Charles (Brad) Hintz Sanford C. Bernstein & Co.
The buy side says: “Investors that listen to him make a lot of money.”
Returning to the No. 1 position, after having spent last year in second place, is Charles (Brad) Hintz, 60. As one portfolio manager observes, “The brokerage industry has suffered from a lack of good and broad coverage compared with other parts of the financial services sector, and Brad Hintz has done a good job filling that void. His background and extensive industry knowledge have made him an invaluable source for someone looking at the industry for investment opportunities.” In January 2009 the Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. researcher highlighted his buy rating on Morgan Stanley, on a price dip to $16.76, making the case that the New York–based investment bank’s earnings would revive thanks to its recently announced joint venture with Citigroup’s Smith Barney retail brokerage. He was right. By late August 2010 the stock had rebounded 47.3 percent, to $24.69, and had pulled ahead of the sector by 14.4 percentage points. “Brad does some of the best work looking at longer-term investment themes and issues for his sectors; combine this with in-depth company analysis, and you have the perfect combination for our needs,” explains one grateful client.
