742 in 2010, up 2.6% from 2009. A June GovernanceMetrics analysis found average compensation among S&P 500 CEOs rose to $12 million in 2010, up 18% from 2009 — and that’s not counting the potential multimillion-dollar value of stock or stock options, which are granted at set prices and provide holders profits as stock values rise.
•John Hammergren, McKesson Corp. The health care services CEO pulled in $150.7 million, up 190% from 2010’s $51.8 million. Hammergren, 52, received $32 million in salary, incentive pay and perks, although $112.1 million came from exercising stock options… (more)
