Sakthi Siva & team Credit Suisse
Repeating in second place is the Credit Suisse duo directed by Singapore-based Sakthi Siva. “I like her consistent, bottom-up approach — it’s a framework that provides a reality check,” attests one backer. The strategists believe that the next market rally is “likely to be driven by earnings revisions,” the team leader says, with upgrades expected in the third quarter and earnings overall expected to be 40 percent higher at the end of 2012 than they were at the end of 2007. Another key issue for the year is Europe. “While the immediate tail and systemic risk has receded, Europe still has a long way to go in the deleveraging process,” explains Siva, who also wins praise from one devotee for her “willingness to be vocal and share her opinions when times are uncertain. That’s when her voice is most needed — and she delivers.” — Carolyn Koo