Paula Kovarsky & team  Itaú Securities

Paula Kovarsky, who according to one impressed investor “really understand companies, both bottom-up and top-down,” shepherds the three-strong Itaú Securities team all the way from runner-up to second place; Kovarsky, who is headquartered in São Paulo, also co-leads the No. 3 team in Agribusiness.

The trio’s best calls include a June upgrade to buy on the preferred shares of Braskem, at R11.70, making the case that the Brazilian petrochemicals manufacturer would enjoy improved margins and operational efficiencies as a result of its January acquisition of former rival Quattor Petroquímica. Braskem’s stock had jumped 12.9 percent, to R13.21, by the end of July. “For me she’s the best analyst in the sector — certainly for investment insights,” cheers one buy-side backer.