Leighton Holdings Ltd is hoping for growth in profits in the year 2010, with the stabilization of the economy. With the announcement, its shares were up more than 8 percent.

During the current year, the company forecasts a rise in the net profit to about A$600 million ($506 million), provided there are no hindrances to the investments and the revenue crosses A$19 billion.

Chief Executive, Wal King, said, "The tide is coming in and every time the tide has come in it has always gone to a new high watermark."

According to King, the growth in the profits in 2010 would be the founding year for substantial profits and revenues from 2011 and onwards.

Leighton's shares went up nearly 8.7 percent, traded 6.8 percent higher at A$33.15.

The infrastructure market in Australia is expected to remain strong and its iron ore and coal are expected to grow, just as the markets in Asia and the Middle East are also expected to recover.

King said: "Hong Kong, Indonesia, Mongolia and Abu Dhabi are the markets with the most likely prospects in the short term."