Dion's Monday ETF Winners and Losers

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Welcome to Don Dion's Daily ETF Winners and Losers. Be sure to stop by each day to get a feel of who's winning and who's losing when it comes to ETFs.

Winners

Guggenheim Solar Energy ETF (TAN) 4.2%

The solar energy industry is gaining on Monday, allowing TAN to continue along its upward trajectory. China's Suntech Power Holdings (STP) is leading this industry higher, locking in over 11% gains in early afternoon trading.

As I've explained, TAN is still a volatile product. However, the fund may prove to be a lucrative investment as we head into the closing months of 2010.

iShares MSCI Israel Capped Investable Market Index Fund (EIS) 2.2%

Generic drug giant, Teva Pharmaceuticals (TEVA) is not solely responsible for the rise in EIS today, despite the firm making up over 20% of the fund's total portfolio. Instead, smaller positions such as Makhteshim Agan Industries are helping the fund higher. Today, this firm was up nearly 30%.

Another international-focused ETF heading higher today was iShares MSCI Turkey Investable Market Index Fund (TUR).

Market Vectors Coal ETF (KOL) 1.8%

The markets are trading slightly higher today, aiding industries such as coal which benefit in times of economic strength. Within KOL, companies such as Alpha Natural Resources (ANR) and Arch Coal (ACI) are leading the way, gaining approximately 2% higher.

KOL will be a strong play if the markets continue higher. Bullish investors should keep this fund on their radars.

Losers

iPath S&P 500 VIX Short Term Futures ETN (VXX) -1.5%

Today's tepid gains are putting pressure on the fear-based VIX ETNs. VXX continues to lead investors lower, carving out new all-time lows. Meanwhile, VXX's cousin, the iPath S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures ETN (VXJ) is on the verge of testing $82.5. This level has been an area of support throughout the summer season. It will be exciting to watch in coming days to see if this level holds up.

Overall, VXX and VXZ are best only for spectators. Investors looking for reliable positions should turn their attention elsewhere.

iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund (EWT) -1.2%

Weakness can be felt across much of the Asian continent on Monday as EWT, Market Vectors Indonesia ETF (IDX) and iShares MSCI South Korea Index Fund (EWY) trade lower. While these nations lag, China is actually trading higher. The PowerShares Golden Dragon Halter USX Portfolio (PGJ) is one of seeing strength today, jumping 1.9%.

United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) -1.4%

UNG is yet to show any signs of stabilizing. On Monday, the fund once again treaded lower to a new all-time low. Despite the tumble in natural gas futures prices, gas producers are managing to stay in positive territory. First Trust ISE-Revere Natural Gas Index Fund (FCG) was up 0.6% in early afternoon trading.

Oil prices are heading lower today as well. The United States Oil Fund (USO) is down 0.5%.

All prices as of 2:16 PM EST.

At the time of publication, Dion Money Management owned TUR.

Don Dion is president and founder of Dion Money Management, a fee-based investment advisory firm to affluent individuals, families and nonprofit organizations, where he is responsible for setting investment policy, creating custom portfolios and overseeing the performance of client accounts. Founded in 1996 and based in Williamstown, Mass., Dion Money Management manages assets for clients in 49 states and 11 countries. Dion is a licensed attorney in Massachusetts and Maine and has more than 25 years' experience working in the financial markets, having founded and run two publicly traded companies before establishing Dion Money Management.

Dion also is publisher of the Fidelity Independent Adviser family of newsletters, which provides to a broad range of investors his commentary on the financial markets, with a specific emphasis on mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. With more than 100,000 subscribers in the U.S. and 29 other countries, Fidelity Independent Adviser publishes six monthly newsletters and three weekly newsletters. Its flagship publication, Fidelity Independent Adviser, has been published monthly for 11 years and reaches 40,000 subscribers.