The Royal Gazette/Bermuda Stock Exchange Index shook off recent declines to soar to an all- time high yesterday, jumping 233.38 points or 4.75 percent to close at 5,149.04 as Belco shares moved up.

On a quiet day of trading on the Exchange, Belco, which earlier this week announced a 100 percent share divided, rose $12 or more than 50 percent to close at $34 as investors traded 2,400 shares.

Butterfield Bank gained 25 cents to close at $59.50 on volume of 32,950 shares and Bermuda Press Holdings traded in 10 shares to close unchanged at $14.50.

The total value of the shares bought and sold on the BSX yesterday was $2,043,470.00 and the overall volume of shares was 35,360.

The Bermuda Insurance Index also gained, rising 2.13 points to close at 1040.2.