< The 2014 All-China Research Team

Total Appearances: 5

Analyst Debut: 2010It’s four years in a row in first place for David Cui, 46. “David sets himself apart by focusing on the imbalances in the Chinese economy and then guiding investors to position themselves appropriately,” attests one portfolio manager. In December 2013 the Singapore-based Bank of America Merrill Lynch strategist predicted a “lukewarm” year ahead for China’s stocks, projecting that a high degree of corporate debt would serve as one drag on performance. Sure enough, year to date through late November, China’s H shares declined 2.9 percent, and the wider Chinese market ticked down 0.5 percent. One exception, however, has been the defense industry, which he dubbed “one of our top buy themes” in January, citing increased spending, especially in light of China’s “tensions with Japan and in the South China Sea.” Though he doesn’t rate individual companies, Cui named Avic Heavy Machinery Co., a Guiyang-based supplier of hydraulic pumps and motors for aircraft equipment, and Beijing’s North Navigation Control Technology Co. — which manufactures electronic-integration, mechanical and optical systems — as examples of likely beneficiaries of this trend. By late last month the stocks had soared 87.7 percent and 92.5 percent, respectively, in 2014, to 23.43 yuan and 25.28 yuan. “David is always thought-provoking and makes me relook at my assumptions,” comments another backer.