Richard Chamberlain & team
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Rising one rung to second place is the Bank of America Merrill Lynch duo under Richard Chamberlain. The London-based analysts follow 18 companies, three more than last year. “In a low-growth world, we favor companies with self-help or structural growth,” Chamberlain says, “and we would avoid companies where we think consensus estimates are too high.” In December the team dubbed Marks & Spencer Group a top pick for this year, on expectations that the U.K.-based department store operator will benefit from its enhanced online presence, among other factors. The researchers are urging investors to steer clear of outfits with significant exposure to France’s dampening economy; Kingfisher, a home improvement retailer headquartered in the U.K., is one example. It’s “strong research” like this that earns gratitude from one New York–based pension fund manager. — Katie Gilbert