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S&P 500 Industry Sector Comparison Chart

2021 U.S. Spencer Stuart Board Index

The U.S. Spencer Stuart Board Index examines the latest data and trends in board composition, board governance practices and director compensation among S&P 500 companies.

We have compiled key data from each S&P 500 sector into our Board Index Sector Comparison Chart below, where you can compare aggregated data by sector across a wide range of measures, including board composition, independent director representation, board leadership, organization and committees.

Board composition

Ethnic/racial background Ethnic/racial background CEO/chair/president/COO Audit committee Compensation committee Nominating committee
Sector
△		 Companies Average board size Ind. directors Average age Average tenure Women directors Has 2+ women directors Has 3+ women directors Black/AA Asian Hispanic/Latino Total under­repre­sented* Added 1+ director Added 1+ women Black/AA Asian Hispanic/Latino Total under­repre­sented* First-time directors Active Retired Separate chair/CEO Independent chair Lead/presiding director Staggered board Average board meetings Average committees Mandatory retirement Average retirement age Average size Average meetings Average size Average meetings Average size Average meetings
Communication Services 22 10.3 79% 61.3 7.8 28% 86% 55% 13% 5% 6% 43% 27% 50% 67% 17% 0% 100% 17% 17% 17% 68% 27% 68% 9% 9.9 3.8 36% 73 3.5 7.7 3.7 6.5 3.5 4.5
Consumer 94 11 84% 61.9 7.9 32% 96% 79% 11% 4% 6% 45% 65% 45% 34% 3% 10% 69% 38% 17% 12% 69% 36% 67% 10% 9.3 4 69% 73.2 4.4 8.1 4.1 6.2 4.3 4.7
Energy 22 10.5 86% 64.6 6.5 25% 100% 41% 7% 3% 4% 35% 64% 43% 10% 10% 5% 67% 5% 10% 29% 55% 41% 64% 9% 10.4 4 86% 74.1 4.9 7.4 4.5 5.6 4.6 4.3
Financials 63 12.4 87% 64.1 8.3 31% 100% 92% 12% 4% 5% 46% 63% 38% 31% 6% 6% 69% 37% 15% 13% 40% 27% 79% 5% 11.8 4.9 76% 73.8 5 10.5 4.8 6.6 4.7 5.4
Health Care 60 10.4 86% 63.5 8 30% 100% 75% 10% 6% 3% 44% 52% 52% 39% 9% 9% 77% 32% 14% 5% 53% 37% 72% 22% 8.7 4.2 65% 73.8 4 9.1 4 5.9 4.2 4.7
Industrials 101 10.7 87% 63.1 7.5 28% 96% 66% 11% 3% 4% 41% 62% 36% 29% 9% 3% 68% 37% 12% 15% 50% 33% 71% 13% 8.2 4.1 85% 73.9 4.7 7.6 4.7 5.8 4.8 4.5
Information Technology 74 9.8 86% 62.6 7.6 29% 91% 59% 7% 12% 3% 45% 57% 49% 30% 15% 6% 79% 28% 19% 8% 73% 50% 58% 9% 8.9 3.7 53% 73.5 4.1 8.7 3.9 6.9 3.8 4.7
Real Estate 29 10.3 84% 63.7 8.6 31% 100% 79% 9% 4% 4% 41% 52% 50% 43% 4% 11% 89% 43% 14% 11% 72% 45% 69% 3% 8.7 3.9 48% 74.4 4.4 7.3 4.1 5.3 4.3 4.4
Utilities 28 11.6 88% 63.8 7.5 30% 100% 89% 16% 2% 6% 45% 68% 39% 43% 0% 7% 68% 46% 4% 7% 54% 32% 82% 4% 10.7 5.1 89% 73.5 5.1 7.4 4.8 6 4.6 5
Total S&P 500 493 10.8 86% 63 7.8 30% 96% 72% 11% 5% 5% 43% 59% 43% 33% 7% 7% 72% 35% 14% 12% 59% 37% 70% 10% 9.4 4.2 70% 73.7 4.5 8.4 4.3 6.2 4.4 4.7

* Total underrepresented, defined as women and Black/African American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaska native or multiracial men

explore each s&p 500 sector in more detail

A breakdown of findings for each S&P 500 industry sector

Communication ServicesConsumerEnergyFinancialsHealthcareIndustrialsInformation TechnologyReal EstateUtilities

2021 U.S. Spencer Stuart Board Index

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