ASX 100 CEO remuneration increases below inflation


09/02/2026
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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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