yesterday, plummeting a record 64.98 points, and losing 3.9 percent of its value, as advances led declines three to two.

A BSX spokesman said that officials there could find no other single day drop in the index as high.

The index fell as its largest capitalised domestic listing, Bank of Bermuda, dropped 7.9 percent, losing $3 and closing at $35 on a volume of 9,270. It followed a recent period of significant gains in the share price.

It's third largest domestic listing by market capitalisation, BELCO Holdings Ltd., lost two percent or 50 cents to close at $24 on a volume of 2,483.

Bank of Bermuda warrants rose 50 cents or 4.5 percent to $11.50, Argus Insurance was 50 cents or 2.9 percent higher at $17.50 and Bermuda Aviation Services Ltd. was 50 cents or 10.5b percent higher at $5.25.

A total of 20,404 shares changed hands, valued at $454,257.