Activist Investors’ Strategy Demands See US CEOs Depart Quicker

Chief executive officers in the US are heading for the exits faster in battles with activist investors, according to a report from Barclays Plc.

In its third-quarter review of shareholder activism, the bank found that CEO turnover in the US is increasing as a result of campaigns, with about 21% of targeted company bosses resigning within a year. That compares with a 12% market average for the last two years.

“Activist shareholders are holding CEOs accountable in 2024 for underperformance,” said Jim Rossman, global head of shareholder activism and advisory defense at Barclays. “The time to departure from ...