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Alexia Howard, who finished in the runner-up position last year, climbs to third place. The Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. analyst provides a “helpful strategic perspective and discussion of broad industry trends,” according to one buy-side enthusiast. Howard is encouraging clients to “look for companies with established positions in emerging markets.” One example: Kraft Foods. In January she reiterated her buy rating on the Northfield, Illinois–based manufacturer and distributor of Oreo cookies and Oscar Mayer lunch meat, among many other products, on margin expansion and increasing market share, particularly for its line of Cadbury chocolates in Brazil, India and Mexico. By late August the stock had gobbled up gains of 12.7 percent, rising from $36.82 to $41.51. Kraft will split its global snacks business and North American grocery operations into separate companies — to be called Mondelez International and Kraft Foods Group, respectively — this month. RUNNER(S)-UP David Driscoll Citi Kenneth Goldman J.P. Morgan Robert Moskow Credit Suisse |