Yoshinao IbaraMorgan Stanley MUFG Securities Co.
In the No. 3 slot for a second straight year, Yoshinao Ibara of Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities Co. garners kudos for emphasizing factory automation, especially the subsector’s growth from swelling demand in emerging markets. Ibara presciently launched coverage of SMC Corp. with an overweight rating in June 2009, dubbing the stock, then at ¥10,166, a bargain — a position he reiterated throughout last year. Shares of the Tokyo-based producer of pneumatic equipment surged 36.3 percent, to ¥13,860, and trounced the sector by 17 percentage points, through February 2012. Also prized: “His frequent company visits — especially his many trips to China, which are always timely,” asserts one backer. —Ben Mattlin
RUNNER(S)-UP
-Shinji KurodaCredit Suisse
-Junji SakuradaGoldman Sachs Japan Co.
-Hirosuke TaiDaiwa Securities Group