The 2013 All-America Research Team: Beverages, No. 2: Ali Dibadj

Ali Dibadj rockets from runner-up to second place. The Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. analyst also is tops in Cosmetics, Household & Personal Care. Despite the sector’s challenges, which include health-and-wellness issues and competitive pricing on bottled water, Dibadj says he is positive on the space as long as its companies remain focused on “expanding the profit pool, as opposed to beating each other up for market share.” PepsiCo is his top pick, and in February he advised clients of his short-term concerns about the Purchase, New York–based soft drinks and snack foods giant while defending a long-term positive stance. Dibadj argued that if the company made some pricing changes and divested some assets, it would be much better poised for the long term — and he believed that management had indicated a willingness to take such steps. From the February call through August, the stock climbed 9 percent, from $73.15 to $79.73, eclipsing the sector by 3.8 percentage points. “Ali does a great job applying his knowledge base from strategic consulting to the discussion on what companies are doing right and what they could do better,” opines one investor. — Katie Gilbert