THIRD TEAM Joseph Allman J.P. Morgan
After three years as a runner-up, Joseph Allman of J.P. Morgan rises to third place. One investor hails him for the “strong industry knowledge and valuation framework he uses to evaluate investment opportunities.” One opportunity Allman spotted was Petrohawk Energy Corp. In April the analyst reasoned that the company — whose shares had reached a price of $25.14, in what he called the “takeover zone” — would be more open to selling itself. Just three months later, U.K.- and Australia-based BHP Billiton agreed to acquire the Houston-based shale-gas producer for $38.75 a share, representing a 65 percent premium to Petrohawk’s $23.49 closing price the day before the acquisition was announced. The deal was completed in August.