Wednesday's ETF Winners & Losers

Exchange-traded funds tracking the Internet sector were surging Wednesday on the back of Amazon.com's (AMZN) blowout quarter.

Following Thursday's close, Amazon easily beat analysts' expectations for the second quarter. After several firms upgraded its stock early Wednesday, Amazon was soaring by 24%.

The Internet HOLDRs (HHH) was adding $3.31, or 5.6%, to $62.22. The First Trust Dow Jones Internet Index (FDN) was recently up 61 cents, or 2.4%, to $25.99. The Internet Infrastructure HOLDRs (IIH) tacked on 7 cents, or 1.3%, to $5.57.

Insurance-related ETFs were also trading higher after both The Chubb Corporation (CB) and Aflac (AFL) posted better-than-expected second-quarter earnings. Both Chubb and Aflac shares were jumping by more than 6%.

The KBW Insurance (KIE) ETF was rising 81 cents, or 1.4%, to $57.12. The iShares Dow Jones U.S. Insurance (IAK) ETF was adding 68 cents, or 1.3%, to $53.88. The PowerShares Dynamic Insurance (PIC) ETF was gaining 16 cents, or 0.9%, to $18.03.

Elsewhere, biotech ETFs were celebrating a 16% jump in shares of Alexion Pharmaceuticals (ALXN), which narrowed its second-quarter loss compared to a year ago and came in ahead of Wall Street's expectations.

The First Trust Amex Biotechnology Index (FBT) was climbing 40 cents, or 1.7%, to $24.47. The SPDR S&P Biotech (XBI) was higher by 54 cents, or 1.1%, to $52.04.

The iShares Dow Jones U.S. Aerospace & Defense (ITA) ETF was also gaining ground after holding General Dynamics (GD) beat estimates with its quarterly earnings report. General Dynamics was recently up almost 3%, and the ETF was adding 64 cents, or 1%, to $65.97.

Basic materials-related bundled securities were among the biggest losers of the session. Among individual stocks, U.S. Steel (X), Nucor (NUE), DuPont (DD), Consol Energy (CNX) and Arch Coal (ACI) slumped 2% or more.

The Ultra Basic Materials ProShares (UYM) ETF dropped $2.78, or 3%, to $91.48. The Materials Select Sector SPDR (XLB) was losing 94 cents, or 2.2%, to $40.96. The iShares Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials (IYM) ETF was down $1.47, or 2%, to $71.02. The Vanguard Materials (VAW) ETF was shedding $1.62, or 1.9%, to $85.41.