Leif Hoegh Profits Expected To Rise

Norwegian shipping group Leif Hoegh & Co. last Wednesday forecast continued gains in operating profits in 2000 after a leap in the first quarter. Operating profits rose to $16.79 million in the three months to March 31 from $9.26 million in the same period of 1999. Leif Hoegh swung to a net profit of $6.22 million from a loss of $41.53 million.