Sunil Garg & team J.P. Morgan
After two years in the runner-up position, J.P. Morgan climbs to third place. Sunil Garg spearheads a group of 44 analysts who cover 235 companies. They are hailed by one client for “top-notch management access — even arranging meetings during the companies’ usual ‘blackout’ periods, which is one month before an earnings release.” The researchers also earn points for pounding the table on Hutchison Whampoa in November, on a price dip to HK$66.15, dubbing it a top pick partly on an anticipated turnaround in its wireless third-generation business. Shares of the diversified telecommunications and e-commerce operator jumped 17.3 percent, to HK$77.60, and bested the broad market by 2.2 percentage points, through March. The analysts remain bullish. — Ben Mattlin