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Thiago Lofiego
& team
Bank of America
Merrill Lynch
First-place appearances: 5

Total appearances: 15

Team debut: 1998

After two years in second place, the Bank of America Merrill Lynch duo directed by Thiago Lofiego advances to the top spot, marking the firm’s first appearance at No. 1 since 2006. Praised by one investor as “knowledgeable, responsive and a moneymaker,” the São Paulo–based squad covers six stocks — and is bullish on four of them. The analysts upgraded Suzano Papel e Celulose from neutral to buy in September, at 4.91 reais, when the Brazil-based specialty-paper producer completed financing for its Maranhão pulp project. By mid-July the stock had soared to 8.21 reais, for a gain of 67.2 percent that bested the sector by 58.6 percentage points. Lofiego, 30, received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Brazil’s Fundação Getulio Vargas. He joined Merrill Lynch in 2007 from Itaú BBA and took charge of this team, with Felipe Hirai as co-captain, back in 2010. Lofiego became sole leader the following year, but he and Hirai are working together again — this time as co-heads of the crew that claims first place in Metals & Mining. — Ben Mattlin