Top investor Malik on how she's beating the market

Published Tue, Apr 12 20162:59 PM EDTUpdated Sat, Oct 14 201710:44 AM EDT

Despite a lackluster performance for the overall stock market in the past six months, a number of fund managers in CNBC Pro's Platinum Portfolio are seeing their picks soar. So how are they doing it? We now highlight comments from Saira Malik , head of global equity portfolio management at TIAA Global Asset Management. Year to date, her model portfolio is up 7 percent compared with an S & P 500 that is little changed. "We are still recommending a balanced portfolio of cyclical stocks (given how historically cheap they are) and defensive stocks to protect us from the volatility we expect this year," wrote Malik in an email. "We continue to recommend avoiding momentum stocks." The investor believes after a strong rally in stocks since February the market may be vulnerable to a "short-term correction," given extended technical indicators and overly bullish sentiment. Here are her favorite stocks for the months ahead and her bullets on why she's invested: Albermarle — "Benefiting from increased volumes in the lithium segment." The company "remains on track to deliver balance sheet over next 18 months which will allow for increased dividends or buybacks." Stock "continues to trade at an 8 percent free cash flow yield based on 2017 numbers which leads us to believe that the stock remains attractive." Owens Corning — I "continue to like the tail winds from a strong housing market which benefits their roofing and insulation segments." "Unadjusted monthly housing starts were 30 percent year over year in March after being up single digits in January and February." I "expect full-year roofing margins to exceed expectations due to declines in raw material costs." "Lower natural gas prices will boost margins in the insulation segment." Molson Coors Brewing — "We remain confident that TAP will beat their synergy targets once the MillerCoors deal closes." "This will lead to better-than-expected cost savings and upside to revenue growth." "Strong cash flow generation could be used to pay down debt and return cash to shareholders." Broadcom (Avago) "Reported a solid beat and raise in Q1 even with all the negative noise surrounding their Apple exposure." Company has a "strong management team focusing on R & D and M & A in order to secure No. 1 or No. 2 market share position in their markets. ... This allows them to raise prices which leads to strong revenue growth." The firm's strong management team remains focused on R & D and M & A in order to secure first or second places in key markets. As a leader in the industry, the company can raise prices which translates into strong revenue growth. "Valuation remains attractive with the ability to earn up to $18 (a share)." I "expect greater-than-expected cost savings from the Broadcom" merger. Editor's note: Make sure to check back Wednesday for comments from the next fund manager, Louis Navellier.

Joe Pugliese | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images

Despite a lackluster performance for the overall stock market in the past six months, a number of fund managers in CNBC Pro's Platinum Portfolio are seeing their picks soar.

So how are they doing it?

We now highlight comments from Saira Malik, head of global equity portfolio management at TIAA Global Asset Management. Year to date, her model portfolio is up 7 percent compared with an that is little changed.