Andrew Stott & team, BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research
The BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research trio under Andrew Stott repeats at second. The London-based team leader “has breadth and depth,” declares one client. “Too many analysts give you their top picks, but then, when you start asking detailed questions, they excuse themselves. Not Andrew Stott.” Others applaud a long-standing nod to French specialty-chemicals producer Rhodia. The team initiated coverage in February 2008 with a valuation-based buy rating, at €18.78, and pounded the table in February 2011, at €20.08, on increased capacity, among other factors. In April, Belgian soda ash producer Solvay announced plans to acquire the company for €3.4 billion ($4.8 billion), a 50 percent premium to Rhodia’s closing price the day before the deal was announced. The acquisition was completed in August. “The team has had excellent stock selection,” affirms another devotee.