The Los Angeles Business Journal’s index of the 200 largest local public companies closed down for the week ended Feb. 20 as investors continued to be fearful about the economic outlook.

The weighted LABJ index was down 8 percent to 83.30 Friday compared to a week ago, with decliners outpacing gainers 159 to 26.

For a second week, several financial stocks experienced significant sell offs. This time the trigger was fear that the government may be forced to nationalize some big banks, despite White House statements it supports a privately held banking system.

FirstFed Financial Corp. plunged more than 46 percent to 32 cents. Beverly Hills Bancorp, which last month moved from the Nasdaq to the Pink Sheets to save money, fell 45 percent to 5 cents. First Regional Bancorp dropped more than 39 percent to 73 cents. East West Bancorp Inc. lost 20 percent to $7.09.

Not all banks fared poorly. Nara Bancorp Inc. recovered from a large sell-off last week, gaining 15 percent to $3.03.

Another top gainer was veterinary services provider VCA Antech Inc., which rose nearly 11 percent after reporting a 5 percent increase fourth quarter net income and giving guidance for the current year that was within Wall Street expectations.