Mark Manduca & team, BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research

A move toward more trading ideas and less emphasis on pure earnings analyses helps the BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research crew — which last ranked in 2005 — shoot straight in to second place. The four-member team is led by London-based newcomer Mark Manduca, who “is truly passionate about making money for his clients,” attests one buy-side fan. The analysts upgraded Ireland’s Ryanair Holdings from neutral to buy in August, at €3.10, near the shares’ 12-month low, on rising earnings. The commuter airline’s stock had flown 17.1 percent, to €3.63, by the end of the year. “Mark is the most proactive analyst I know,” cheers another ally.