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Ivy Zelman
Zelman & Associates
First-place appearances: 12

Total appearances: 20

Analyst debut: 1994

Marking her 20th anniversary in the ranking and fourth consecutive first-place finish, Cleveland-based Hall of Famer Ivy Zelman hits on all cylinders. “Ivy does more proprietary work and has a deeper team than anyone on the Street. She also happens to be a good stock picker,” avows one grateful fund manager. In January 2012 her Zelman & Associates homebuilding survey indicated a rise in new orders, so she upgraded two California-based companies in that subsector from hold to buy: Ryland Group of Westlake Village, at $16.98, and Irvine’s Standard Pacific Corp., at $3.96. Through August 2013 the stocks skyrocketed 106.6 and 80.3 percent, respectively, to $34.82 and $7.14. Over the same period the sector swelled 66 percent. She continues to recommend both shares. With a coverage universe of 29 names and counting, the analyst also directs clients to consider small-cap American Woodmark Corp., which she first rated in May 2012, as a buy at $16.50. Zelman, 47, credits its exposure to rising U.S. residential demand, market-share gains, stock-repurchase plan and minimal debt. By late August 2013 shares of the Winchester, Virginia–based home-cabinet maker had more than doubled, reaching $34.87. “Ivy nailed the huge run in homebuilding stocks,” declares another buy-side fan. — Ben Mattlin