The Bank of America Merrill Lynch team of three under Andrew Stott wins a third straight appearance in the No. 2 spot. The London-based analysts track 22 stocks, one more than a year ago. In light of ongoing weak consumption trends in Europe, they have been especially bullish on the diversified and agricultural subsectors, and they remain so going into 2013. Accordingly, a favorite stock is Belgium’s Solvay, a top pick since January 2012 as a bargain at €62.73, thanks to its global reach, strong dividend yield and improving balance sheet. By the end of the year, shares of the producer of soda ash, specialty polymers and other materials for the consumer and construction markets had soared a whopping 74.3 percent, to €109.35. “Their stock picks have helped us make money,” applauds one buy-side counterpart in London. — Ben Mattlin |
Basic Materials – Chemicals: Second