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Leading the lineup for a fourth year in a row is Sanford C. Bernstein & Co.’s Ali Dibadj, who also claims a runner-up position in Beverages. “His thoughtful, detailed, polite-but-pointed criticism of weak management strategy has encouraged — if not directly caused — value-creating corporate change,” declares one advocate. One example: Procter & Gamble Co., the Cincinnati-based consumer goods giant. Dibadj, 38, upgraded the stock from neutral to buy in August 2011, at $59.43, telling clients that “the company would go through some tough times over the coming months but would realize it needed to do some restructuring — something we’ve been encouraging them to do since 2009.” Other analysts have since echoed Dibadj’s opinion, and in July, Pershing Square Capital Management bought a $1.8 billion stake in the company — prompting speculation that hedge fund manager William Ackman would add his voice to the chorus. By late August 2012, P&G shares had risen 13.1 percent, to $67.19, and led the sector by 1.8 percentage points. |
Consumer – Cosmetics, Household & Personal Care Products: First
