Bridgestone Forecasts Profit Surge on Drops in Rubber, Yen

Bridgestone Corp., the world’s biggest tiremaker, forecast a 37 percent surge in profit this fiscal year as material costs decline, production increases and a weaker Japanese currency boosts the value of overseas sales.

Net income will probably jump to 235 billion yen ($2.5 billion) this year from 171.6 billion yen in 2012, Bridgestone said in a statement today. The forecast compares with the 206 billion yen average of 15 analysts’ estimates compiled by Bloomberg.