The Royal Gazette / Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX) index was one of few share price indices in the world to achieve a gain last week.

Heavy trading in Butterfield Bank and sharp rises for utility companies resulted in a rise of more than 2.5 percent for the BSX, which climbed 97.04 points over the five days to finish at 3,814.38.

Butterfield's share price remained unchanged at $12.00, as 114,240 of the bank's shares changed hands.

KeyTech Ltd., owner of the Bermuda Telephone Company, saw its shares climb $1.85 to $11.85 over the week, a rise of 18.5 percent, as 7,900 shares traded.

Power company Belco Holdings Ltd. also enjoyed a positive week, gaining $2 (12.5 percent) to close on $18, as 3,519 shares changed hands.

Rival insurance and investment companies Argus Group Holdings Ltd. and BF&M Ltd. also advanced. Argus climbed 25 cents (2.3 percent) to $11.25 on the trading of 10,714 shares. BF&M was up 20 cents (1.1 percent) to $18.70, as 1,300 shares changed hands.

The BSX Insurance Index recovered strongly from an earlier sell-off, rising 31.85 points (4.24 percent) to end Friday's session at 782.69.