Andrew Wood, 48, pilots the Sanford C. Bernstein foursome to a fourth straight appearance in first place; he also leads the top-ranked team in Food Producers for a fourth year running. Working with analysts in London and New York, the Singapore-based team leader believes that this sector is positioned to grow 5 to 6 percent over the medium term, although the increasing threat of competition from local players will force multinationals to invest in innovation and brand equity, he says. One example of the latter is Reckitt Benckiser Group. Throughout much of last year, the team argued that the U.K.-based personal care products manufacturer would enjoy significant growth if it were to expand its product offerings in the consumer health space; in November the company outbid Germany's Bayer to acquire Schiff Nutrition International, a U.S.-based maker of vitamins and nutritional supplements. (The $1.4 billion deal was completed in December.) In early January the analysts reiterated their buy on the stock — which they have been recommending since April 2011 — with Wood noting that Reckitt is at an "inflection point in performance." — Katie Gilbert |
Consumer – Household & Personal Care Products : First
