Wendy Nicholson Citi
Wendy Nicholson of Citi takes third place for a second straight year. “More than any other analyst covering the sector, Wendy thinks globally and acts locally,” observes one loyal supporter. Nicholson highlighted her buy rating on Estée Lauder Cos. in January, at $49.11, on the belief that the company’s recent restructuring and cost-cutting initiatives would boost profits and that the New York–based cosmetics maker would enjoy strong overseas sales, thanks to its expansion of international e-commerce sites. Right on both counts. In the first eight months of its fiscal year, which ended June 30, foreign sales accounted for 62 percent of Estée Lauder’s total sales, surpassing the company’s target of 60 percent for 2010. By late August the stock had shot up 14.2 percent, to $56.07, since Nicholson’s reiteration.
