“Brilliant at isolating the key variables affecting companies in his sector and understanding what drives their stock prices upward or downward” is one investor’s characterization of Sanford C. Bernstein & Co.’s Ali Dibadj. “He thinks like a good buy-sider,” the client adds. Those qualities land Dibadj, 38, in the top spot for a fifth consecutive year; he also is No. 2 in Beverages. As last year, the analyst remains focused on Procter & Gamble Co., whose shares he has rated a buy since August 2011, at $56.82. He has since 2008 argued that the Cincinnati-based consumer goods giant is in need of a structural overhaul. For example, in May 2012, Dibadj advised that the company should close its price gaps relative to peers, cut costs significantly, increase shareholder payouts and divest its portfolio. PG has begun to undertake nearly all these changes, and in the 12 months through August, its shares rose 20.1 percent, beating the sector by 5.1 percentage points. — Katie Gilbert |
The 2013 All-America Research Team: Cosmetics, Household & Personal Care Products, No. 1: Ali Dibadj
