Yasuo Nakane Deutsche Securities

Although he slips one level to second place, Yasuo Nakane maintains an avid following. The Deutsche Securities researcher is “the best analyst on the dynamic-display industry,” declares one buy-side enthusiast. Nakane downgraded Funai Electric Co. from buy to hold in June, at ¥2,261, citing sluggish sales of liquid crystal display, or LCD, televisions. Sure enough, shares of the Osaka-headquartered manufacturer of Magnavox, Philips, Sylvania and other brands plunged 15.7 percent, to ¥1,905, through February; during the same period the sector fell 4.2 percent.  — Ben Mattlin