Recent geopolitical tensions and election-related noise have caused volatility in the markets that are outside an investor’s control. When investing in such times, Kim Forrest, chief investment officer at Bokeh Capital Partners, has certain principles she follows to ensure a successful portfolio. During an interview with Tech Zone Daily’s ” The Exchange ” on Monday, Forrest advised investors to look for companies that consistently outperform their peers. She also owns names with solid balance sheets. In addition, she said to seek out companies that focus on product marketing, or keep their customers’ needs central to ensure retention. These factors combined ensure that a company can outperform against its peers, according to Forrest. “That’s what we look for — not who’s going to be president and then what should we invest in,” Forrest said during the interview. Stock picks The investor provided the names of three companies that she believes meet her criteria: Exxon Mobil, artificial intelligence play Micron Technology and Urban Outfitters . Exxon Mobil not only “gets oil out of the ground,” it also has a chemicals division and operates globally. This ensures diversification both in terms of product and geography, per Forrest. Regarding Micron Technology, Forrest said she’s a “believer in AI.” Micron manufactures NAND flash memory that is crucial for providing the data needed to further develop AI, according to the investor. As for Urban Outfitters, Forrest said that, although its eponymous brand is struggling, there’s ongoing strength across its other brands — Free People and Anthropologie. Urban Outfitter’s recently appointed new president should translate into traction with younger customers in the current quarter, Forrest said. “We think this company is an excellent merchandiser, and it can do [it] over and over again,” said Forrest. The company has operated for almost 50 years, giving it a history of operating across different consumer and economic landscapes. “This company knows that the consumer changes, and they seem to be able to anticipate those changes and keep delivering,” Forrest said.