For the analysts of Extel’s All-America Research Team survey, the rankings can giveth and the rankings can taketh away.
No one understands this rollercoaster better than two of this year’s No. 1 ranked analysts: Timothy Arcuri of UBS and Sanjay Sakhrani of Keefe of Bruyette & Woods. Both respected analysts had last been awarded the top spot years—or nearly two decades—ago.
They have each reclaimed their sector’s respective crown in this year’s 55th annual ranking of sell-side research analysts and firms based on the opinions of more than 4,450 directors of research and investment professionals at 1,608 asset management firms.
“Tim is the best in the space and should be #1,” was the summation of one those voters. And now he is once again.
Arcuri, who joined UBS in 2017 as a managing director leading U.S. equity research in semiconductors and semiconductor equipment, last received a No. 1 in the survey in 2008. After subsequent second- and third-place and runner-up finishes—including missing the top spot by one vote last year—he reported that he was not surprised to be back on top in 2026.
“I was not going to be denied,” he told Extel. “We have maintained relentless focus on helping clients think through AI and all of its stock implications.”
Sanjay Sakhrani, who joined KBW in 2006, leads the firm’s consumer finance and payments industries research efforts after stints at Calyon Securities and Citigroup. He previously earned six No. 1 spots with the last win before this year in 2017.
“I'd be lying if I didn't say it felt good [to be back at No. 1]!” Sakhrani told Extel and credited his team and colleagues at KBW.
“My team and I take a lot of pride in providing a strong and proprietary research product, and it takes quite a bit of discipline and a powerful team to be effective,” he said. “I view this ranking as validation we're doing something right.”
Read on to learn more about how Arcuri and Sakhrani got back on top of AART; what surprised them most about 2026; and what investors need to know about their sectors.
