Jun Harada UBS
second team Hajime Hitotsuyanagi Daiwa
third team Naoko Matsumoto Citi
Jun Harada of UBS wears the crown for a ninth year in a row. The 39-year-old analyst is “the best stock picker in the sector,” according to one pleased investor. One example: Harada initiated coverage in March 2009 with a sell recommendation on Kintetsu Corp., at ¥430, on valuation. The railway provider’s stock screeched to ¥281 through February, a loss of 34.7 percent that trailed the sector by 33.9 points.
Holding steady in second place for a sixth straight year is Daiwa’s Hajime Hitotsuyanagi, who “makes his opinions clear,” as one backer puts it. In June, Hitotsuyanagi downgraded Nippon Yusen K.K. to neutral, at ¥447, citing falling freight rates. Through February the marine transporter’s stock plunged 28 percent, to ¥322, while the sector sank 20.3 percent.
Citi’s Naoko Matsumoto repeats at No. 3. Supporters stress her “excellent breadth of knowledge” and “quick responsiveness to questions.” In July, Matsumoto upgraded Mitsui O.S.K. Lines from hold to buy, at ¥555, largely on valuation. That was early, as shares of the container ship and oil tanker operator settled to ¥458 in December before rallying to ¥573 by the end of February. Nevertheless, she captured a 3.2 percent gain, beating the sector index by 9.6 points.
