second team Gerald Bisbee Barclays
third team Kelly Flynn Credit Suisse
For a fifth straight year, Andrew Steinerman of J.P. Morgan takes top honors in the sector, which was expanded this year to include Education Services. Declining demand prompted Steinerman, 41, to issue a neutral rating on staffing companies MPS Group of Jacksonville, Florida, and Philadelphia-based CDI Corp. when he initiated coverage in June 2008. Through August 2009 the stocks were down 13.4 and 44.2 percent, respectively. During the same period the sector tumbled 26 percent. “Andrew is a die-hard — and he’s often right, too,” attests one backer.
Leaping from runner-up to second place is Gerald Bisbee of Barclays Capital. Grateful clients highlight his bullish stance on education stocks, especially a May 2008 upgrade of Lincoln Educational Services Corp., on rising demand. Shares of the West Orange, New Jersey–based supplier of career-oriented postsecondary training materials skyrocketed 105.6 percent, from $10.79 to $22.18, by late August 2009. “Gary has a special expertise,” affirms one champion.
Kelly Flynn of Credit Suisse repeats in third place. The Boston-based analyst downgraded ITT Educational Services of Carmel, Indiana, from outperform to neutral in April, on valuation. By August 31 the technology-oriented educator’s shares had slipped 1.8 percent. “She’s a smart analyst with a good sense of what moves stocks,” commends one ally.
Click here to see the All-America Research Team rankings.
