Wednesday's ETF Winners & Losers

Exchange-traded funds tracking the financial sector were among the few winners of Wednesday's session, thanks to advances in several broker names.

Recently, Bear Stearns (BSC Quote), Charles Schwab (SCHW Quote), CME Group (CME Quote) and Morgan Stanley (MS Quote) were all higher by 1.5% or more.

The Ultra Financials ProShares (UYG Quote) was rising $1, or 1.8%, to $57.30. The iShares Dow Jones U.S. Broker-Dealers (IAI Quote) was up 76 cents, or 1.5%, to $51.48. The KBW Regional Banking (KRE Quote) added 58 cents, or 1.3%, to $44.76. The WisdomTree International Financial (DRF Quote) was gaining 30 cents, or 1.1%, to $28.47.

Bundled securities related to the semiconductor sector were also higher. National Semiconductor (NSM Quote), Intel (INTC Quote) and Texas Instruments (TXN Quote) were all higher by 1% or more.

The Ultra Semiconductor ProShares (USD Quote) rose $1.61, or 1.8%, to $89.96. The SPDR S&P Semiconductor (XSD Quote) was up 75 cents, or 1.4%, to $55.69. The PowerShares Dynamic Semiconductors (PSI Quote) was adding 17 cents, or 0.9%, to $19.02.

On the other hand, ETFs tracking gold and silver were among the worst performers of Wednesday's session. Recently, gold prices were losing $4.60 to $734.20 an ounce. Silver was down 13 cents to $13.48 an ounce. Copper and other precious metals were also lower.

The Market Vectors Gold Miners (GDX Quote) was down 64 cents, or 1.4%, to $43.95. The iShares Silver Trust (SLV Quote) eased 74 cents, or 0.6%, to $132.93. The iShares Comex Gold Trust (IAU Quote) was losing 22 cents, or 0.3%, to $72.24.

Bundled securities tracking homebuilders were also among the biggest losers. Among individual names, D.R. Horton (DHI Quote), Lennar (LEN Quote), Standard Pacific (SPF Quote) and Meritage Homes (MTH Quote) were losing 1.4% or more.

The iShares Dow Jones U.S. Home Construction (ITB Quote) was shedding 23 cents, or 1.1%, to $20.25. The SPDR S&P Homebuilders (XHB Quote) was falling 22 cents, or 1%, to $21.43.