< The 2014 All-China Research TeamXiaopo WeiCLSAFirst-place appearances: 0

Total appearances: 5

Analyst debut: 2010CLSA’s Xiaopo Wei earned a runner-up position on each of the consumer lists last year and now advances to third place on this roster and to No. 2 on the Consumer/Nondiscretionary lineup. Among his favorite names throughout this year has been Anta Sports Products, a Jinjiang-based clothing manufacturer. “Anta is the first China sportswear brand recovering from the industry downturn,” he explains. “Its enhanced brand equity, closely controlled retail channels and consistent brand proposition help it to take market share from smaller players.” His optimism has proved warranted: Anta’s stock soared 70.4 percent year to date through late November, rising to HK$15.80 and beating its peers by 74.9 percentage points. From his base in Hong Kong, Wei covers nine Chinese consumer discretionary stocks, and his 12-month outlook for the sector is neutral. He does, however, expect footwear and apparel retailer Belle International Holdings to perform well. Catalysts include the Shenzhen-headquartered company’s attractive 4 to 5 percent dividend yield, “quick ramp-up of sportswear distribution business and an option value for likely recovery of its footwear business,” the analyst explains.