SECOND TEAM Edward Kelly Credit Suisse
Edward Kelly “has followed the companies so closely over the many years that he understands the nuances of what they are saying and going through — that’s what differentiates him from the pack,” proclaims one buy-side backer. The Credit Suisse analyst, who wins second place for a third year running, urged clients to buy Kroger Co. in December, at $20.40, on the belief that “sales and earnings would improve in 2011 as the industry stabilized, inflation and share gains accelerated and promotional discipline returned after a challenging period for the industry.” He was right. Last month the Cincinnati-based supermarket operator reported that year-over-year sales rose 11.5 percent, to $20.9 billion, in its second quarter, which ended August 13, and net income rose 7.3 percent, to $280.8 million. Kroger’s stock shot up 15.5 percent, to $23.56.