Hisaaki Yokoo Goldman Sachs
second team Takato Watabe Deutsche
third team Takao Kanai Citi
Money managers say “excellent knowledge” and “good stock calls” help keep Hisaaki Yokoo of Goldman Sachs in the winner’s circle for a second straight year — and for the third time in five years. Yokoo, 47, highlighted his buy recommendation on Nissan Chemical Industries in February 2009, at ¥630, telling investors that semiconductor demand had reached bottom, and the company’s silicon sales were about to rebound. Through February 2010 shares of the diversified chemicals and specialty-synthetics producer catapulted to ¥1,195, a gain of 89.7 percent that made the sector’s 37.3 percent advance seem paltry by comparison.
Takato Watabe vaults from runner-up to second place. Backers praise the Deutsche analyst’s November upgrade of DIC Corp. from hold to buy, at ¥126, based on management’s plan to streamline operating divisions. Shares of the provider of pigments and specialty plastics, already down 32.6 percent from the start of the year, rallied by 46.8 percent through February, to ¥185. “Watabe-san is the most reliable analyst in the space, with the strongest corporate contacts,” insists one happy client.
Citi’s Takao Kanai drops one rung to third place. In July he reiterated a long-standing buy on Hitachi Chemical Co., at ¥1,597, increasing his earnings estimate and target price, largely on ballooning Chinese demand for silicon. The synthetic-plastics maker’s shares climbed 14 percent, to ¥1,820, through February. “His earnings models are thorough and precise,” applauds one grateful fan.
