Northern Star Resources Limited's (ASX:NST) CEO Looks Like They Deserve Their Pay Packet

Key Insights

• Northern Star Resources to hold its Annual General Meeting on 18th of November
• Total pay for CEO Stuart Tonkin includes AU$1.81m salary
• The total compensation is similar to the average for the industry
• Northern Star Resources' total shareholder return over the past three years was 169% while its EPS grew by 34% over the past three years

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It would be hard to discount the role that CEO Stuart Tonkin has played in delivering the impressive results at Northern Star Resources Limited (ASX:NST) recently. Shareholders will have this at the front of their minds in the upcoming AGM on 18th of November. The focus will probably be on the future company strategy as shareholders cast their votes on resolutions such as executive remuneration and other matters. In light of the great performance, we discuss the case why we think CEO compensation is not excessive.

View our latest analysis for Northern Star Resources

How Does Total Compensation For Stuart Tonkin Compare With Other Companies In The Industry?

At the time of writing, our data shows that Northern Star Resources Limited has a market capitalization of AU$36b, and reported total annual CEO compensation of AU$5.8m for the year to June 2025. That's a notable decrease of 21% on last year. We think total compensation is more important but our data shows that the CEO salary is lower, at AU$1.8m.

On comparing similar companies in the Australian Metals and Mining industry with market capitalizations above AU$12b, we found that the median total CEO compensation was AU$5.3m. This suggests that Northern Star Resources remunerates its CEO largely in line with the industry average. What's more, Stuart Tonkin holds AU$6.3m worth of shares in the company in their own name, indicating that they have a lot of skin in the game.

Component	2025	2024	Proportion (2025)
Salary	AU$1.8m	AU$1.7m	31%
Other	AU$4.0m	AU$5.6m	69%
Total Compensation	AU$5.8m	AU$7.3m	100%

On an industry level, roughly 68% of total compensation represents salary and 32% is other remuneration. Northern Star Resources pays a modest slice of remuneration through salary, as compared to the broader industry. If total compensation is slanted towards non-salary benefits, it indicates that CEO pay is linked to company performance.

A Look at Northern Star Resources Limited's Growth Numbers

Northern Star Resources Limited's earnings per share (EPS) grew 34% per year over the last three years. Its revenue is up 30% over the last year.

Overall this is a positive result for shareholders, showing that the company has improved in recent years. Most shareholders would be pleased to see strong revenue growth combined with EPS growth. This combo suggests a fast growing business. Looking ahead, you might want to check this free visual report on analyst forecasts for the company's future earnings..

Has Northern Star Resources Limited Been A Good Investment?

We think that the total shareholder return of 169%, over three years, would leave most Northern Star Resources Limited shareholders smiling. This strong performance might mean some shareholders don't mind if the CEO were to be paid more than is normal for a company of its size.

In Summary...

Given the company's decent performance, the CEO remuneration policy might not be shareholders' central point of focus in the AGM. Instead, investors might be more interested in discussions that would help manage their longer-term growth expectations such as company business strategies and future growth potential.

CEO compensation is a crucial aspect to keep your eyes on but investors also need to keep their eyes open for other issues related to business performance. That's why we did some digging and identified 1 warning sign for Northern Star Resources that investors should think about before committing capital to this stock.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking at a different set of stocks. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.