Dion's Friday ETF Winners and Losers

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Welcome to Don Dion's "ETF Winners and Losers." Be sure to stop by throughout the week to find out which ETFs are gaining or losing.

Winners

iPath Dow Jones UBS Natural Gas Subindex Total Return ETN (GAZ) 7.9%

Natural gas futures-tracking exchange traded products are heading higher, led by the premium-laden GAZ. The bounce from the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) is particularly welcomed. Since hitting all-time lows, it has begun to show some signs of stabilizing. Nevertheless, I continue to urge investors to steer clear.

Other energy-related products are closing out the week on a strong note. The producer-focused SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Equipment & Services Index ETF (XES) is up over 2.5%.

Guggenheim Shipping ETF (SEA) 4.6%

With a history of low volume, I do not feel that SEA is well suited for conservative investors. However, on Friday, the fund is leading the pack thanks to impressive gains from firms like Frontline (FRO). The company is up around 20% following news that, with a shortage of tankers, rates have increased.

Market Vectors Solar Energy ETF (KWT) 3.2%

The sun is shining on solar energy stocks, extending KWT's winning streak into a second day. Although KWT and the Guggenheim Solar ETF (TAN) have enjoyed some solid strength over the past two weeks, I still feel that conservative investors are best off watching these funds from the sidelines.

Losers

Market Vectors Vietnam ETF (VNM) -1.9%

A mixed week is ending on a choppy note for the Vietnam ETF. VNM kicked off the start of the year on a strong note. However, as we have pushed through March, the rally appears to have slowed considerably. Fellow fast-mover, the Market Vectors India Small Cap ETF (SCIF) is also struggling. The fund is currently locking in its third consecutive day of losses.

SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB) -1.4%

Homebuilder stocks are sliding into the weekend. Although this downturn is noteworthy, it is not surprising. Over the past two weeks, shares of XHB and the iShares Dow Jones U.S. Home Construction Index Fund (ITB) have pushed higher on a largely uninterrupted path.

Next week will be an important one for this corner of the housing sector with a number of real estate-related reports slated for release.

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