Rodrigo Góes, Renato Mimica & team BTG Pactual

Unranked last year, the BTG Pactual trio under Rodrigo Góes and Renato Mimica finishes third; these leaders also direct the top team in Transportation. The analysts, who follow 20 companies from their offices in São Paulo, initiated coverage on Brazil-based Iochpe-Maxion in September 2011 with a buy, at 18.71 reais, on its diversified exposure to agricultural machinery, buses, cars, trains and trucks in China, Latin America and the U.S. The stock zipped ahead 13.4 percent, to 21.22 reais, through mid-July. The researchers continue to recommend it, based on a recovery in commercial-vehicle production. “This is an up-and-coming team,” declares one stalwart. — Ben Mattlin

RUNNER(S)-UP
Sara Delfim, Murilo Freiberger & team Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Renata Faber & team Itaú BBA
Nicolai Sebrell & team Morgan Stanley