Gains in the stock prices of Somers Ltd and Ascendant Group Ltd helped to drive the local stock market higher last week.

Somers, the parent company of Bermuda Commercial Bank, climbed 40 cents, or 3.3 percent in Bermuda Stock Exchange trading to close the first week of the year at $12.40 as 5,000 shares traded.

Ascendant, which owns electricity company Belco, rose 24 cents, or 2.4 percent, as 1,800 shares changed hands.

Watlington Waterworks was another stock to climb, gaining 25 cents, or 1.6 percent, as 3,900 shares traded.

The one stock to fall was telecommunications company KeyTech Ltd, which slumped 15 cents, or 2.5 percent, on the trading of 2,000 shares.

The trading week, which was shortened to four days because of the New Year’s Day holiday, ended with The Royal Gazette/BSX Index at 1,203.37, up 2.84 points, or 0.23 percent.

Volume was 28,424 shares and turnover was $391,580.