Stocks were awaiting the release of the...

Stocks were awaiting the release of the Consumer Price Index expected out today) before making a run at a new recovery high, said Irving Katz, director of research for Thomas Greene/San Diego Securities.

The largest percentage gainer of the week was Molecular Biosystems, gaining $3.75 to make a new high of $23. No announcement has been made since its $31-million marketing pact with a Japanese pharmaceutical firm to market its Albunex ultrasound contrast agent.

Price Co. gained $3.25 as reservations about the imminent preferred share dividend became secondary to the prospects of Price’s excellent growth potential. Home Federal made a new high of $37, up 49% from its 1988 year-end close of $24.875. The stock has been making successive weekly highs, culminating this past week as the House Banking Subcommittee voted Thursday to permit bank holding companies to immediately begin acquiring both insolvent and healthy savings and loans.

Other financial institutions reaching new highs were BSD Bancorp, which is selling just below its year-end book value. First National Corp. released excellent first-quarter earnings of $.36 per share, contrasted with $.09 last year, and is selling very close to its year’s high of $14.50.

Annual meetings scheduled this week include that of San Diego Gas & Electric, which meets today to confirm its merger with Southern California Edison. DH Technology and Kaypro both meet Wednesday morning.