Deborah Weinswig
Deborah Weinswig
Deborah Weinswig Citi

second team Charles Grom J.P. Morgan

third team Michael Exstein Credit Suisse

Holding on to the No. 1 spot for a sixth consecutive year is Deborah Weinswig. The ­Citi researcher is “one of the most prolific analysts on Wall Street,” according to one investor. Weinswig, 39, who also ranks third in Retailing/Food & Drug Chains, upgraded Kohl’s Corp. in October 2008 after a monthlong sell-off had left the Menomonee Falls, ­Wisconsin–based department store’s shares a bargain-­priced $31.54. Through August the stock rang up gains of 63.6 percent, to $51.59, more than doubling the sector’s 30.7 percent advance.

Charles Grom of J.P. Morgan retains second place, for a second year in a row. Backers laud his extreme dedication: “From his jam-­packed management meeting calendar to his laser-­like focus on retail technology, no other analyst spends more of their days and nights helping clients,” extols one buy-­sider. Grom upgraded Saks to buy in April, at $3.54, telling investors that fears that the New York–based fashion retailer would declare bankruptcy were overstated. The stock had vaulted 72.3 percent, to $6.10, by August 31. ­

It’s three straight years in third place for Michael Exstein. The ­Credit ­Suisse analyst “really looks at where capital is flowing to understand the longer-­term direction of margins and returns,” explains one ally. Exstein down­graded Wal-Mart Stores of Benton­ville, Arkansas, from buy to neutral in January, at $50.56, on lackluster sales during the 2008 holiday season and increased competition from Minneapolis-­based Target Corp. Eight months later Wal-Mart’s share price had barely moved, closing at $50.87 on August 31.

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