Thiago Lofiego
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
First-place appearances: 0

Total appearances: 3

Team debut: 2011

Reclaiming second place after slipping to third in 2012 is Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Thiago Lofiego. “He is a consummate analyst with strong convictions and well-thought-out ideas,” reports one buy-side supporter. Providing coverage on six names from his office in São Paulo, Lofiego upgraded São Paulo–based pulp producer Fibria Celulose from neutral to buy in March, reasoning that Brazil’s weakening currency would spur overseas demand. By mid-July the stock had surged 18.8 percent, from 22.03 reais to 26.18 reais, and was ahead of the sector by 10.1 percentage points. Lofiego continues to recommend the stock. — Ben Mattlin