August 2, 1999

Barron's Table

Big Holdings, Bigger Gains
From 1991 through 1995, companies whose outside directors held a median amount of more than $750,000 of stock in 1993 had results that, on average, surpassed those whose directors owned less than $100,000. The same held true for 1991-1993.
1991-95 
Annual Performance
Companies Whose Directors Have
Small 
Stakes
Big 
Stakes
Total Return14.2%16.8%
Net Income Growth0.09.8
Earnings Per Share Growth0.06.8
Sales Growth5.511.1

The 10 companies whose directors in 1993 had the highest median stock ownership among the 449 studied (an average of $12.2 million, led by Berkshire Hathaway, lower right) also significantly outpaced, on average, the 10 whose outside directors held the lowest median amount of stock, just $11,400, in 1993. Valassis Communications directors had the smallest median stake.

LOWEST HOLDINGS
Valassis Communications, Hayes Wheel International, Armco, US Airways, Provident, Wynn's International, Atmos Energy, Varity, Central Maine Power, Gencorp
1991-95 
Annual Performance
Total Return7.3%
Net Income Growth0.0   
Earnings Per Share Growth0.0   
Sales Growth0.1   

HIGHEST HOLDINGS
Berkshire Hathaway, Coca-Cola, Chriscraft Industries, Werner Enterprises, Campbell Soup, Wal-Mart, Waste Management, Sciclone Pharmaceutical, Hillenbrand Industries, Wall Data
1991-95 
Annual Performance
Total Return14.0%
Net Income Growth14.4   
Earnings Per Share Growth11.3   
Sales Growth11.3   

Source: Sanjai Bhagat, University of Colorado at Boulder


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