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KUALA LUMPUR: Kelanamas and Samanda shares climbed in heavy trading as punters stepped up buying in the afternoon, traders said.

Total volume rose to 208 million shares from 166 million previously, with 313 gainers and 176 losers.

Blue chips ended mixed with a strong showing by United Engineers, but Malayan Banking fell on profit taking.

"The speculative binge is still there. But rumours aside, you have to be choosy to find value stocks," said a remisier.

The Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange's Composite Index ended down 2.77 points to 1,054.43.

Speculation over takeovers and asset shuffling boosted Kelanamas, traders said. Others thought the stock was a classic speculative play by punters.

Kelanamas gained 60 cents to 6.15 ringgit, garnering a volume of 25.7 million or about 12 percent of total trade.

Samanda rose 85 cents to 9.15 ringgit on revived talk that a shareholder may be selling his stake.

United Engineers rose 40 cents to a new 1995 high of 18.20 ringgit on continued fund accumulation. Malayan Banking gave back all of yesterday's gain, losing 40 cents to 20.70 ringgit.-Reuter