Friday proved to be a day of big trading, as Bermuda Commercial Bank rose 25 percent ($1.50) and The Ascendant Group Ltd. was up 19.66 percent ($2.95) on The Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX).

BCB traded 500 shares to close on $7.50 and The Ascendant Group reached $17.95 with 170 shares changing hands.

However, Butterfield Bank's common shares dropped 10 cents (2.85 percent) to $3.40, as 3,100 shares were transacted.

Other traders included Argus Group Holdings Ltd. and BF&M Ltd., which traded 313 and 191 shares respectively, but both of their shares prices held firm.

The Index, as a whole, increased 51.84 points (2.58 percent) to 2,064.51, with 4,274 shares worth $23,110.35 changing hands.

The BSX Insurance Index was also up 4.51 points (0.48 percent) at 942.56.