Back on top after a year in second place is the UBS team directed by Philipp Zieschang, 42. The Zurich-based crew numbers nine analysts, down from 11 last year, and they continue to report on 85 Swiss companies. Favorites for the year include specialty-chemicals manufacturer Clariant, on the belief that efforts under way to sell noncore assets and streamline operations will boost the Muttenz-based company's profitability. The stock ended December at Sf12.36; the researchers believe it will climb to Sf15. Also recommended: private banker Julius Baer Group, which is headquartered in Zurich. The team believes that the recent acquisition of Merrill Lynch's non-U.S. global wealth management operations will spur growth in new markets and propel revenues. That stock, which was trading at Sf32.33 at year-end, has a target price of Sf39. "They really know how to combine sectors, including the accounting and regulatory side," says one supporter. "The result is that they bring all their specialists together and link up themes with individual stocks." — Paul Sweeney |
Western European Countries – Switzerland : First
