Glenn Engel
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
First-place appearances: 0

Total appearances: 16

Analyst debut: 1990

Notching his best showing since 2003, Glenn Engel of Bank of America Merrill Lynch ascends from runner-up to third place. “Glenn takes the long view, and he’s usually right,” avers one buy-side backer. Engel tracks 16 stocks and favors Delta Air Lines, largely thanks to its above-average passenger revenue per available seat mile, a measure of unit sales. He upgraded the Atlanta-based carrier from neutral to buy in January 2011, at $11.95, on valuation. The call was premature, because the shares traded down to $6.60 that summer. But in the 12 months through August 2013, they rocketed 131.3 percent, to $19.73. Given its West Coast dominance, Alaska Air Group is also a preferred name. Initiated at buy in June 2010, at $24.96, the Seattle-based carrier’s stock flew 68.8 percent this year through August, to $56.62. — Ben Mattlin