Who Are the 10 Lowest-Rated CEOs in the S&P 500?

We asked CEORater AI a simple question: "Who are the CEOs with the 10 lowest CEORaterScores?" The result surfaces a consistent pattern of prolonged underperformance across multiple sectors.

What the List Signals

These CEOs generally combine weak shareholder returns with poor compensation alignment. Their average annual TSR vs. SPY falls in a deeply negative band, roughly from -21% to -35%, signaling sustained market lag rather than a single short-term drawdown.

At the bottom of the list, Robert J. Thomson (NWSA) posts an AlphaScore of 3, a 3-year revenue CAGR of -6.6%, and TSR vs. SPY of -449% over roughly 12.7 years. The healthcare names show a similar pattern of post-pandemic compression: Stephane Bancel (MRNA) at -53.1% 3-year revenue CAGR and Albert Bourla (PFE) at -14.6%.

Compensation alignment is also weak across the group: all 10 carry CompScore F except Bancel, who carries a D. None are founder CEOs, and the average tenure is approximately 8.7 years, suggesting boards have tolerated multi-year underperformance before making leadership changes.

The underperformance is broad-based across sectors, including Communication Services, Healthcare, Basic Materials, Energy, Technology, Real Estate, and Consumer Defensive.

For methodology details, visit our Methodology page.