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Jeffrey Zekauskas
J.P. Morgan
First-place appearances: 3

Total appearances: 12

Analyst debut: 2001

Jeffrey Zekauskas leads the roster for a third year running. The J.P. Morgan analyst “exhibits second-­level thinking, which is rare among sell-side analysts and truly makes him invaluable to investors,” says one fund manager. Noted for identifying opportunities in specialty chemicals, Zekauskas, 59, initiated coverage on PPG ­Industries in April 2012 with an overweight rating, at $101.29. He cited the Pittsburgh-­based industrial-­coatings producer’s expanding business worldwide, healthy balance sheet and sustainable free cash flow generation that could lead to share repurchases. Through August 2013 the stock climbed 58.6 percent, to $156.21, outdistancing the sector by 40.2 percentage points. Among the 37 stocks under his coverage, Zekauskas also favors ­Danbury, ­Connecticut’s specialty-­gas supplier Praxair, for its accelerated earnings growth. He upgraded the shares from neutral to overweight in June, at $114.07. Through August they bested the sector by 1.2 percentage points, inching up to $117.89, which Zekauskas still considers a bargain. “His industry understanding, in-depth analyses and ability to ask the tough questions differentiate him,” insists another backer. — Ben Mattlin