Hidehiko Aoki Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Hidehiko Aoki ranked third last year in Retailing/Department & General Merchandise Stores and was a runner-up in Retailing/Convenience & Specialty Stores. We combined those sectors this year into one broad Retailing category, and Aoki claims the third tier. Clients applaud the Bank of America Merrill Lynch analyst’s coverage of Fast Retailing Co., complimenting his “profitable insights” and “incredibly accurate, comprehensive analysis.” In January 2011, Aoki dubbed the Yamaguchi-based clothing retailer his top pick and has pounded the table repeatedly since, calling the company one of only a few Japanese retailers with global growth opportunities. Through February 2012 the stock surged 27.3 percent, from ¥13,220 to ¥16,830, and Aoki remains bullish. “I try my best to lead my personal life within the typical budget for the target customers of my covered companies,” he says. “Often, people in the investment community have spending habits that are far removed from typical consumers’, so they misjudge the long-term trend of consumers’ preferences.”  — Pam Baker

RUNNER(S)-UP
- Nozomi Moriya UBS
- Masafumi Shoda Nomura Securities Co.
- Kumio Tomonaga Citi