An increase in Argus Group's share price helped push The Royal Gazette/Bermuda Stock Exchange Index up more than 17 points yesterday, but trading was thin.

The Index closed up 17.32 points at 4,827.90, but Argus was the only issue to trade, with 300 shares changing hands up 50 cents to $13.50. The value of the trading was $4,050.

Argus reported record half-year results last week and predicted a strong full year result.

Bermuda-based international insurers and reinsurers were mixed, with Endurance Specialty Holdings down 1.03 percent to $48.02 and Aspen Holdings off 0.96 percent at $26.75.

Montpelier Re shares jumped 1.09 percent to $19.39 while Assured Guaranty was up 1.07 percent to $26.35.

Ace, which said yesterday it expected full year earnings to double 2005's hurricane-battered results, fell 0.52 percent to $57.65, while Marsh, which also released an earnings outlook yesterday, was down 0.22 percent to $31.80.