Robert Drbul
Barclays Capital
The buy side says: “Robert is the go-to guy in his sector.”
Robert Drbul returns to the winner’s circle for a third consecutive year — and for the seventh time in the past nine years. The Barclays Capital analyst impresses clients with his broad coverage and years of experience that “enable him to see industry trends across the food chain,” according to one portfolio manager. In August 2009 the 39-year-old Drbul recommended Phillips-Van Heusen Corp., citing improved inventory management and expectations of lower costs. He reiterated his recommendation in March, when the New York–based apparel company, which owns and markets the Calvin Klein, Izod and Sean John labels, among others, announced that it would acquire Tommy Hilfiger in a cash-and-stock deal worth approximately $3 billion (the takeover was completed in May); Drbul believed that the acquisition would provide a boost to Phillips-Van Heusen’s revenues. He pounded the table again in August, after the company reported stronger-than-expected growth in the second quarter. By the end of that month, the stock had stitched up gains of 33.4 percent since Drbul first recommended it, rising from $34.24 to $45.68. During the same period the sector gained 23.8 percent.
