Tuesday's ETF Winners & Losers

Semiconductor-related exchange-traded funds were among the worst performers of a down market Tuesday, weighed by declines in some big names.

National Semiconductor(NSM Quote), Advanced Micro Devices(AMD Quote) and Texas Instruments(TXN Quote) were all declining by 2% or more.

Ultra Semiconductor ProShares(USD Quote) responded by falling $2.16, or 2.7%, to $77.59. Internet Infrastructure HOLDRs (IIH Quote) was dropping 10 cents, or 1.8%, to $5.40.

Housing-related funds also were hit hard. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, in prepared remarks to the International Monetary Conference in South Africa, said that while the ongoing housing slump had not adversely affected the overall economy, "the slowdown in residential construction now appears likely to remain a drag on economic growth for somewhat longer than previously expected."

The Ultra Real Estate ProShares(URE Quote) was dropping $2.15, or 3.4%, to $60.37. The Vanguard REIT Index ETF(VNQ Quote) was off $1.24, or 1.6%, to $78.14. The iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors(ICF Quote) sunk $1.39, or 1.4%, to $101.17.

Utility-sector funds also were slumping. Ultra Utilities ProShares(UPW Quote) was down $2.08, or 2.3%, to $86.84.

ETFs tracking silver were among the few winners in Tuesday's market. Silver futures were trading up 7 cents to $13.76.

PowerShares DB Silver(DBS Quote) was rising 17 cents, or 0.6%, to $27.11. The iShares Silver Trust(SLV Quote) was adding 42 cents, or 0.4%, to $136.90.

Some health care-related funds also found modest success. HealthShares Cardiology(HRD Quote) was up 10 cents, or 0.4%, to $26.46, aided by a 15% rise in Encysive Pharmaceuticals(ENCY Quote).