The Los Angeles Business Journal’s index of the largest local public companies closed up for the week ended March 5 after February’s national employment report showed fewer jobs were lost than expected.

The weighted LABJ index rose more than 3 percent to 115.40, with gainers outpacing decliners 136 to 44.

The top local gainer was Los Angeles water utility services provider Southwest Water Co., which soared 51 percent to $10.35 after announcing it would be bought by a private equity group.

CKE Restaurants Inc., the Carpinteria parent of Carl’s Jr., was another leading gainer, rising 26 percent to $11.28 after agreeing to be acquired by a Boston private equity firm.

Calabasas audio technology company DTS Inc. gained 24 percent to $34.14 after reporting fourth quarter profits that exceeded Wall Street expectations.

Glendale restaurant operator, DineEquity Inc., rose 20 percent to $35.14 after forecasting improved 2010 sales at its Applebee’s and IHOP restaurants.

Among the biggest decliners was Chatsworth medical device maker IRIS International, Inc. which fell 8 percent to $10.73 having reported 42 percent decline in fourth quarter net income the previous week.

Staar Surgical Co., a Monrovia maker of ophthalmic products, ended the week down 4.6 percent $3.50 despite reporting a rise in fourth-quarter revenue.