Insurance and utility company shares were the flavour of the day on the Royal Gazette / Bermuda Stock Exchange as it rose 23.08 points (0.45 percent) to 5,123.78.

Belco shares improved in value by 80 cents (3.5 percent) to $23.80 after 1,500 were traded.

In the insurance sector BF&M shares rose for a second consecutive day, this time putting on 50 cents (2.6 percent) to end at a 12-month high of $19.50 after 7,705 were exchanged.

And 153 shares of Argus Group swapped hands as they improved in value by five cents (0.3 percent) to $15.05.

Also seeing trading were Butterfield Bank shares, with 570 traded but no change to the closing price of $59.25. Neither was there any chance in the value of Bermuda Commercial Bank shares after 20 were exchanged at $8.75.

The total number of shares traded on the exchange was 9,948, representing a value of $219,942.50.