Bermuda Stock Exchange to pick up.

They link the potential trend to post-referendum stability and a traditional end of summer portfolio review by investors.

"The new Government of Premier the Hon. David Saul combined with the solid `no' vote gives credence to the possibility of a pick up, both in prices and in activity,'' said Bermuda Investment Advisory Services financial analyst Mr.

Mark Melvin in his post Labour Day market review for exchange watchers.

"Traditionally, the beginning of September marks the end of summer, the time when everyone gets back from holidays and -- refreshed and recharged -- buckles down to some serious business,'' he said.

"Happily, it's also the time when the world's stock markets tend to shake off their summer torpor and show signs of life, giving investors the chance to make some money,'' he said.

It is time to dust off the portfolio and take advantage of any upcoming market action and make the necessary adjustments, he said.

Although he believed the local exchange would pick up, Mr. Melvin added that the spiralling costs of major domestic projects and may mute price appreciation.

And it is too early to predict an "explosive'' pick-up in Bermuda exchange activity and prices, Mr. Melvin said.

"What is not certain is how the exchange is likely to move relative to foreign stock exchanges,'' he said.

He still favoured looking to the larger stocks for their greater liquidity.

Gulfstream Securities managing director Ms Carolyn Hall said she also believes the exchange will pickup steam.

"There is a normal September pickup in trading,'' she said.

She linked a recent slight increase in exchange activity to the usual September movement, plus post-referendum confidence.

Although it may be too early to say there is a trend developing, recent numbers from the exchange indicate volumes are improving.

Since August 17, the day after the resounding `no' vote, 137,612 shares have traded on the Exchange with a value of just under $1.8 million.

The biggest day of trading since the vote was August 29 when $419,643 worth of securities traded narrowly ahead of yesterday's share value of $418,792.

The exchange closed yesterday at 1,056.69, a level last achieved around the end of March and an increase of more than 35 points since the day before the date of the referendum, which was scheduled for August 15 and held on August 16 following Hurricane Felix.

The exchange closed up .62 points or .06 percent to 1,017.96 on August 14.