Cargolifter shares take off on talk of Boeing deal FRANKFURT, March 18 (Reuters) - Shares in German airship developer Cargolifter AG (CGLGn) soared as much as 20 percent higher on Monday amid speculation that Boeing (BA), the world's biggest planemaker, might invest in the cash-strapped firm. The stock, listed on the MDAX (MDAXI) mid-cap segment, traded up 16 percent at 5.39 euros by 1241 GMT, after gaining as much as 21 percent earlier. It topped the gainers board on the mid-cap index, which traded just 0.1 percent higher. Both companies declined to comment on Friday on press reports of a deal. "The shares are driven by speculation that Boeing will step in," said Klaus Kraenzle, an analyst at Bremer Sparkasse. "Despite liquidity problems the company is a speculative play." Cargolifter's shares have more than doubled in value since they plunged to an all-time low of 2.04 euros in January on concerns about the company's finances. Traders said the speculation overrode Saturday's bad news that Cargolifter would delay the commercial launch of its main freight airship for another year amid a growing need for funds. Cargolifter, which aims to develop airships to transport heavy plant and construction loads, said commercial production of its CL 160 would be delayed until the 2005/2006 business year, a year later than scheduled. Cargolifter, which does not expect to turn a profit until 2006/2007, said it would require an extra 130 million euros in finance on top of the 590 million funding needs it had already announced. ©2002 Reuters Limited.