SECOND TEAM Lauren Lieberman  Barclays Capital

Holding steady in second place for a third year running is Lauren Lieberman of Barclays Capital. Lieberman advised investors to buy Estée Lauder Cos. in November, making the case that the New York–based skin care and cosmetics manufacturer’s more “calculated and thoughtful” approach to growth would boost sales and profitability. Right on both counts. In August the company reported that year-over-year net sales had jumped 13 percent, to $8.8 billion, in fiscal 2011, which ended in June, and net earnings had rocketed 46.5 percent, from $478.3 million to $700.8 million. The stock bolted 37.3 percent, from $71.12 to $97.66, and outdistanced the sector by 34.3 percentage points, through August. “Lauren is able to sift through the noise very quickly and find the most salient, relevant issues for her stocks,” praises one buy-sider.