Slideshows

Top Performing CEOs of the Dow 30

10 Highest Performing Dow CEOs

After serving as CEO of McDonalds for more than seven years, Jim Skinner announced plans to step down on July 1. Skinner, widely regarded as a is credited with managing a turnaround of the world’s largest fast-food chain, while significantly improving the company’s stock price in the process. During Skinner's tenure, McDonald’s stock rose 229 percent. How does Skinner stack up against other CEOs? CNBC’s Analytics team looked at the tenure of each current Dow 30 CEO to track how their company’s s
Photo: Frederic Cirou | PhotoAlto Agency RF Collections | Getty Images

After serving as CEO of McDonalds for more than seven years, Jim Skinner announced plans to step down on July 1. Skinner, widely regarded as a no-nonsense CEO,is credited with managing a turnaround of the world’s largest fast-food chain, while significantly improving the company’s stock price in the process.

During Skinner's tenure, McDonald’s stock rose 229 percent. How does Skinner stack up against other CEOs? CNBC’s Analytics team looked at the tenure of each current Dow 30 CEO to track how their company’s stock fared under their watch. The analysis compared stock prices from the time each CEO took office and calculated the stock’s price change through March 21.

Of the 30 Dow companies, 25 have been positive or remained relatively flat since their current CEO took office, with 15 stocks rising more than 20 percent. The worst performer of current Dow CEOs is Alcoa’s Klaus Kleinfeld, whose stock price has dropped 74 percent since he assumed office in May 2008, with the company never fully recovering from the financial crisis. Other CEOs with a negative performance include GE’s Jeff Immelt (-49%), Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer (-41%), Bank of America’s Brian Moynihan (-35%) and AT&T’s Randall Stephenson (-19%).

The following slides include the latest compensation figures, unless otherwise noted. These values account for salary, bonuses, stock, stock option awards, along with other incentives.

So, which current Dow CEOs have seen their company’s stock rise the most during their tenure? Click ahead for the 10 highest performers.

By Paul Toscano & Giovanny Moreano
Posted 22 March 2012

10. Ian Reed, Pfizer

Stock performance: +29.5% CEO Since: December 2010Annual compensation: $25.01 million Stock price when made CEO: $16.81 Stock price (3/21/12): $21.77
Photo: AP

Stock performance: +29.5%
CEO Since: December 2010
Annual compensation: $25.01 million

Stock price when made CEO: $16.81
Stock price (3/21/12): $21.77

9. Ellen Kullman, DuPont

Stock performance: +30% CEO Since: October 2008 Annual compensation: $15.92 million Stock price when made CEO: $40.47 Stock price (3/21/12): $52.61
Photo: Joshua Roberts | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Stock performance: +30%
CEO Since: October 2008
Annual compensation: $15.92 million

Stock price when made CEO: $40.47
Stock price (3/21/12): $52.61

8. Muhtar Kent, Coca-Cola

Stock performance: +39.5% CEO Since: July 2008 Annual compensation: $29.12 million Stock price when made CEO: $51.00 Stock price (3/21/12): $71.12
Photo: Getty Images

Stock performance: +39.5%
CEO Since: July 2008
Annual compensation: $29.12 million

Stock price when made CEO: $51.00
Stock price (3/21/12): $71.12

7. John Watson, Chevron

John Watson, chairman and CEO of oil giant Chevron
Nicholas Kamm | AFP | Getty Images

Stock performance: +40.2%%
CEO Since: January 2012
Annual compensation: $16.26 million*

Stock price when made CEO: $76.99
Stock price (3/21/12): $107.91

*2010 compensation

6. Jay Fishman, Travelers

Stock performance: +43.5% CEO Since: April 2004 Annual compensation: $20.42 million* Stock price when made CEO: $40.77 Stock price (3/21/12): $58.51
Photo: Getty Images

Stock performance: +43.5%
CEO Since: April 2004
Annual compensation: $20.42 million*

Stock price when made CEO: $40.77
Stock price (3/21/12): $58.51

*2010 compensation

5. Rex Tillerson, Exxon Mobil

Stock performance: +53.1% CEO Since: January 2006 Annual compensation: $28.95 million* Stock price when made CEO: $56.17 Stock price (3/21/12): $86.01
Photo: Phillipe Desmazes | AFP | Getty Images

Stock performance: +53.1%
CEO Since: January 2006
Annual compensation: $28.95 million*

Stock price when made CEO: $56.17
Stock price (3/21/12): $86.01

*2010 compensation

4. Robert Iger, Disney

Stock performance: +79.3% CEO Since: October 2005 Annual compensation: $33.43 million Stock price when made CEO: $24.13 Stock price (3/21/12): $43.27
Photo: Getty Images

Stock performance: +79.3%
CEO Since: October 2005
Annual compensation: $33.43 million

Stock price when made CEO: $24.13
Stock price (3/21/12): $43.27

3. Douglas Oberhelman, Caterpillar

Stock performance: +81.8% CEO Since: July 2010 Annual compensation: $10.55 million* Stock price when made CEO: $59.97 Stock price (3/21/12): $109
Photo: Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Stock performance: +81.8%
CEO Since: July 2010
Annual compensation: $10.55 million*

Stock price when made CEO: $59.97
Stock price (3/21/12): $109

*2010 compensation

2. James Skinner, McDonalds

Stock performance: +229.2% CEO Since: November 2004 Annual compensation: $9.73 million Stock price when made CEO: $29.38 Stock price (3/21/12): 96.72
Photo: Tim Boyle | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Stock performance: +229.2%
CEO Since: November 2004
Annual compensation: $9.73 million

Stock price when made CEO: $29.38
Stock price (3/21/12): 96.72

*2010 compensation

1. John Chambers, Cisco

Photo: Getty Images

Stock performance: +950.5%
CEO Since: January 1995
Annual compensation: $12.89 million

Stock price when made CEO: $1.95
Stock price (3/21/12): $20.50