J.P. Morgan’s John Faucher headlines the roster for a fifth year running. “John has been following the beverages companies long enough to separate reality from company propaganda, and he knows the operating side well,” cheers one client. Faucher, 44, is mostly bearish on the sector. He downgraded SodaStream International’s New York–listed shares from buy to neutral in May, at $64.83, explaining that he expects the Israeli manufacturer of home beverage carbonation systems to see slowing topline growth in the U.S. as it completes the rollout it began a year earlier in American locations of Bentonville, Arkansas–based Wal-Mart Stores. Faucher had upgraded SodaStream to buy from neutral in September 2011, at $37.73, deeming the market too skeptical about the company’s U.S. business. While the shares were rated a buy, they rocketed 71.8 percent. The stock subsequently tumbled 3.6 percent, through August. “He calls it like he sees it, regardless of ratings,” contends one advocate. “He does not have an agenda.” Faucher also earns a runner-up position in Cosmetics, Household & Personal Care Products. — Katie Gilbert |
The 2013 All-America Research Team: Beverages, No. 1: John Faucher
