Bridgestone raises sales forecast on ‘record results’

Tokyo, Japan – Bridgestone has raised its sales forecast for 2026 as it reported record sales and adjusted operating profit for the first nine months of 2026.

Revenue for the nine months to end of September increased 9.9% year-on-year to Yen3,554 billion (€20 billion), while adjusted operating profit rose 20.9% to Yen445 billion, the Japanese tire maker announced 12 Nov.

Bridgestone said the results reflected continued "sales volume growth and improvements in pricing and sales mix," despite the impact of higher raw-material costs becoming more pronounced in the third quarter.

The group also benefited from "a tailwind from Yen depreciation," which contributed to record revenue and adjusted operating profit.

For the third quarter alone, revenue increased 10% year-on-year to Yen1,232 billion, while adjusted operating profit rose 23% to Yen164.4 billion.

The tire maker said higher raw-material costs had reduced third-quarter earnings by Yen23 billion compared to the year before, offsetting benefits recorded during the first half.

For the nine months, improved product mix contributed Yen18 billion to earnings, while higher volumes, pricing and exchange rate added Yen23 billion, Yen12 billion and Yen44 billion to earnings.

Meanwhile higher operating expenses had a negative impact of Yen33 billion, while US tariff-related costs had a negative impact of Yen24 billion.

For the full year, Bridgestone raised its revenue forecast to Yen4,700 billion, up from Yen4,500 billion previously.

The revision, it said, reflected currency assumptions, the Middle East situation and the effects of business measures.

The group maintained its full-year adjusted operating profit forecast at Yen515 billion but said there was "potential upside to full-year profit guidance," based on performance to date.

Bridgestone said it expected "a more challenging business environment" in the fourth quarter, including a greater impact from higher raw-material costs.

The Japanese group estimated the cost impact of the Middle East situation at Yen70 billion for the year, slightly higher than the August estimate.

The group also addressed the 8 Nov fire at its Tosu tire plant in Japan. (ERJ report)

While the financial impact remained under assessment, Bridgestone said it expected the effect on full-year guidance to be "limited."