second team Michael Linenberg BofA Merrill Lynch
third team Garrett Chase Barclays
Jamie Baker of J.P. Morgan, who repeats at No. 1, “is superb — especially when it comes to making sense of companies’ balance sheets and their financial strengths and weaknesses,” attests one investor. Baker, 41, upgraded Houston-based Continental Airlines from neutral to overweight in June, saying a recent sell-off had left the shares attractively valued at $10.05. The stock had shot up to $13.27 by late August, a 32 percent advance that soared above the sector by 16.2 percentage points.
Holding steady in second place is BofA Merrill’s Michael Linenberg. “He has the most industry knowledge, and he’s timed his calls right more than wrong in the past year,” according to one money manager. One example: In February, Linenberg upgraded Chicago’s UAL Corp., parent company of United Air Lines, from neutral to buy at $5.42, on valuation. The stock climbed 14.9 percent, to $6.23, through August.
In third place for a second straight year is Garrett Chase, praised by clients for his “long-term vision” and “extreme attention to detail.” The Barclays Capital analyst upgraded JetBlue Airways Corp. in May, dubbing the Forest Hills, New York–based carrier’s shares a bargain at $4.95. The stock had surged 17.4 percent, to $5.81, by August 31.
Click here to see the All-America Research Team rankings.
