ASX 100 CEO remuneration increases below inflation
09/02/2026
Guerdon Associates analysed ASX 100 CEO equity grant resolutions to determine the extent of remuneration change evident during the 2025 AGM season. The remuneration opportunities and changes year-on-year are current as at the time of each company’s latest AGM.
Summary findings include:
- The median annual increase in fixed remuneration for incumbent CEOs was 2.2% across the ASX 100.
- Maximum total remuneration opportunity, including STI and LTI, increased by 3.0% at the median.
- For context, the Wage Price Index rose by 3.4% over the twelve months to September 2025 (latest available data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics) and is forecast by the Reserve Bank of Australia to increase by 3.1% to June 2026.
The table below sets out summary statistics for increases in total fixed remuneration (TFR) and maximum total remuneration (TR).
Table 1: Annual change in remuneration for ASX 100 same incumbent CEOs
|
Statistic |
TFR |
TR |
|
Average |
3.3% |
4.6% |
|
25th percentile |
0.0% |
0.0% |
|
50th percentile |
2.2% |
3.0% |
|
75th percentile |
5.0% |
6.7% |
The sample excludes ASX 100 companies incorporated outside of Australia and comprises 73 same incumbent CEOs. 25 incumbent CEOs in the sample (34%) had unchanged total remuneration opportunities year-on-year.
Table 2 summarises the median change in TFR and TR by sector. Excluding sectors with less than 4 observations, the largest median remuneration increases were in the materials sector.
Table 2: Median annual change in remuneration for ASX 100 same incumbent CEOs by GICS sector
|
Sector |
Count |
TFR |
TR |
|
Financials |
16 |
0.0% |
0.0% |
|
Materials |
13 |
3.0% |
5.0% |
|
Industrials |
11 |
2.5% |
3.2% |
|
Real Estate |
9 |
0.0% |
0.0% |
|
Health Care |
6 |
2.2% |
3.9% |
|
Consumer Staples |
5 |
0.0% |
0.0% |
|
Energy |
4 |
2.6% |
7.6% |
|
Utilities |
3 |
3.3% |
3.3% |
|
Consumer Discretionary |
2 |
5.8% |
5.9% |
|
Communication Services |
2 |
4.8% |
4.1% |
|
Information Technology |
2 |
8.8% |
– |
In coming newsletters, we will report on other developments from the latest AGM season.
© Guerdon Associates 2026
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