An 8.5-percent rise in the share price of insurer BF&M Ltd. helped to push up The Royal Gazette Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX) index on Monday.

BF&M gained $1.50 to close the day at $19.25, just 25 cents short of its 52-week high, as 2,600 shares were traded.

The BSX index rose 6.58 points (0.13 percent) to close on 5,149.29. The BSX Insurance Index gained 1.95 points (0.15 percent) to close on 1,305.93.

Butterfield Bank was the busiest issue, seeing 50,805 shares change hands, as its share value dipped by 25 cents (0.4 percent) to finish at $60.

A total of 2,000 KeyTech Ltd. shares changed hands, but the telecommunications company remained unchanged at $15.

The BSX was closed yesterday for the public holiday held to mark the funeral of Dame Lois Browne Evans.