The Los Angeles Business Journal’s index of the 200 biggest public companies finished up 1.5 percent this week, with 109 companies finishing up.

Leading the way was Response Genetics Inc., which posted a wider second-quarter loss but nearly doubled sales, surprising investors. Shares in the Los Angeles-based pharmaceutical research and development firm, which held its IPO in June, closed the week up 32 percent to $4.51.

Shares in technology firm First Consulting Group Inc. gained after the Long Beach company said it was selling its software business for about $8 million. Shares gained 13 percent to $9.96.

Finally, Amgen Inc. got some much needed good news. An FDA panel ruled that additional warnings were not needed on the Thousand Oaks-based biotech firm’s top-selling anemia drugs. Shares closed at $56.32, up 11 percent for the week.

On the down slide was Enova Systems Inc. Apparently, investors weren’t happy with the appointment of Mike Staran as the power management equipment maker’s chief executive. Shares dipped 21 percent to $3.30 after the announcement was made Tuesday.

Shares in executive search firm Korn/Ferry International lost 9.3 percent after staffing firms across the country dipped on news that payrolls fell for the first time in four years last month. Shares in the Los Angeles company closed at $17.22.

Lastly, shares in the third-party semiconductor testing equipment maker Tri-Tech International lost 9 percent ahead of its earnings release, which has some investors concerned. Shares closed at $15.06.