Jun Harada UBS
The buy side says: “His detailed earnings forecasts are very valuable.”
For an 11th straight year, UBS’s Jun Harada seizes the top prize. Praised by clients for his “long experience” and for having “his own opinions, not depending on company explanations,” the 41-year-old researcher further endeared himself to investors with an April 2010 upgrade of West Japan Railway Co. from neutral to buy, at ¥3,126, primarily on valuation. Through February 2012, shares of the Osaka-based train operator advanced 6 percent, to ¥3,315, and outdistanced the sector by 20.9 percentage points. Going forward, Harada’s favorite stock is Tokyo-based Yamato Holdings Co., a shipping company he upgraded from neutral to buy back in August 2009, at ¥1,322, on industry consolidation and a series of cost-cutting layoffs. The upgrade was early, however. Through February 2012 the stock slipped 3 percent, to ¥1,281, but outpaced the sector by 11.5 percentage points. Buy-siders were impressed: “His calls on West Japan Railway and Yamato transport were particularly good,” says one. — Ben Mattlin
