Dell Awards COO Clarke $132 Million in Performance-Linked Stock Options

Dell Technologies Awards COO Jeff Clarke $132.4 Million in Stock Options

Dell Technologies Inc. has granted Chief Operating Officer Jeff Clarke a special performance-based stock options award estimated to be worth $132.4 million in 2031, provided the company meets its annual performance goals. This is part of Clarke's total compensation for the recent fiscal year, which amounts to $154.3 million, as disclosed by the company in a filing on Monday.

The stock options grant was issued on September 30 as a one-time award, allowing Clarke to purchase 2.5 million Dell Class C shares. These shares will vest on March 15, 2031, subject to the achievement of a market capitalization performance goal and an adjusted free cash flow performance goal, as well as Clarke's continued employment through the vesting date.

The decision to grant Clarke the stock options reflects Dell's strong conviction in his leadership and his central role in positioning the company for long-term success. This award is unique, as no other company executive received a grant of this size or duration.

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Dell's stock performance has been a significant factor in the company's recent success. In February, Dell shares jumped the most in two years on enthusiasm for the sales prospects of its artificial intelligence servers. These servers house chips that run AI workloads for companies like CoreWeave Inc. and Nscale Global Holdings Ltd., as well as corporate clients and major AI providers. As of Monday, the stock closed at $211.64 in New York and has gained 68% this year.

Note: Stock gain percentages for CoreWeave Inc. and Nscale Global Holdings Ltd. are not provided in the original text.