< The 2015 All-Europe Research Team
Benjamin Fidler & team
Deutsche Bank
First-place appearances: 4
Total appearances: 13
Team debut: 2000
Deutsche Bank captures second place, slipping from the top spot it held in 2014 and 2013. Working from London, Benjamin Fidler guides a two-strong squad that has “a well-rounded view of the sector and [is] able to explain developments enthusiastically to the layman,” attests one fund manager. “Even when I disagree with Ben, I enjoy running through the issues with him.” The 44-year-old analyst and his teammate continue to advise investors to sell Britain’s Rolls-Royce Holdings, primarily because the U.K.-based aircraft engine manufacturer’s earnings have been declining. The researchers downgraded the stock from hold in July 2013, at 1,200.39p, on disappointing results, and their bearish views remain unchanged. Over the 12 months through last month, Rolls-Royce’s shares plunged 22.2 percent, lagging Europe’s aerospace and defense shares by 25.1 percentage points, to close at 891.50p. The analysts deem that value still too rich and peg the stock at 655p.
