Nasdaq, the leading US stock market for technology stocks, awarded its chairman Mr Frank Zarb a $6 million bonus for last year despite the index losing 39 per cent of its value.
The bonus was disclosed in a filing made with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Mr Zarb, who was chief executive until February 1st, was also paid a salary of $1,333,333 last year, according to the filing. He was paid other compensation that included $221,735 for the purchase of a home.
Last Thursday Nasdaq announced its intention to become a publicly traded company. This could make it the first US stock market to go public.
Details such as how many shares it would float, the price per share, and which underwriters would manage the initial public offering were not given.
Mr Zarb and other officials said the timing of the initial public offering will depend on how the SEC reacts to its application for an exchange status, technological progress and market conditions.