Issues of pay for performance have been drawing attention in shareholder meetings and —due to an increased public sensitivity to the apparent causes of the current financial turmoil—are likely to take center stage in the upcoming proxy seasons.

Top Executive Compensation in 2008 provides extensive analyses of compensation by industry, revenue, and compensation type for CEOs as well as the five highest-paid executives. Using data reported from firm proxies as of June 2008, the report can serve as a useful reference point for forthcoming compensation discussions.