Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer sees bonus cut 50 percent for second straight year
Amazon.com WidgetsIn fact, things were basically the same in 2011 (Microsoft's fiscal year runs from July to June). Ballmer, 55, was eligible for a bonus equal to zero to 200 percent of his salary, just was in 2010. He received a bonus equal to his salary, missing out on 50 percent of the possible amount.
Microsoft's latest SEC filing said that Ballmer's performance review for fiscal 2011 took into account lower than expected sales of Windows Phone software and "the need for further progress in new form factors," which roughly translated means issues with mobile, including not just the aforementioned Windows Phone issues, but Microsoft's inability to counter Apple's hit iPad tablet.
In addition, Ballmer was hit by a 2 percent dip in sales at its Windows software unit. Although it was in line with a drop in global PC sales, some believe that the figures show that not just Mac OS X, but the iPad, too, is beginning to eat away at Microsoft's global dominance in PCs.
"Regular joes" might be interested to know that, including his bonus, Ballmer's compensation only rose about 2 percent from 2010 to 2011 (to $1.38 million), which actually makes him one of the lowest-paid CEOs of a major U.S. company. It's still a hefty amount, but that 2 percent raise seems in line with what a lot of Main Streeters are seeing.
Amazon.com WidgetsAdditionally, although Ballmer owns 3.95 percent of Microsoft (he sold about 12 percent of his holdings in November of 2010), he has long requested that the company issue no stock compensation to him.
Despite that, Forbes says Ballmer is the 33rd richest person in the world with a net worth of $14.5 billion. Ballmer has led Microsoft as CEO since 2000.
Related Articles:
-
Hindu Business Line Is Steve Ballmer mad? Or lost in translation? Computerworld (blog) Microsoft... Read Full Story » -
Sydney Morning Herald Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer wants Indian developers' support Times of... Read Full Story » -
SlashGear Ballmer predicts Windows 8 users to reach 500 million in 2013 SlashGear Yesterday I... Read Full Story » -
Thousands of people fought and sneaked their way into the Consumer Electronics Show keynote... Read Full Story »
Steve Ballmer Pictures
Related People
Comments
