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Satoru Kikuchi
Deutsche Securities
"He provides simple and clear opinions and always responds quickly to requests."
Satoru Kikuchi captures first place for a second consecutive year — and for the fourth time in seven years. The Deutsche Securities analyst has “an exceptionally strong rapport with managements,” observes one buy-side advocate. Kikuchi, 43, is unabashedly bullish. “In Japan demand for business software and information technology services is increasing, owing to Japanese companies’ better business sentiment and the IT investment cycle,” he says. “There are many large IT system projects in 2013 and 2014, especially in the financial sectors.” Kikuchi initiated coverage on SCSK Corp. with a buy rating in September, nearly a year after the company was created through the merger of former rivals Sumisho Computer Systems Corp. and CSK Corp. Postmerger operational efficiencies coupled with strong growth prospects would spur the Tokyo-based software and outsourcing-services provider’s profitability, he argued, and he was right. In January the company reported that operating income had soared 41.8 percent, from ¥9.84 billion ($104.35 million) to ¥13.95 billion, year-over-year in the three months through December. By mid-March the stock had bolted 50.6 percent, from ¥1,233 to ¥1,857, and trumped the sector by 27.5 percentage points. — Pam Baker