Zahida (Heidy) Rehman & team
Citi
"She’s an original thinker and isn’t afraid to take a bold stance."
In first place for a second straight year is the Citi team directed by Zahida (Heidy) Rehman in Dubai. “Her feedback on management meetings, interaction with clients and detailed knowledge of the companies she covers are very helpful,” attests one client. The analysts track 15 stocks, nearly double the number they followed a year ago, and Rehman highlights two major challenges in the space: Fertilizer companies are facing an oversupply, especially in the nitrogen and phosphate segments, and Saudi Arabia’s petrochemicals sector could see limitations in its feedstock supply, owing to quickening consumption of oil and gas resources for the kingdom’s own energy needs. Before leaving the firm in May, Rehman was recommending diversified chemicals manufacturers; examples include Riyadh-based Saudi Basic Industries Corp., better known as Sabic, and Industries Qatar, which is headquartered in Doha. — Katie Gilbert