RIG-BUILDERS spent a grim Friday, amid fears over a possible slimming in their once-bulging order books.

This was in contrast to the gains made by other blue-chip stocks which basked in the relief rally that hoisted regional bourses higher as the dreary trading week dragged to a close.

Investors were spooked by a flurry of analysts' sell calls on rig-builders, following Keppel Corp's sudden announcement on Thursday that three of its existing orders could be cancelled.

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