Bridgestone sales up 9% in Q1
In a quarter punctuated by recovering domestic and US markets, a stagnant and unstable European economy, and slowing economic expansion in Asia, Bridgestone Corporation posted net sales of ¥794.5 billion (£5.2 billion) in the three months from 1 January to 31 March, a year-on-year increase of nine per cent. Operating income amounted to ¥74.4 billion (£483.6 million), 18 per cent higher than in the first quarter of 2012, while operating margin rose 0.7 per cent year-on-year to 9.4 per cent. Ordinary income was up 14 per cent to ¥70.1 billion (£455.6 million), and net income rose two per cent to ¥43.1 billion (£280.1 million).