Consumer

Eurogroup to hold emergency meeting tomorrow to debate an extension for Greece; Argentina’s government faces mounting protests.

Key data points in China and Japan will refocus markets back on Asia. In the U.S., retail and consumer data will lend insight on the 2014 holiday shopping season.

The fourth-quarter GDP report showed that GDP grew 3.2 percent while final sales to consumers rose 7.1 percent, the strongest showing in four years. But the reality isn’t as good as all that.

After two years in third place, Omar Saad rises one rung to second. In January the Credit Suisse analyst reiterated his buy rating on Under Armour (first recommended all the way back in December 2005), at $25.40, citing the Baltimore-based sports-apparel company’s loyal customer base and strong long-term growth prospects, among other factors.

Although he slips one notch to third place, Robert Ohmes of BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research continues to win praise for “calls that are very tangible and timely not just a philosophical overview,” in the words of one supporter.

Vaulting from runner-up to second place is William Greene Jr. of Morgan Stanley; he is also ranked third in Airfreight & Surface Transportation.

At No. 3 for a third year running is Barclays Capital’s Garrett Chase, described by one buy-side backer as “a big-picture guy — someone who gives you a longer-term view.”

Deutsche Bank Securities analyst Rod Lache, who repeats in second place, “is always available when I need him,” marvels one buy-side backer.

Himanshu Patel, 35, of J.P. Morgan cruises to No. 1 for a fourth straight year.

Jamie Baker of J.P. Morgan makes it a hat trick, capturing top honors for a third year in a row.