John Faucher  J.P. Morgan The buy side says: “He has a cutting-edge view on the sector and the stocks.”

John Faucher of J.P. Morgan makes it a hat trick, finishing in first place for a third year running. The 42-year-old researcher “does a great job analyzing the companies and overlays that with a good feel for what investors are or will be looking for down the road,” asserts one buy-side enthusiast. Faucher upgraded Coca-­Cola Co. from neutral to buy in August 2010, at $54.91, on valuation and because he thought that the Atlanta-­based soft-drink company would enjoy strong growth, especially in emerging markets. Coke reported in February that year-over-year net income catapulted 73.1 percent in 2010, to $11.8 billion, thanks in part to surging demand in Brazil, China and India. By the end of August 2011, the stock had bubbled up 28.3 percent, to $70.45, and led the sector by 14.8 percentage points. “His thinking is very insightful on the individual corporate strategies,” adds another investor.