Grade D, Below Average Pay-for-Performance
16 companies
Companies where CEO pay raises concerns about alignment with performance. Compensation growth may be outpacing revenue or shareholder returns, or say-on-pay approval is below average.
Grade D companies show meaningful pay-performance misalignment: CEO compensation growing faster than shareholder returns, say-on-pay friction, or pay ratios well above industry norms. 16 companies hold the grade.
The CEOPay pay-for-performance rubric weights three-year total shareholder return alignment (40%), revenue growth versus compensation growth (30%), say-on-pay approval (20%), and CEO-to-worker pay ratio versus peers (10%) into a single composite. For shareholders, the grade is a triage signal — a useful starting point for evaluating whether a company's pay package warrants closer review. The underlying factor breakdown on each company page reveals which specific dimensions drive the headline grade.
All Grade D Companies
Apple (AAPL)
CEO: Tim Cook · Technology Hardware · Pay ratio: 482:1
Microsoft (MSFT)
CEO: Satya Nadella · Software · Pay ratio: 225:1
Bank of America (BAC)
CEO: Brian Moynihan · Banks · Pay ratio: 462:1
Cisco Systems (CSCO)
CEO: Chuck Robbins · Networking · Pay ratio: 224:1
Airbnb (ABNB)
CEO: Brian Chesky · Online Travel · Pay ratio: 625:1
Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B)
CEO: Greg Abel · Diversified Financials · Pay ratio: 313:1
Altria Group (MO)
CEO: Billy Gifford · Tobacco · Pay ratio: 257:1
Chevron (CVX)
CEO: Mike Wirth · Oil & Gas · Pay ratio: 150:1
Sysco (SYY)
CEO: Kevin Hourican · Food Distribution · Pay ratio: 260:1
Deere & Company (DE)
CEO: John May · Machinery · Pay ratio: 160:1
Home Depot (HD)
CEO: Ted Decker · Home Improvement · Pay ratio: 343:1
Lowe's (LOW)
CEO: Marvin Ellison · Home Improvement · Pay ratio: 343:1
Nike (NKE)
CEO: Elliott Hill · Apparel · Pay ratio: 300:1
3M Company (MMM)
CEO: William Brown · Diversified Manufacturing · Pay ratio: 100:1
Crown Castle (CCI)
CEO: Steven Moskowitz · Infrastructure REITs · Pay ratio: 114:1
Kellogg (K)
CEO: Gary Pilnick · Packaged Foods · Pay ratio: 160:1
Frequently Asked Questions
Companies where CEO pay raises concerns about alignment with performance. Compensation growth may be outpacing revenue or shareholder returns, or say-on-pay approval is below average.
16 public companies in our database currently have a Grade D (Below Average) Pay-for-Performance Score. Their average CEO compensation is $19.0M with an average pay ratio of 282:1.
The Pay-for-Performance Score is a proprietary 0-100 metric based on four factors: total shareholder return alignment (40%), revenue growth vs. compensation growth (30%), say-on-pay vote approval (20%), and CEO-to-worker pay ratio vs. peers (10%). Grades range from A (score 80+) to F (score below 35).
Source: SEC EDGAR DEF 14A proxy statements, 2026.