Although the team of six at Morgan Stanley sinks to third place after three years on top, the London-based analysts continue to win praise for “sensible stock picks that have been positive contributors to my fund’s performance,” in the words of one appreciative investor. Early last year, Penelope Butcher took the reins from Menno Sanderse, who moved over to cover metals and mining, and expanded the group’s universe by two, to 39 companies. The team launched coverage on the Netherlands’ Royal Vopak with an overweight rating in June, at €46.01, telling clients that the oil-tank operator was well positioned to leverage a rise in petroleum-storage outsourcing. The stock bubbled up 15.9 percent, to €53.31, but trailed the sector by 4 percentage points, through December. — Ben Mattlin |
Industrials – Transport: Third