| Philip Cusick, the year’s top-ranked research in Telecom Services, expanded his territory last fall and makes his first appearance in this sector, debuting at third. He added Philadelphia-based Comcast Corp. to J.P. Morgan’s U.S. Analyst Focus List in October 2011, at $20.85, citing strong growth of broadband subscribers, among other factors. In August the company reported that its number of broadband users had increased by roughly 156,000 during the second quarter, to 18.7 million. By the end of that month, the stock had vaulted 60.8 percent, to $33.53. Cusick is “the best stock picker in the sector,” insists one client. Looking ahead, “we are positive on the cable space, given a combination of stabilizing video revenue, and broadband and commercial revenue growth,” the analyst says. “We are less positive on U.S. satellite video providers owing to their lack of broadband or commercial opportunities.” One noteworthy exception: El Segundo, California–based DirecTV, thanks to its rapidly growing Latin America business. RUNNER(S)-UP Jason Bazinet John Hodulik Vijay Jayant Douglas Mitchelson James Ratcliffe III Jessica Reif Cohen |
