Oct. 25--A drop in shares of Continental Airlines helped drive down the Asbury Park Press/Bloomberg 75 index 1 percent last week.

The index, made of 75 companies either based at the Shore or with a significant presence in New Jersey, closed at 106.69 on Friday, up 1.09, or 1.01 percent. The index has gained 10.76 percent this year.

Fifty-four companies declined and 21 gained.

Continental Airlines saw the biggest drop by percentage, closing at $12.58, down $3.33 or 20.9 percent.

Last week, Continental reported its eighth consecutive quarterly loss as airlines struggle with a drop in corporate travel during the recession. The carrier's savings on $926 million on jet fuel didn't make up for a 20 percent decline in revenue from fewer passengers.

Other companies that saw a large percentage decline included: Knight Capital Group Inc., $18.54, up 3.92, or 17.5 percent; The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., $9.31, down $1.72, or 15.6 percent; Opnext Inc., $2.83, down 36 cents, or 11.3 percent; Avis Budget Group, $10.37, down $1.29 or 11.1 percent; and Holmdel-based Vonage Holdings Corp., $1.45, down 12 cents, or 7.64 percent.

Last week, Knight Capital reported earnings that missed estimates as smaller price swings hurt its equity trading profits and expenses rose from developing its bond business.

Companies that saw a gain in price last week included: PNC Financial Services, $52.41, up $7.70, or 17.2 percent; The Macerich Co., $31.02, up $1.86, or 6.38 percent; Valley National Bancorp, $13.18, up 70 cents, or 5.61 percent; Red Bank-based Hovnanian Enterprises, $4.30, up 16 cents, or 3.86 percent; and Dun & Bradstreet, $78.75, up $2.76, or 3.63 percent.

Bloomberg News Service contributed to this report.

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