Categories: WSJ

CEOs Under 50 Are a Rare Find in the S&P 500

When he became chief executive of power-generation company NRG Energy Inc. more than three years ago, Mauricio Gutierrez said his selection raised eyebrows.

One reason: He is younger than most executives running S&P 500 companies. “I’m an outlier,” the 48-year-old said. “People take notice.”

At America’s largest companies, chief executives under 50 are still a relative rarity. A Wall Street Journal analysis of S&P 500 companies that filed corporate proxy statements by May 1 shows 28 of 493 CEOs, or 6%, are under 50.

Among members of Generation X in the top job: Nasdaq Inc.’s Adena Friedman, age 49, along with the chief executives of burrito chain burrito chain Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. and casino giant casino giant Wynn Resorts Ltd.

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