Hisaaki Yokoo
Goldman Sachs Japan Co.
Although he drops one notch back to third place, Hisaaki Yokoo of Goldman Sachs Japan Co. continues to impress clients with “helpful updates on Asian petrochemicals data and the competitive landscape,” as one money manager puts it. Last year was challenging, with the sector trailing the broad market by nearly 10 percentage points, but Yokoo believes a turnaround is imminent. “Domestic demand will gain momentum thanks to the stimulus package by the government, and a weak yen will improve the profitability of exports,” he says. Zeon Corp. is Yokoo’s top pick for the year; the Tokyo-based manufacturer of adhesives, latex, rubber and other products is the most profitable company in the petrochemicals sector, he explains, and investor concerns about its ability to sustain high margins are overstated in light of strong demand for liquid-crystal-display film used in smartphones and tablets.
— Leslie Kramer