IBM CEO gets $8 m. in bonuses

The year 2000 was good to most high-tech executives being compensated with
bonuses based on corporate sales and earnings performance. IBM's Louis
Gerstner, for example, received $8 million in performance bonuses, the company
announced.

Gerstner's bonus also included new options on 650,000 worth some $44 million.
Gerstner's actual 2000 salary was $2 million, the same as his 1999 salary when
he received $7.2 million in bonus payments.

Surprisingly, at the end of 2000, Gerstner held just 115,000 shares of IBM
stock, meaning he has sold the vast majority of his IBM share holdings. IBM's
shares have outperformed most high-tech stock. At $95, the issue is trading at
just 21 percent below its peak. Most high-tech firms have seen their shares
cut in half or worse.