Advancing from second place, Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Justin Post, 44, seizes No. 1 for the first time. The San Francisco–based analyst’s coverage spans 32 stocks, and Post says that number will likely climb this year, thanks to new listings. “Justin pays attention to the changing dynamics surrounding his companies in a very volatile group of stocks,” cheers one advocate, and “is unique in his ability to connect themes, valuations and stock picks.” Post began covering Menlo Park, California–based social-networking service provider Facebook in June 2012 with a neutral rating, at $33.10, and a cautious view on revenue trends. He upgraded the shares to buy in October, at $23.23, citing significant changes in mobile revenue. “Much like the PC revolution of the ’80s and ’90s, the mobile Internet will create a number of compelling investment opportunities,” he believes. Since October the stock rocketed 77.7 percent, to $41.29, through August. Post covered technology stocks at Deutsche Bank Alex. Brown and San Francisco–based money manager McMorgan and Co. before joining BofA Merrill in 2004. He holds an MBA from the Anderson School of Management at the University of California, Los Angeles. — Pam Baker |
The 2013 All-America Research Team: Internet, No. 1: Justin Post
