Bridgestone Rolls Up Huge Profits

Japan tire maker Bridgestone Corp announced that profits for the first half of 2007 were up 61%.

No mystery…the more Japanese cars sell, the more tires that get sold.

France's Michelin SA is the world's largest tire maker. Bridgestone is number two.

Sales were up. Exchange rates were favorable. Raw material costs were

high.

Bridgestone execs are predicting net income to approach $1 billion this year up 20% over last year…as long as car and truck sales increase, which they will.

The only worry – more increases in raw materials.