< The 2014 All-Europe Research Team
Deutsche Bank seizes its first top finish, advancing from second place under the guidance of Mark Braley, 41. Reporting on 180 names, his London-based team of 45 analysts favors biopharmaceuticals company Shire, which is headquartered in Dublin and whose shares trade in London and New York. The biopharmaceuticals company’s “robust sales growth and tight cost management,” says Braley, coupled with its imminent acquisition of U.S.-based rare-disease drugmaker ViroPharma should propel its earnings per share growth from 14 percent to 17 percent by 2017. (The $4.2 billion deal was expected to close late last month.) Moreover, the stock’s estimated 2015 price-earnings ratio of 13 is in line with those of large-cap pharmaceuticals, well behind the value of at least 16 projected for comparable midcaps. Rated buy, the London Stock Exchange–listed shares closed 2013 at 2,852 pence, and the squad foresees a 35 percent upside. One fan in Denmark praises the researchers for their “good effort in connecting us with different companies everywhere in Europe, not just the U.K.,” as well as their broad economic stance, which advised caution despite progress made since the beginning of last year. After a six-year stint covering publishing names at Cazenove & Co., Braley joined Deutsche Bank in 2004; he also leads a runner-up team in Media this year. He assumed leadership of the U.K. equity research team in 2011. He earned a BA in economics and politics from England’s University College, Durham. See also Mark Braley's profiles in the 2013 All-Europe Research Team and 2012 All-Europe Research Team. |
