SECOND TEAM

Ken Kagerer & team Deutsche Bank

Newcomer Ken Kagerer directs his Deutsche Bank quartet to second place; this is the firm’s first appearance in the ranking since 2005. The Zurich-based analysts “are helpful because they look at stocks — whether it’s health care or industrials or whatever — with a critical eye,” says one buy-side fan. Top stock picks over the past year include a March buy on Georg Fischer, at Sf325, on rising demand for the Schaffhausen-headquartered manufacturer’s piping and machine tool products. By late December the stock had shot up 62.3 percent, to Sf527.50, and outdistanced the Swiss market by a dazzling 65.4 percentage points. Another winner: Last February the team highlighted its buy on Schindler Holding, at Sf77.50, noting such favorables as “a defensive business model, exposure to emerging markets, replacement growth, benefits from restructuring, and attractive valuation.” The Ebikon-based elevator and escalator manufacturer’s shares rode up to Sf110.60 through year-end, for a gain of 42.7 percent since the reiteration.