06-wb-res-cheong-ga-karl-choi.jpg

06-wb-res-billyng.jpg
Cheong-Ga (Karl) Choi, Billy Ng
& team
Bank of America
Merrill Lynch
"Their strength is in their stock calls, their sophisticated models and their insights into senior managements."
In first place for a second year running is Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s six-member squad co-managed by Cheong-Ga (Karl) Choi, 41, and Billy Ng, 38; Ng also co-leads (with Melvyn Boey) the top-ranked team in Gaming & Lodging. “I don’t know if they’re spending all their time at the gaming tables, but they know all the casino VIPs,” quips one buy-side supporter. The analysts, who work out of Hong Kong and Singapore, follow about 20 conglomerates. Among their current recommendations is Shun Tak Holdings, a Hong Kong–based outfit whose interests include gaming, hospitality, real estate and transportation. The company is likely to win regulatory approval for its ambitious Harbour Mile commercial and residential complex in Macau, the researchers say, and should benefit from that city’s resilient property market. Also touted: crosstown rival First Pacific Co., which has operations in consumer goods, infrastructure development, natural resources and telecommunications. This conglomerate is well positioned to benefit from robust economic growth in Indonesia and the Philippines, the team believes. — Paul Sweeney