Alexander Kotikov
Sberbank CIB
Dropping one notch to second place is Sberbank CIB’s Alexander Kotikov, who actively monitors ten stocks and keeps his eyes on another five. In September he reiterated a buy on E.On Russia, at 2.65 rubles, largely on the Moscow-based electricity generator’s high dividend yield. The shares climbed as high as 2.94 rubles in February before slipping back to 2.53 rubles at the end of May. Going forward he favors MRSK Center, also known as Interregional Distribution Grid Co. Centre, judging it a bargain at its end-May price of 0.44 ruble. His optimism is tied to the Moscow-based utility’s plans to privatize, with “large stakes to be sold to strategic investors,” Kotikov says. Observes one portfolio manager in Moscow: “A certain pragmatism is one of Alexander’s strongest differentiating points.” — Ben Mattlin