De Beers is primed to set yet another sales record this year. Analysts predict that the company will end the year 2000 with sales of $5.5 billion, topping 1999’s number of $5.24 billion and reaching the company’s goal for the year, which was to equal 1999’s sales results.

Observers credited the healthy U.S. economy and the generally optimistic market sentiment for the strong results. However, the last few sights of the year were small-a sign, some say, of a possible downturn ahead.