The Los Angeles Business Journal’s index of the 200 largest local public companies closed up for the week ended May 1. Despite mixed economic and earnings news late in the week, investors extended the overall markets’ recent gains.

The weighted LABJ index rose 2.8 percent to 92.70 Friday compared to a week ago, with gainers outpacing decliners 119 to 58.

Earnings surprises led the week’s strongest gainers. Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. ended the week up 54 percent to $11.06 after the El Segundo sporting goods retailer released first quarter earnings and a second quarter outlook that far exceeded Wall Street expectations.

DineEquity Inc., the Glendale parent of the IHOP and Applebee’s restaurant chains, rose 49 percent to $33.61, also on better-than-expected first quarter earnings, despite lower revenue. It was the second straight week of gains for the chain.

Manhattan Beach sneaker maker Skechers USA Inc. said inventory reductions and lower operating expenses enabled it to report a first quarter profit that also was better than expected. Its shares ended the week up 30 percent to $11.73.

On the downside, Pasadena construction services company Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. fell 14.5 percent to $38.11after reporting higher first quarter profit, but cutting its outlook for the full year.

Abraxis BioScience Inc. ended the week down 10 percent to $46.77 after founder and Chief Executive Patrick Soon-Shiong announced he was stepping down from the Los Angeles cancer drug maker to lead a spinoff company that will develop cutting-edge personalized medicine technologies.