Pierre Lau Citi
The buy side says: “Pierre is definitely our go-to expert.”
In first place for a second straight year is Pierre Lau of Citi. The 40-year-old analyst is “a one-stop shop for ideas and timely data,” according to one buy-side backer. Echoes another: “I can get whatever I need from him, including commercial stock ideas, user-friendly models, detailed research reports and prompt phone call updates.” In August, Lau pounded the table on Harbin Power Equipment Co., on a price dip at HK$6.97, in anticipation of rising revenues owing to the Harbin, Heilongjiang–based power-generation-equipment maker’s increasing investments in wind-power apparatus, among other factors. In November, after the stock had flown 70.2 percent, to HK$11.86, and outperformed the sector by 69.5 percentage points, Lau downgraded it to hold, on valuation. By the end of April, the shares had plunged 36.6 percent, to HK$7.52, and trailed the sector by 31.4 points. “I have followed Lau’s calls for years — his recommendations are always helpful and correct,” insists one advocate.
