The 2013 All-China Research Team: Public Utilities, Second: Junhua Chen

Junhua Chen of China International Capital Corp. joins the lineup in second place. From her base in Shanghai, Chen reports on 35 companies with what one portfolio manager terms a “clear view of fundamentals, trends and relevant government policy changes.” In October 2012, she reiterated her buy rating on Beijing Originwater Technology Co. Although the Beijing-based sewage treatment provider and facilities developer’s stock had already advanced 56.5 percent year to date in 2012, she insisted that the company’s rapidly rising revenues and profits would drive the share price even higher. She was right. By the end of October 2013, Beijing Originwater had soared 75.9 percent higher, to HK$42, and trounced the sector by 35.7 percentage points. It remains recommended because “we retain an optimistic view of the wastewater treatment sector,” she says. Still on that theme, Chen also favors Beijing Enterprises Water Group, a Hong Kong–based environmental protection facilities supplier. At HK$3.44 in late October, the stock is undervalued, she believes. — Ben Mattlin