Yusuke Ando Daiwa Securities Group

Yusuke Ando, who, according to one money manager, “knows everything there is to know about his companies and the way that market forces affect them,” finishes in third place for a fourth consecutive year; the Daiwa Securities Group analyst also ranks third in Ceramics & Glass. Ando publishes research on seven stocks, the same as last year, and holds a mixed outlook on the sectors he covers. “We forecast sharp profit expansion at pulp and paper firms, while foreseeing profit declines in textile firms due to narrower spreads between product and material prices for textiles, films and plastics,” he explains.  — Pam Baker

RUNNER(S)-UP
- Katsuhiko Ishibashi Deutsche Securities
- Takaomi Kono Nomura Securities Co.
- Takato Watabe Deutsche Securities