Kenneth Hoexter
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
First-place appearances: 0

Total appearances: 8

Analyst debut: 2005

Unranked in 2012, Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Kenneth Hoexter returns in third place. The analyst upgraded Arkansas Best Corp. from underperform to buy in January, at $10.55, predicting that upcoming contract negotiations between the Fort Smith, Arkansas–based less-than-truckload freight carrier and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union would result in reduced operating costs. He was right. In June a deal was reached that, once ratified, will deliver an immediate wage reduction of 7 percent for some 7,500 employees. Through August the stock skyrocketed 135.8 percent, to $24.88, while the sector rose a mere 1.3 percent. Another favorite among the 32 names Hoexter covers is Con-way, an Ann Arbor, Michigan–based logistics and truckload carrier. He upgraded the stock from underperform to buy in June, at $37.42, citing recent operational improvements. Con-way’s shares jumped 11.2 percent through August, to $41.60. “Ken excels at recognizing inflection points,” avers one portfolio manager. — Ben Mattlin