The Los Angeles Business Journal’s index of the 200 largest local public companies closed up for the week ended Dec. 19, as the markets cheered news that President Bush had approved using federal bailout funds for a $17.4 million loan to beleaguered U.S. auto makers.

The weighted local index closed up 5 percent to $94.93 Friday compared to a week ago, with gainers outpacing decliners 107 to 80.

The top gainer was Entravision Communications Corp., which gained 173 percent to $1.67. The Santa Monica-based Spanish language TV and radio station owner earlier in the week had been warned by the New York Stock Exchange that it needed to maintain an average closing price of at least $1 during a 30-day period.

Maguire Properties Inc. rose 82 percent to $2.80. The Los Angeles real estate investment trust said it executed a lease renewal with Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. for approximately 45,000 square feet at Two California Plaza located in downtown Los Angeles.

Two other REITS also performed well for the week. Santa Monica-based shopping mall operator Macerich Co. closed the week up 76 percent to $20.84. Pasadena-based Alexandria Real Estate Equities Inc., which leases space to life science companies, rose 44 percent to $55.59.

Shares of American Apparel Inc. ended the week down 29 percent to $2.30, despite a strong showing Friday. The trendy apparel manufacturer-retailer, which earlier in the week announced several hundred layoffs worldwide, soared after announcing it renegotiated the terms of more than $100 million in debt, extending the maturity date until April.

Center Financial Corp. lost 9 percent to $2.41. The L.A.-based holding company for Center Bank said it settled all disputes with First Intercontinental Bank concerning its cancelled acquisition of the Georgia commercial bank; it will pay Intercontinental $100,000 without admitting any wrongdoing.