< The 2014 All-China Research TeamMing-Hon (Evan) LiStandard Chartered BankFirst-place appearances: 0

Total appearances: 1

Analyst debut: 2014Debuting at No. 2 on this lineup is Standard Chartered Bank researcher Ming-hon (Evan) Li. In May the analyst elevated Beijing’s Sound Global to a top pick, noting that the water utility was enjoying high growth thanks to project momentum and the central government’s antipollution efforts. Six months later the stock had soared 43.8 percent, to HK$9.12, besting its peers by 40.4 percentage points. Li continues to favor Sound Global, believing that a price of HK$10.10 to HK$12.70 is justified. Another name he prefers is Wasion Group Holdings, a Hong Kong–based power-meter supplier. He initiated coverage on Wasion in July with an outperform rating, citing the government’s plans to fund installation of so-called smart electricity meters as part of its grid modernization. By late November its shares had leaped 36 percent, to HK$7.20, while the sector fell 5.5 percent. “Evan is proactive with frequent research and, needless to say, great stock selections,” remarks one portfolio manager. From his base in Hong Kong, Li reports on 34 Chinese public utilities companies and intends to add solar players to his portfolio.