Core Insights - The U.S. is experiencing an unprecedented wave of CEO departures, with 1,358 CEOs leaving in the first half of the year, a 9% increase from the previous year, marking the highest level since 2002 [1] - The turnover rate for CEOs in publicly traded companies has reached a 20-year high, with at least 41 CEOs leaving S&P 500 companies by July, compared to 49 for the entire previous year [1] - Factors contributing to this high turnover include economic uncertainty, changing corporate values, tariffs, regulatory changes, evolving consumer behavior, and rapid implementation of new technologies [1] Industry Impact - The government and non-profit sector has seen the highest CEO turnover, with 286 departures, followed by technology (149) and healthcare (133) [3] - The consumer goods sector experienced 41 CEO departures, while retail saw 38, both representing a 100% increase from the previous year due to declining consumer confidence and tariff impacts [4] Leadership Trends - There is a notable trend of companies opting for interim successors, with 33% of new CEOs being temporarily appointed in the first half of the year, compared to only 9% in the same period last year [4] - The turnover rate for CFOs has also reached a historical high of 56%, influenced by rising retirement rates and the record CEO turnover [4]