CEO departures reach 114 in February

After reaching an eight-month high of 134 in January, CEO exits fell 14.9 percent last month to 114, according to the latest report on CEO turnover by Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. 

February chief executive officer departures were 10.2 percent lower than the 127 changes recorded in February 2007.  

The health care industry saw the heaviest CEO turnover for the third straight month, with 23 changes.  Financial institutions followed with 14 CEO departures, and the computer and government/non-profit sectors took third and fourth place with 13 and 12 exits, respectively.

Challenger recorded 46 CEO resignations last month. Twenty-four retired and another 20 stepped down from their CEO posts, but stayed with the company in another capacity, typically as a member of the board.