Merrill Analysts Dominate ‘All-America’ Team

Merrill Lynch’s analysts grabbed the greatest number of top spots in the annual ranking of the most respected and savvy securities analysts by monthly financial magazine Institutional Investor.

The rankings are based on a survey of nearly 1,800 professional investors at money management firms and other institutions such as pension funds.

Wall Street closely watches the results because analysts who make the magazine’s All-America Research Team usually see their pay shoot up.

Fifty-seven Merrill analysts won positions on the team, out of a total of 375 throughout 88 industry sectors and investment categories. Merrill had 47 last year.

Investment bank Goldman Sachs and securities firm Morgan Stanley Dean Witter shared second place with 50 spots each.