State index up 11.50 to end day at 730.20

The Arkansas Index, a price-weighted index that tracks the largest public companies based in the state, closed Wednesday at 730.20, up 11.50.

“Strong corporate earnings continue to fuel investor enthusiasm as averages closed near record highs with the utilities and real estate sectors outperforming the broader market,” said Leon Lants, managing director at Stephens Inc.

The index was developed by Bloomberg News and the Democrat-Gazette with a base value of 100 as of Dec. 30, 1997.