This post is part of an ongoing series that examines the way stock exchange independence rules relate to director compensation. We are for the most part including companies from 2017’s Fortune 500 and using information found in their 2017 proxy statements.
NASDAQ and the NYSE have similar rules with respect to director independence. NYSE Rule 303A.01 requires that each listed company’s board of directors be comprised of a majority of independent directors. A director does not qualify as “independent” if he or she has a “material relationship with the company.” NYSE Rule 303A.02(a).
Read MoreHow quickly things change—and not for the better. In June, Fortune magazine reported that woman were “making strides” because a whopping 6.4% of CEOs were female. As sad as that figure is, it just got much worse. Avon recently announced that CEO Sheri McCoy will leave the 131-year-old cosmetics firm in March. This news broke just one day Oreo and Cadbury owner Mondelez announced that its longtime CEO Irene Rosenfeld will give up the top spot at the company later this year. Moreover, let us not forget that in June, Marissa Myers stepped down as the CEO of Yahoo (now known as Altaba). Each of the CEO’s faced harsh criticism from activist shareholders during her tenure. And so, for now, we are down to 5.8% female representation of woman in Fortune 500 companies. Some strides.
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