THIRD TEAM

Carola Bardelli & team Deutsche Bank

Deutsche Bank returns to the ranking for the first time since 2008, when it finished in second place. The six-strong, third-place squad is captained by Milan-based Carola Bardelli, and “what they bring to the table is depth of research that is greater than most of their competitors’ ­— they dig in deeper in single-company reports, and their ad hoc sector pieces are quite comprehensive,” marvels one investor. Way back in October 2009 the team upgraded Pirelli & C. from hold to buy, at a split-adjusted €3.65, on the belief that margins would soar if the conglomerate, which is headquartered in Milan, would spin off its real estate unit. It did just that in October 2010, and by December of that year, the stock had bolted to €6.05, for a 65.8 percent gain. During the same period, Italy’s broad market tumbled 9.8 percent.