Deutsche Bank leads the lineup for a third year running — and for the fifth time since 2005, when Timothy Jones assumed the role of team leader. Known for "frequent and timely insights," as one pension fund manager puts it, the London-based threesome follows 26 stocks. Their recommendations for the year include Switzerland's Syngenta, largely on rising earnings from its seeds business, and Germany's BASF, owing to its €1 billion ($1.33 billion) cost-cutting program and upcoming share buybacks. Syngenta is a maker of herbicides and insecticides, and BASF is a diversified specialty and commodities chemicals giant. Both have been top picks since December 2011, at Sf270.80 and €52.46, respectively. Through December 2012 the shares had advanced 35.4 percent, to Sf366.70, and 35.6 percent, to €71.15, respectively. Jones, 40, says the challenge in the year ahead is to avoid "unrealistic forecasts for 'hockey stick' recoveries." — Ben Mattlin |
Basic Materials – Chemicals : First
