< The 2014 All-China Research TeamYu (Andy) MengMorgan StanleyFirst-place appearances: 0

Total appearances: 2

Analyst debut: 2013In second place is Morgan Stanley’s Yu (Andy) Meng, who debuted last year at No. 3. “Andy is one of the few sell-side analysts who have a better understanding of the industry than our own in-house professionals,” declares one fund manager in Shanghai. Of the 17 Chinese energy companies under Meng’s coverage, integrated oil and gas major China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. is a favorite. The researcher, working out of Hong Kong, highlighted his overweight rating on Sinopec in February. Although the government was likely to deregulate downstream markets, he reasoned, barriers to entry would remain high, securing the company’s position as a unified energy-distribution channel. Shares of the Beijing-based producer climbed 45.4 percent higher by early September before being dragged back by declining oil prices. Late in November they were up 13.7 percent over the life of the call, at HK6.31, while the sector had inched up just 1.1 percent. Going forward, Meng prefers Sinofert Holdings, a fertilizer producer that is headquartered in Hong Kong, because he foresees a turnaround in earnings.