The Los Angeles Business Journal’s index of largest local public companies fell slightly for the week ended April 1 as oil prices jumped on positive economic reports from both the United States and China.

The weighted LABJ index closed down 0.25 percent to 124.44, with gainers outpacing decliners 108 to 64.

Ameron International Corp. dropped 11.5 percent to $68.25. Shareholders at the pipe maker’s annual meeting elected to the board the head of a hedge fund that has been calling for the ouster of the company’s longtime chief executive.

AeroVironment Inc. fell 10 percent to $30.76. The Monrovia drone maker’s Global Observer aircraft crashed during Friday morning test flight. A Wall Street analyst downgraded shares from “buy” to “hold.”

American Apparel Inc. ended the week down 6 percent to 90 cents. The Los Angeles apparel company reported that it swung to a loss last year and warned that may have to seek bankruptcy protection.

Among the biggest gainers was Commerce apparel company Joe’s Jeans Inc., which jumped 25 percent to $1.09 on some positive industry analyst reports.

K-Swiss Inc. rose 14 percent to $11.53. Investors in the Westlake Village shoe company were encouraged by several recent stock purchases by Chief Executive Steven Nichols.