During trading today, the S&P 500 dropped 1%, and the Financial sector (XLF) showed little change.

The ETF, as a proxy for the sector, tracked closer to the overall market today than over the past week. Entering today's trading, XLF was down 2.9% over the last seven trading days while the S&P 500 climbed -0.3%.

Whiting USA Trust I (WHX) was a major gainer in the sector, rising 10.4% (+$1.05) to close at $11.14 with 1.2 million shares moving. The stock traded in a range of $10.16 to $11.44.

Acacia Research Corporation (ACTG) was one of the sector's big losers, as its price dropped 8.3% (-$2.82) to close at $31.27. 1.2 million shares of the stock moved. The stock traded in a range of $31.14 to $33.38. Over the last three months, the stock has lost $9.04 (-22.4%) from a price of $40.31 on April 25, 2012.

Bank of Marin Bancorp (BMRC) rose 2.1% to close at $37.25, cross its 50-day moving average of $36.86 and 200-day moving average of $37.06. ICICI Bank (IBN) declined 4.1% to close at $32.48, moving below its 50-day moving average of $31.65 and 200-day moving average of $32.50.

RPX (RPXC) rose 3.5% to close at $13.66, approaching its 50-day moving average of $14.03. It has also moved closer to its 200-day moving average of $15.41. United States Gasoline Fund (UGA) fell 2.6% to close at $53.08, moving down to 2.1% above its 200-day moving average of $51.98.

Tortoise Power & Energy Infrstrct Fd (TPZ) hit a new 52-week high today, reaching $26.69 to top the previous high of $26.62.

Shinhan Financial Group (SHG) hit a new 52-week low today, hitting $58.27 to fall below the previous low of $61.15.