Rupinder Vig & team
Morgan Stanley
London-based Rupinder Vig directs his Morgan Stanley pair to the third team, up from runner-up last year. “Rupi has deep industry knowledge that’s unfailingly compelling,” comments one money manager in London. In April the analysts upgraded France’s Safran from equal weight to overweight, at €26.06, arguing that the aircraft and missile parts supplier’s equipment division — which manufactures wheels, brakes, control systems, landing apparatus and other components — was undervalued. Sure enough, earnings grew and by late December the stock had soared 25.1 percent, to €32.60, and shot past the sector by 19.8 percentage points. With only eight companies under formal coverage — and half again as many actively tracked, and another two or three soon to be added — Vig’s crew still recommends Safran on continuing demand for more efficient aircraft.
— Ben Mattlin