by steven goldberg raymond james has distinguished itself as number one when it comes to picking stocks its focus list returned nearly three times much the s&p over seven years see which make this year s lineup certainly stock is just part of what a full service brokerage does but in that vital category at head pack best track record among dozen brokerages past five and according study zacks investment research ending september 30 96 triple 34 return 500 isn t good sounds because typically recommends lot medi um size small companies well large dominate average mid cap fund 104 same period morningstar rounding out top brokers are 2 credit suisse first boston with an 87 3 bear stearns 78 4 merrill lynch 76 5 goldman sachs