Island stocks edged higher last week on gains in the utilities sector.

Watlington Waterworks was the biggest climber, gaining 50 cents, or 4.76 percent, during the five days of trading, to close on $11, as 1,000 shares changed hands.

KeyTech Ltd., owner of the Bermuda Telephone Company and M3 Wireless, also registered a small gain, rising five cents, or 0.55 percent, on the trading of 100 shares.

The biggest utilities company to trade on the Bermuda Stock Exchange — Belco owner Ascendant Group Ltd. — also traded, but remained unchanged on $16, as 1,297 shares changed hands.

Domestic insurers were also active traders. Five thousand Argus Group Holdings Ltd. shares changed hands, and 4,695 shares of BF&M Ltd. too, but both companies closed the week unchanged.

The biggest trader was Butterfield Bank, which was also unchanged on $5 on the trading of 33,345 shares. The secondary market in the bank's preference shares was also busy, with 85 shares changing hands as the price remained on $1,250.

The Royal Gazette / BSX Index rose 2.24 points, or 0.9 percent, to close the week on 2,376.67.

Total volume was more than 46,000 shares, while Bermuda dollar turnover was $324,296 and US dollar turnover topped $114,800.