Wednesday's ETF Winners & Losers

Overseas-related exchange-traded funds were among the best performers Wednesday, as foreign markets surged overnight.

Last time out, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index jumped 2.8%, China's CSI 300 Index added 1.6% and South Korea's Kospi Index rose 1.3%.

The iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index (FXI) was higher by $6.98, or 5.4%, to $135.98. The SPDR S&P China (GXC) was adding $3.68, or 5.5%, to $70.55. The iShares MSCI South Korea Index (EWY) gained $2.28, or 3.9%, to $60.46. The SPDR S&P Emerging Markets (GMM) was up $2.20, or 3.6%, to $63.96.

Basic materials-related bundled securities were also higher. Among individual stocks, Alcoa (AA), Dow Chemical (DOW), Nucor (NUE) and Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) climbed more than 3%.

The Ultra Basic Materials ProShares (UYM) jumped $4.43, or 5.9%, to $80.12. The iShares Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials (IYM) was adding $2.03, or 3.1%, to $67.24. The Vanguard Materials (VAW) ETF was up $2.31, or 2.9%, to $80.96. The Materials Select Sector SPDR (XLB) was adding $1.10, or 2.9%, to $38.92.

On the other hand, the United States Natural Gas (UNG) ETF was the worst decliner of Wednesday's session, as natural gas slid 22 cents to $5.81 per million British thermal units. The ETF was falling $1.28, or 3.4%, to $36.56.

ETFs tracking crude oil were also lower, as the front-month contract slipped 54 cents to $69.03 a barrel. Earlier, the Energy Department posted its weekly inventory report that showed a rise of 1.9 million barrels in crude inventories last week.

The iPath S&P GSCI Crude Oil Index (OIL) was losing 25 cents, or 0.7%, to $38.39. The United States Oil (USO) shed 38 cents, or 0.7%, to $52.05.

Bundled securities following U.S. Treasuries were also declining, as traders pulled investments from bonds and poured money into equities. The 10-year Treasury note fell 13/32 in price, cutting the yield to 4.65%, and the 30-year bond was off 9/32, yielding 4.97%.

The iShares Lehman 7-10 Year Treasury Bond (IEF) slumped 26 cents, or 0.3%, to $83.31. The SPDR Lehman Long-Term Treasury (TLO) was lower by 16 cents, or 0.3%, to $50.56. The Vanguard Long-Term Bond (BLV) ETF eased 21 cents, or 0.3%, to $73.63.

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