Ian Gisbourne & team UBS

Ian Gisbourne and the UBS squad of seven advance from runner-up to third place. The Bangkok-based team monitors 40 companies and expects to add names this year. In May 2011 the analysts predicted a broad market sell-off, partly on political uncertainty. (National elections were held last July.) In October, with the index down 15.1 percent, they reversed course — just days after the market’s 12-month low point. Since then, it surged 30.1 percent, through March. “Both calls were out of consensus and turned out to be correct,” marvels one ally. The UBS crew remains bullish, citing rising investment and domestic consumption. Top recommendations include property developer Land and Houses, and financial services provider Siam Commercial Bank, both of which are based in Bangkok. — ­Ben Mattlin