The buy side says: “Craig is a fearless intellectual who provides brilliant, in-depth analysis.”
Craig Moffett rules the roost for a fifth year running; the 48-year-old analyst is also ranked third in Telecom Services. Hailed by one investor for his “spot-on predictions on share gains at cable companies,” the Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. researcher urged clients to buy Time Warner Cable way back in July 2008, well ahead of its spin-off from parent Time Warner. He reiterated his stance in April 2009, at $27.06, citing the New York–based cable TV, Internet and phone service provider’s improving cash flow, broadband technological advantage and debt-reduction strategy. In May 2010, after the stock had flown to $48.90 — a stunning 80.7 percent gain that outpaced the sector by 42.1 percentage points — he finally pulled the plug, on fears of price regulation by the Federal Communications Commission. He may have tuned out too soon; TWC’s stock continued to rise, ending August up 5.5 percent higher, at $51.57. As one backer notes, however, “Craig is not afraid to have a nonconsensus view of the world. He has accurately predicted declines in business at telecom companies and the path of regulation that is currently being pursued by the FCC.”
