James Crandell
James Crandell
James Crandell Barclays

second team Ole Slorer Morgan Stanley

third team Michael LaMotte J.P. Morgan

In the winner’s circle for a fourth consecutive year, James Crandell of Barclays Capital “has a real passion for his companies,” says one client. In November the 56-year-old analyst published a report directing investor attention to outfits with strong international growth prospects and attractive valuations, such as compression-­systems manufacturer Cameron International Corp. of Houston. The stock catapulted 114.1 percent, from $16.68 to $35.71, and outdistanced the sector by 65.8 percentage points, through August.

Ole Slorer is in second place for a third year running. The Morgan Stanley analyst ­“doesn’t follow the pack — he leads it,” cheers one supporter. Slorer initiated coverage of Carbo Ceramics in May with a buy recommendation, at $30.12, citing strong growth prospects for the Irving, ­Texas–­based manufacturer of proppants, which are used to prevent exploratory fissures in rock from closing. In late July, after the stock had advanced 36.7 percent, to $41.18, Slorer downgraded it to hold, on valuation. By August 31 the share price had inched up to $43.05.

J.P. Morgan’s Michael LaMotte repeats in third place. “He is able to step away from the ‘here and now’ and look at what the companies are doing — not saying — in search of real relative investment ideas,” avers one port­folio man­ager. One such idea: January’s buy recommendation on Switzerland’s Weatherford International, at $11.16, based on valuation and strong recovery prospects for the oil-field ser­vices provider. The stock had soared 78.8 percent, to $19.95, by the end of August.

Click here to see the All-America Research Team rankings.