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Ian Gisbourne,
Supavud Saicheua & team
Bank of America
Merrill Lynch
"They are one of the most independent-minded teams in Thailand."
It has taken 12 years, but Bank of America Merrill Lynch is back on top — rocketing all the way from runner-up. Supavud Saicheua was solo leader in 2001; these days he shares oversight with Ian Gisbourne, who lands in the winner’s circle for the first time. Gisbourne, 45, rejoined the bank in August after two years at UBS (where he led the crew that claimed the No. 3 spot last year); he holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Hawaii. The ten-strong squad is headquartered in Bangkok and reports on some 60 companies. The analysts “provide great insights into Thailand’s monetary easing and infrastructure projects, and their impact on Southeast Asian markets,” attests one portfolio manager in New York. Saicheua, 56, and his associates urged clients to buy Asia Aviation Co. in September, at 3.50 baht, partly on increased travel in the region. The Bangkok-based carrier’s stock flew 98.6 percent, to 6.95 baht, and soared past Thailand’s broad market by 81.1 percentage points, through April. — Ben Mattlin