Some small-cap stocks tend to be less correlated with larger benchmark indexes but may follow the small-cap benchmark indexes like the Russell 3000. Some stocks (i.e. small caps) may not be correlated with broad market trends so make sure that you are using the particular benchmark as a compass when trading them. The stock market has been commonly trading with divergence at them between the SPY, QQQ and DIA benchmarks. Therefore, make sure whatever stocks you are trading is correlated with the correct benchmark. Usually banks and financials move best with the SPY and DIA, while technology stocks tend to move with the QQQ.