Thursday's ETF Winners & Losers

Updated from 1:06 p.m.

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

Japan's Nikkei advanced 2.6%, and Hong Kong's Hang Seng was better by 2.8%. China's Shanghai Composite tacked on 1%, sending it above 5000 for the first time.

The WisdomTree Pacific ex-Japan (DND Quote) ETF was higher by $1.62, or 2.3%, to $72.91. The PowerShares Dynamic Asia Pacific (PUA Quote) ETF was adding 50 cents, or 2%, to $25.65.

The iShares MSCI Pacific ex-Japan (EPP Quote) gained $2.41, or 1.7%, to $142.46, and the SPDR S&P Emerging Markets (GMM Quote) was up 68 cents, or 1.1%, to $64.70.

On the other hand, securities tracking regional banks were having a losing session. Among individual names, Northern Trust (NTRS Quote), SVB Financial (SIVB Quote) and TCF Financial (TCB Quote) were all falling 1.8% or more.

The KBW Regional Banking (KRE Quote) ETF was lower by $1.19, or 2.6%, to $45.40. The iShares Dow Jones U.S. Regional Banks (IAT Quote) gave back 63 cents, or 1.3%, to $47.21.

Basic materials-related ETFs were also weaker. Among individual stocks, Newmont Mining (NEM Quote), Nucor (NUE Quote) and Freeport-McMoRan (FCX Quote) were losing 1.3% or more.

The Materials Select Sector SPDR (XLB Quote) ETF was down 51 cents, or 1.3%, to $38.74, and the Ultra Basic Materials ProShares (UYM Quote) ETF eased $1, or 1.2%, to $79.58. The iShares Dow Jones U.S. Basic Materials (IYM Quote) ETF was off 40 cents, or 0.6%, to $66.98.

Bundled securities tracking homebuilders were also falling after Moody's Investors Service published a report that placed the ratings of three homebuilders, Centex (CTX Quote), Lennar (LEN Quote) and Pulte Homes (PHM Quote), under review for possible downgrades.

The SPDR S&P Homebuilders (XHB Quote) ETF gave back 23 cents, or 0.9%, to $25.21. The iShares Dow Jones U.S. Home Construction (ITB Quote) ETF was down 14 cents, or 0.6%, to $24.50.