THIRD TEAM
Alan Erskine UBS
UBS analyst Alan Erskine returns to third place after having spent last year in the runner-up position. Valued for his “strong predictive abilities,” according to one portfolio manager, the solo analyst upgraded Nestlé way back in October 2009, at Sf43.57, forecasting that when the Switzerland-based food manufacturer sold its remaining stake in Alcon, which makes contact lenses and related eye-care products, it would use the proceeds to pay down debt and buy back shares. Good call. In January 2010, Novartis announced plans to exercise its option to buy Nestlé’s share of Alcon — a deal that had been in the works since 2008 — for $28.3 billion. (The sale was completed in August.) At the same time, Nestlé unveiled a new share-buyback program, worth at least Sf10 billion ($10.4 billion). Its stock ended 2010 at Sf54.75, up 25.7 percent since Erskine’s recommendation.