Moghadam delivered his comments in AMB's quarterly earnings conference call with financial analysts. In his introductory remarks to the conference call, Moghadam said that 2010 "is shaping up to be a very good year for us." Among the factors he cited in AMB's positive outlook were improvements in global trade, increasing confidence among the company's customers and better-than-expected financial results from transportation-based logistics providers.

Moghadam pointed out that, since bottoming in early 2009, global trade "has been improving at a healthy pace in both the ocean and the air sectors." Container volumes through the major global ports are up about 24% from the trough, although still 7% to 10% below comparable periods in 2007 and 2008, he noted. International air cargo is up 28% year-to-date from its January 2009 trough, which Moghadam called "an unexpected and positive surprise" that is the result of "customers who continue to manage their lean inventory." Air cargo volumes are now only about 5% to 10% below peak levels, he added.

Regarding customer sentiment, the AMB chief—who pointed out in last quarter's conference call that customers were beginning to express confidence—said that confidence continued to grow in the latest quarter, although it will be some time before that confidence translates into increased demand. Other factors that Moghadam cited in his presentation included increases in manufacturing, industrial production and consumer spending.