Leader of the pack since his 2009 debut, Barclays’s Andrew Kaplowitz “is especially helpful at sifting through the winners and losers,” one portfolio manager says. The 40-year-old covers 11 names in this sector and 11 in Machinery, where he scores a runner-up spot. Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. is among his most liked here. In August 2012, when the Netherlands-based diversified engineering giant announced plans to acquire Louisiana rival Shaw Group, expanding its exposure to energy markets, Kaplowitz reiterated his long-standing overweight. The New York–listed stock had catapulted 71 percent, from $34.99 to $61.37, by the end of August 2013. It paced the sector by 42.9 percentage points, and the researcher still recommends CBI as “likely to win significant U.S. petrochemicals and liquefied-natural-gas work,” he says. Another fan notes that “Andy’s insights into project awards really stand out.” On this front, Kaplowitz favors Coral Gables, Florida’s MasTec, citing a streak of new projects the communications infrastructure builder has won. Overweighted since August 2010, the shares bolted 75.7 percent in the 12 months through August 2013, while the sector gained 24.1 percent. — Ben Mattlin |
The 2013 All-America Research Team: Engineering & Construction, No. 1: Andrew Kaplowitz
