Dion's Thursday ETF Winners & Losers

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

iShares S&P North America Technology Multimedia & Networking Index Fund (IGN) 1.9%

The networking ETF is witnessing strength despite the mixed action taking place in the marketplace. JDS Uniphase (JDSU), one of IGN's 10 largest holdings, is one of the index's biggest movers. After reporting solid earnings, shares of the company jumped nearly 10%.

JDSU represents close to 5% of IGN's index.

iShares Dow Jones Transportation Average Index Fund (IYT) 1.6%

The transports-linked IYT is getting a lift, helped higher by strong action from top holdings FedEx (FDX) and Expeditors International of Washington (EXPD). The airlines are providing the fund with some welcomed fuel as well. Delta (DAL), United Continental (UAL) and AMR were all up over 5% during early afternoon trading.

SPDR S&P Homebuilder ETF (XHB) 1.0%

Homebuilders are gaining ground, lifting XHB and the iShares Dow Jones U.S. Home Construction Index Fund (ITB) into positive territory.

For XHB, this jump is welcomed; the fund has suffered through three consecutive days of losses.

The residential housing industry remains heavily marred in uncertainty. Investors looking for a more stable real estate play should turn to REIT-focused funds such as the iShares Cohen & Steers Realty Majors Index Fund (ICF).

Losers

iShares Silver Trust (SLV) -8.5%

Silver prices are tumbling again, leading the physically based SLV and ETFS Physical Silver Shares (SIVR) to steep losses.

With Thursday's decline, SLV has retreated to levels last seen during the latter half of March.

Other precious metals options are facing pressure as well. ETFS Physical Palladium Shares (PALL) and iShares Gold Trust (IAU) were both notable decliners.

United States Oil Fund (USO) -7.9%

The oil futures-based USO is getting hit hard today during today's broad commodities weakness. The fund is tumbling for the fourth day in a row.

Natural gas is not fairing much better. During afternoon trading, shares of the futures-backed United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) were down over 6%.

PowerShares DB Base Metals Fund (DBB) -3.4%

While precious metals appear to be leading this sweeping commodities retreat, base materials are feeling pressure as well. Thanks to the declines witnessed from copper and other industrious resources, the PowerShares DB Base Metals Fund (DBB) has scored a spot among the day's biggest losers.

All prices as of 2:15 PM EST

At the time of publication, Dion Money Management was long ICF and IAU.