Except that PayPal posted a strong earnings report in Q4 2015 (<a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;techcrunch.com&#x2F;2016&#x2F;01&#x2F;27&#x2F;paypal-shares-up-on-earnings-revenue-rises-17&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;techcrunch.com&#x2F;2016&#x2F;01&#x2F;27&#x2F;paypal-shares-up-on-earning...</a>). So this is just a coincidence of timing (new year, etc.).<p>My point is, I seriously doubt the CTO was forced out or left because he thought his stock was worthless. He is most likely leaving for any of the million other reasons people leave companies every day.