What is a Management Quality Score?

A Management Quality Score is a 0-100 rating that evaluates executive leadership based on 12 key factors including ownership stake, insider trading patterns, compensation structure, capital allocation track record, and corporate governance. Higher scores indicate stronger alignment between management and shareholders.

How do you analyze CEO compensation?

We analyze CEO compensation by examining total pay packages from SEC DEF 14A proxy filings, including salary, bonus, stock awards, and options. We compare pay ratios to industry peers, evaluate pay-for-performance alignment, and review Say-on-Pay shareholder voting results to assess whether compensation is reasonable.

What does insider trading activity reveal about management?

Insider trading activity from SEC Form 4 filings reveals whether executives are buying or selling company stock. Consistent insider buying often signals management confidence, while heavy selling may indicate concerns. We analyze 5-year trading patterns to identify trends and unusual activity.

How is CEO stock performance measured?

CEO stock performance is measured by calculating total shareholder return during the CEO's tenure, compared against the S&P 500 benchmark. We also calculate annualized returns and compare performance to industry peers to provide context for the CEO's track record.

What is a Promotional vs Operator score?

The Promotional vs Operator score distinguishes between CEOs who focus on operations and value creation (Operators) versus those who prioritize marketing and stock promotion (Promotionals). Operators typically have higher insider ownership, conservative guidance, and focus on long-term fundamentals.

How do you evaluate board independence?

Board independence is evaluated by analyzing the composition of the board of directors from SEC proxy filings. We assess the percentage of independent directors, committee memberships (Audit, Compensation, Nominating), director tenure, and potential conflicts of interest.

What SEC filings are used for management analysis?

We analyze multiple SEC filings including DEF 14A proxy statements for executive compensation and board composition, Form 4 for insider trading, 10-K annual reports for business overview, and 8-K filings for material events like acquisitions and leadership changes.

How can I compare two companies' management teams?

Use our Compare Companies feature to view side-by-side analysis of two management teams. Compare Management Quality Scores, CEO compensation, insider trading patterns, stock performance, and governance metrics to make informed investment decisions.