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February 12, 1999 9:30 AM, EST

NAPLES, Fla. — Trucking and freight companies of all kinds are confident that the economic environment will remain strong throughout 1999, despite some forecasts of an overdue downturn.

Many of the 65 executives speaking at the annual transportation and aerospace conference sponsored by BT Alex. Brown, a New York investment firm, were not fearful of the Asian financial crisis, Brazil’s economic problems or predictions that the United States would experience a slump.

Instead, the executives predicted the good times would continue to roll as the millennium draws to a close.

“If you don’t read the Wall Street Journal, then everything seems to point in a pretty good direction right now,” said Jerry C. Moyes, chairman of Swift Transportation Co. of Phoenix. “We’re working with our shippers, and they seem very optimistic.”

For the full story, see the Feb. 15 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.