of a short week of lacklustre and light trading.

The BSX Index slipped 0.931 points to close at 1577.49 on volume of 28,022 shares worth $458,429.88. There were 4.2 million cross trades valued at US$344.5 million.

Bank of Bermuda shares traded down 50 cents to close at $34.50 on volume of 3,340 shares, while Bank of Butterfield shares gained 38 cents to close at $17.50 on volume of 8,844. Bermuda Commercial Bank shares slipped 13 cents to $5 on volume of 1,000.

Bermuda Telephone Company shares -- seemingly unaffected by recent industrial action -- gained $1 to close at $35 on volume of 1,795 shares to bolster the Index.

Trading unchanged were Staples Holdings 10 percent preferred shares at $8 on volume of 11,255 while Devonshire Industries held at $13.50 on volume of 750.