Bridgestone Corp has announced a 32.5 per cent increase in profits, resulting from increased sales volumes and prices increases. While the company appears to have offset the effects of higher raw material costs, Bridgestone executives have left the business’ annual outlook unchanged.
Superior Industries International, Inc has announced operating results for the third quarter and first nine months of 2005 in-line with management’s prior guidance and analysts’ expectations. For the three months ended 30 September 2005, revenue decreased 5.9 per cent to $187,618,000 from $199,328,000 for the third quarter of 2004. Wheel revenue declined 7.2 per cent to $178,288,000 from $192,164,000, as unit wheel shipments declined 7.8 per cent. Components revenue increased 30.2 per cent to $9,330,000 from $7,164,000.
Michelin is to report a sales increase of 4.5 per cent when the French manufacturer hosts a quarterly conference call this evening. Deutsche Bank analysts said the increase was entirely attributable to an improved price/mix effect. The analysts also pointed out that, with regards to EBIT, the improved price/mix effect should more than offset the “raw material price headwind” which is estimated at 80 – 90 million euros. The company is also effected to benefit from its policy of high-cost workforce reduction.
Deutsche Bank analysts have published a “buy” rating for shares in Sumitomo Rubber Industries. The bank says it sees potential for the company’s share price to grow in the region of 20 per cent. “SRI’s earnings are much better than expected and the acquisition of TBC Tyres in North America through Sumitomo Corporation brings additional positive aspects,” Deutsche Bank representatives reported.
At the same time the bank’s analysts lowered their expectations for Cooper shares and issued a “hold” rating for the company’s stock. Analysts from Deutsche Bank lowered their expectations to $13.50. “Due to weaker demand the company is obviously not meeting the turnover target this year,” the analysts commented.
Continental is to increase its production capacity in so-called low cost European countries by 3-4 million units each year, analysts have reported. Given the fact that labour costs in Western Europe are five times higher compared to Central and Eastern Europe the Deutsche Bank analysts calculate a competitive advantage of five euros per tyre.
Cooper shares fell six per cent after the company withdrew its third-quarter earnings forecast, thestreet.com reported. The announcement was said to be in response to a number of factors including: “softer industry demand in the North American replacement tyre market; changes in raw-material costs; higher shipping and transportations costs; and higher energy costs,” the company said. In August, Cooper predicted it would post third-quarter earnings of between 10 and 14 cents a share, including a charge of 8 cents a share related to a strike at one of its Arkansas tyre plants and a loss of 4 cents a share related to an “unusual tax rate.” Analysts had been expecting earnings of 9 cents a share. As a result of the announcement, share value dropped 81 cents to $13.74
International ratings agency Fitch Ratings has said that the settlement between Bridgestone and the Ford Motor Company could pave the way for Bridgestone to improve profitability in its US operations. The settlement, which is in relation to the infamous “August 2000 Firestone/Ford Explorer Tyre Recall” problem, will have a negative effect on Bridgestone’s financial position in the short term. Despite this Fitch affirmed Bridgestone’s senior unsecured foreign currency rating at ‘A’ with stable outlook and short-term rating at ‘F1.’
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has announced plans to launch a new airship in the spring of 2006 to be deployed to its Pompano Beach, Florida operation. The new airship has been in production for the past two years as a previously scheduled 2006 replacement for the Stars & Stripes, which has operated in Florida since 1992.
The Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association (JATMA) has reported that domestic tyre production grew to 13.5 million units in August, up 1.1 per cent year-on-year. The 13th successive month is significant because output levels are generally down in August, when factories shut down for summer holidays.
Continental Tire North America has announced that it is increasing prices on its replacement passenger and light truck/SUV tyres by up to 8 per cent. However, the increase is not due to take effect until 1 January 2006. The price increase includes all Continental, General and private brand tyres.
Less than a month ago, Continental announced a second price increase in the US (passenger and light truck tyres), of between 3 and 8 per cent, which became effective 1 October after a 6 per cent rise last February. Analysts expect Continental and the industry in general to fully offset raw material price increases.
Deutsche Bank analysts have downgraded Bridgestone shares to hold. The news comes after the Japanese company’s share price reached the analysts’ target level. Bridgestone shares are now rated as ‘hold,’ with a modified target price of 2450 yen against the previous level of 2500 yen.
Cooper Tire will have to slow production by approximately 30,000 tyres per day due to raw material supply disruptions associated with Hurricane Rita, analysts have reported.
Sibur, may float its tyre business or sell a part of it to a strategic partner before 2008, analysts have suggested. Analysts from several brokerages, including Aton and UFG, quoted Sibur senior vice president Dmitry Konov as telling them the plan was part of a broader restructuring programme for the company. He said the tyre business would be kept separate through its Sibur Russian Tires holding, which will hold stakes in the four tyre plants — Yarshina, Omskshina, Voltire and Uralshina.
(Akron/Tire Review) Reuters reported last week that a ship carrying some 1,500 tonnes of natural rubber for delivery to tyre companies ran aground off the coast of Sumatra near Indonesia. Most of the rubber was reportedly intended for Bridgestone Corp and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co facilities in the US.
(Akron/Tire Review) While rescue efforts continue in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which slammed into the US’s Gulf Coast near New Orleans and Biloxi, Missouri, Monday, government officials and business analysts are trying to piece together the impact that devastating storm will have on American industry and the global market – particularly oil prices.
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