The Royal Gazette Bermuda Stock Exchange Index soared one percent yesterday to close the week just 15 points short of an all-time high.

Butterfield Bank was the driving force behind yesterday's advance, as its shares surged $1 (1.7 percent) on the sale of 61,135 shares to close on $59.75, within 25 cents of its 52-week high.

The only other trading yesterday centred on another financial institution, the Bermuda Commercial Bank, which dropped 25 cents (2.8 percent) to $8.75 after 873 shares were traded.

BCB Warrants also saw 291 shares change hands, as its share price remained unchanged at $1.55.

The BSX Index climbed 51.37 points (1.01 percent) to close on 5,150.43. Volume was 62,299 shares and turnover was $3,631,954.80.

The BSX Insurance Index also enjoyed a good day, climbing 5.76 points (0.48 percent) to close on 1212.08.