Nico Lambrechts & team, BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research
Nico Lambrechts and his five-strong team at BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research spent the past two years in the runner-up spot but this year rise to third place; the London-based team, which also takes second in Beverages, follows 23 companies, including some in the food producers and the household and personal care products sectors. “They are always on top of the latest consumer trends, and this insight informs their recommendations,” asserts one buy-side ally. The analysts urged clients to buy Swedish Match in August, at 227.40 Swedish kronor, on valuation, among other factors. By the end of the year, the chewing tobacco and snuff manufacturer’s stock had wafted up 7.4 percent, to Skr244.30.