There are always bull trends and bear trends going on, even during times likes this when it seems all stocks are going in the same direction.

For example, here is a screen for the top performing stocks of 2014 year-to-date (YTD), with the following factors:

* Over $2 Billion Market Cap
* Over 2 Million Average Daily Volume
* Optionable & Shortable
* No ETFs
* Above Simple 20 Day Moving Average
* Above Simple 50 Day Moving Average

(click chart for bigger version):

Top Performing 2014 Stocks Chart

(data from finviz)

Some interesting names on this list, including several well-known Technology companies such as Pandora (P), Research In Motion (BBRY), Zynga (ZNGA), Juniper (JNPR), Qihoo 360 (QIHU), Facebook (FB), Electronic Arts (EA) — Tesla (TSLA) also is on the list.  Note that some of the beaten down previous high fliers are rallying back a bit and bucking the overall market trend.

Also see several Gold and Gold Mining names on the list such as AngloGold (AU), Agnico-Eagle (AEM), Goldcorp (GG), New Gold (NGD) — Precious Metals sector is also extremely beaten-down and does have quite a bit of upside potential rally if this continues … also seeing somewhat of a mild 'flight to safety' into precious metals in 2014.

Finding the stocks and sectors that are charting their own course and aren't performing in a correlated manner with the broad stock market is a useful strategy for stock pickers, option traders and those looking to get a diversified 'edge' over the market.