< The 2014 All-Europe Research Team Richard ChamberlainRetailing/GeneralBank of America
Merrill Lynch
Bank of America Merrill Lynch captured third place in Retailing/General in 2012, the year that Richard Chamberlain took charge of the team. Last year the London-based analyst led the group up one level to second place, and this year guides them all the way to the top. It’s the first time the firm has led this lineup in 17 years.
“I have always had a strong interest in investment and markets, and I love the challenge of it,” he says. “Plus, I like the social side of the job as well.”
Chamberlain will have plenty of opportunities to interact with clients in the year ahead. Although market participants are more optimistic about European equities than they’ve been in years, the region’s economic recovery is still fragile, and investors remain anxious.
“The main questions and concerns have been around the consumer outlook, valuation and monetary policy,” the 39-year-old observes. “We have been urging clients to expect more of a stock picker’s market in 2014 and focus on buying stocks with likely earnings upgrades and those with further structural rerating potential — and avoid shares which lack earnings momentum.”
What aspects of being an equity analyst does Chamberlain enjoy most? “The best part of the job for me is the variety, being right and helping people make money,” he responds. “My least favorite part is the early starts — but I’ve gotten used to them by now!”Read His Profile
