Davy Stockbrokers has once again taken top honours in the 19th annual Finance magazine stockbroking survey, winning in six of the 11 overall categories.

The stockbroker took first place for sales trading service, execution, sale service, economic research and ability to deal in size.

However, the award in the key category of best Irish equity research went to Goodbody Stockbrokers, while NCB was rated top for international equity research and technical analysis.

The survey, carried out by Finance magazine, polls more than 1,000 fund managers in Ireland and globally.

The fund managers rated Merrion Stockbrokers, recently sold to Iceland's Landsbanki in a deal valued at €55 million, as the most independent of the stockbrokers. It was voted best in the objectivity of equity research category.

On an individual basis, Merrion's Robert Brisbourne won the analyst of the year title. He was also named the best food and drinks analyst, and won the award for the best research report of the year for his survey into the performance of C&C's Magners cider brand.

His colleague Adrian O'Carroll held on to his title of best equity salesperson for the second year running.

Davy's Robbie Kelleher was named as best equity strategist and best research economist, while NCB's Dermot O'Brien won the best research economist award in the area of bonds.

Goodbody's was named top for its morning research notes, while Davy's weekly book was judged best in the equity book category.