CEO turnover dropped in February

CHICAGO, March 10 (UPI) -- Turnover at the head office in U.S. companies dropped sharply in February compared with the same month a year ago, a consulting firm said Thursday.

Challenger, Gray & Christmas said 92 chief executive officers left their jobs in February, compared with 96 in January and 132 in February of 2010.

The largest group of departures, 25 of them, was attributed to retirement, while 23 "simply resigned," the firm said. Sixteen "stepped down" while four departed due to some type of scandal, Challenger, Gray & Christmas said.