THIRD TEAM Hugh Wynne Jr. Sanford C. Bernstein & Co.
Hugh Wynne Jr., who slips to third place after two years at No. 2, continues to earn acclaim for “quality, in-depth research that is topical and timely,” in the words of one money manager. The Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. analyst receives special kudos for his July 2010 report on the Environmental Protection Agency’s impact on the sector, “The Long View: Forthcoming EPA Emissions Regulations Will Force Power & Capacity Prices Higher — Who Will Benefit?” Wynne concluded that new rules would prompt utilities companies to close smaller coal-fired power plants by 2015 and rely instead on less-polluting but more-expensive natural-gas-powered plants. The result? Higher utilities bills for consumers and healthier profits for companies like Akron, Ohio–based FirstEnergy Corp., whose stock sizzled up 35.6 percent, from $32.64 to $44.25, and outpaced the sector by 17.4 percentage points, through August 2011.