attracting worldwide media attention.

International news agency Reuters yesterday reported that the BSX was set for its own `big bang' with the October launch of a trading system. The exchange has set October 1, 1998, for the first day of trading using BEST -- Bermuda Electronic Securities Trading -- according to chief executive William Woods, the agency reported.

"The implementation of BEST will comprise our own mini `big bang' as we will move to continuous trading from 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., switching to decimal pricing and implementing automated execution all at the same time.''