James Furey Furey Research Partners

Vaulting from runner-up to the second team is Newport Beach, California–based James Furey of Furey Research Partners. Back in March 2009, when the Russell 2000 index of small-cap stocks hit bottom, at 349.45, he predicted the low valuations would spark a rally — and he was right. By the end of the year, the benchmark had skyrocketed 79 percent, to 625.39. That’s when Furey told investors that the bull market for small caps had six more months before it ran out of steam. Close — the turning point came in April, when the index hit 741.92. By the end of August, it had declined to 602.06. “He weaves fundamental, macro and technical disciplines into a unique view of what the Street overlooks,” avows one loyalist.