Friday's ETF Winners & Losers

Overseas-related exchange-traded funds were among the best performers Friday, thanks to a surge in Asia's indices overnight.

Japan's Nikkei 225 Index jumped 2.6%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index surged 2.1%, and China's CSI 300 rose 1.1%. Other measures in Taiwan, South Korea and Indonesia were higher, as well.

The SPDR S&P China (GXC) ETF was adding $3, or 3.9%, to $79.91. The iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index (FXI) was higher by $5.56, or 3.8%, to $152.05.

The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index (EEM) ETF was up $4.47, or 3.4%, to $135.05, and the iShares MSCI South Korea Index (EWY) ETF was higher by $2.32, or 3.7%, to $64.72.

Oil-related bundled securities rose as crude prices pushed above the $74-a-barrel level earlier. Recently, the front-month October crude contract advanced 46 cents to $73.81 a barrel.

The Ultra Oil & Gas ProShares (DIG) ETF was gaining $2.99, or 3.2%, to $97.72. The Oil Services HOLDRs (OIH) rose $3.80, or 2.2%, to $179.31, and the iShares Dow Jones U.S. Oil Equipment Index (IEZ) increased $1.22, or 2.1%, to $59.50.

Homebuilder ETFs strengthened after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke addressed the current subprime mess and President Bush moved to offer federal help to mortgage borrowers.

The iShares Dow Jones U.S. Home Construction (ITB) ETF was tacking on 52 cents, or 2.3%, to $23.58. The SPDR S&P Homebuilders (XHB) ETF was climbing 49 cents, or 2%, to $24.78.

On the other hand, bundled securities following U.S. Treasuries were among few losers of the day, as traders made their way out of bonds and moved into equities. The 10-year note was recently down 3/32 in price, yielding 4.52%.

The iShares Lehman Credit Bond (CFT) ETF eased by 27 cents, or 0.3%, to $99.52. The iShares Lehman Long-Term Treasury (TLO) ETF was lower by 12 cents, or 0.2%, to $51.42. The Vanguard Long-Term Bond (BLV) ETF was off 15 cents, or 0.2%, to $74.62.

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