THIRD TEAM

Hidehiko Aoki BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research

Hidehiko Aoki advances from runner-up to third place. Clients praise the BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research analyst for publishing reports that are “always crystal clear” and based on “very useful models.” Aoki urged investors to buy Sundrug Co. in October, at ¥2,235, citing the Tokyo-based retailer’s successful integration of Direx Corp. of Saga; already a majority shareholder, Sundrug acquired Direx in full in December 2009. By the end of February, the stock had climbed 9.4 percent, to ¥2,444, and led the sector by 8.3 percentage points since the analyst’s recommendation.

Polling and tabulation of data as well as reporting on the sector profiles were completed before the March 11 Tohoku earthquake.