2024 S&P 500 and TSX 60 CEO compensation comparison 

This report compares market trends for 2024 and 2023 in the S&P 500 and TSX 60, including:

  • CEO target compensation
  • CEO actual STI payouts
  • CEO LTI vehicles
  • Company Say-on-Pay (SoP) results

Methodology

For the S&P 500 and TSX 60 CEO compensation, years in the analysis represent the following fiscal year end dates:

Year   Fiscal year ends

Year  

2024

Fiscal year ends

June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024

Year  

2023

Fiscal year ends

June 1, 2022 – May 31, 2023
  • Say-on-Pay result years reflect company meeting dates within a given calendar year. 2024 reflects company meeting dates through 27 June 2024.

        2024 data mainly reflects 2023 pay and 2023 mainly reflects 2022 pay.

  • Target Total Direct Compensation (Target TDC) = Base Salary + Target Short-Term Incentives (Target STI) + Target Long-Term Incentives Grant Value (Target LTI).

CEO target compensation 

S&P 500 LTI accounts for a greater portion of target TDC than in the TSX 60 — about three-quarters versus two-thirds.

US S&P 500

CEO median target TDC increased 6.1%  in 2024, driven mostly by a 7.6% increase in target LTI grant values.

Canada TSX 60

CEO median target TDC increased 3.8% in 2024 — target STI values increased by 5.2% and target LTI grant values increased by 4.1%

CEo median target

CEO actual STI payouts

S&P 500 STI payouts (as a % of target) stayed similar YoY while the TSX 60 saw noticeable decreases.

US S&P 500

CEO median actual STI payouts (114% of target) stayed relatively similar YoY — the percent of companies paying above target also remained relatively steady at 63%

Canada TSX 60

CEO median actual STI payouts (105% of target) decreased YoY although they remain above target — the percent of companies paying above target decreased significantly to 57%

CEO actual STI

CEO LTI vehicles

US S&P 500 and Canada TSX 60

CEO target LTI vehicle mix remains consistent YoY — PSUs are the most prevalent and heavily weighted vehicle; however, the S&P 500 favors RSUs as a second vehicle while the TSX 60 favors options.

Say-on-Pay (SoP) results

While nearly all S&P 500 and TSX 60 companies passed SoP, the TSX 60 received higher vote percentages
Years reflect company meeting dates within the given calendar year. 2024 reflects company meeting dates through 27 June 2024. 2024 data mainly reflects 2023 pay and 2023 mainly reflects 2022 pay.