Butterfield Bank and Belco Holdings each gained nearly three percent yesterday to lead local stocks to a positive day of trading.

The bank rose 15 cents, or 2.9 percent, to $5.35, on the trading of 37,200 shares. Yesterday's gain means Butterfield has now gained 53 percent in the space of the seven trading days since it announced its first-quarter results.

But the bank's share price is still down 48 percent in the year to date.

Energy company Belco gained 45 cents, or 2.8 percent, to $16.25, as 2,300 of its shares changed hands.

The Royal Gazette / Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX) Index rose 34.43 points, or 1.5 percent, to close the day on 2,339.

A total of 39,500 shares were traded and turnover was $233,425.