Fernando Ferreira & team Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Falling from first to third is the Bank of America Merrill Lynch threesome guided by New York–based Fernando Ferreira, who also co-leads the No. 2 team in Food & Beverages. Ferreira — dubbed “the dean of agribusiness” by one buy-side supporter — and his associates win points for initiating coverage on grain-producer Adecoagro in December with a buy. Judging shares of the agricultural giant — which has farms spread across Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, but is headquartered in Luxembourg — a bargain at $8.12, the analysts accurately predicted that a rise in corn and soybean prices would bolster earnings. By mid-July, Adecoagro’s stock had bolted 21.4 percent, to $9.86. The team is also bullish on Cosan, arguing that the Brazil-based sugar and ethanol producer still trades at a discount to its peers.
RUNNER(S)-UP Alessandro Baldoni & team, Deutsche Bank Securities
Thiago Duarte & team, BTG Pactual
Javier Martínez de Olcoz & team, Morgan Stanley