Bridgestone has released its consolidated financial report for the first half of Fiscal 2026. During the reporting period, the Group’s adjusted operating profit climbed 20% year-on-year to ¥280.9 billion (equivalent to €15.4 billion), while total revenue reached ¥2,321.7 billion, rising 10% year-on-year. All regional markets worldwide posted positive revenue growth. Performance strengthened further in the second quarter, with Q2 revenue hitting ¥1,208.2 billion, representing a 14% year-on-year increase, and adjusted operating profit jumping 29% year-on-year to ¥158.7 billion.
Core Drivers of Profit Growth
The year-on-year profit expansion was mainly fueled by lower raw material costs, contributing a positive impact of ¥230 billion. Currency exchange movements added ¥200 billion, optimized product mix delivered ¥110 billion, higher sales volumes brought ¥60 billion in gains, and pricing strategies contributed an additional ¥80 billion.
These positive contributions were partially offset by two headwinds: a ¥190 billion increase in operating expenses and a ¥180 billion profit drag from U.S. tariff costs.
Performance by Business Segment
Tire Business (Core Segment of the Group)
Tires remain Bridgestone’s foundational core business. H1 tire segment revenue stood at ¥1,536.4 billion, up 10% year-on-year, while adjusted operating profit rose 15% to ¥216.9 billion. The segment’s adjusted operating profit margin rebounded to approximately 14%. Excluding foreign exchange fluctuations, the segment’s adjusted operating profit increased by ¥263 billion.
1.Passenger & Light Truck Tires (PC/LT): Revenue hit ¥1,306.1 billion, growing 11% year-on-year, with adjusted operating profit rising 18% to ¥147 billion. The Group continued expanding sales of premium high-rim-diameter (HRD) tires and gained market share in North America despite weaker replacement tire demand.
2.Truck & Bus Tires (TBR): Revenue reached ¥522.9 billion, up 8% year-on-year, and adjusted operating profit surged 24% to ¥50.7 billion. Both original equipment (OE) and replacement tire sales rose year-on-year in Q2, driven by benefits from business restructuring. The brand also captured larger market share in North America amid sluggish local replacement tire demand.
3.Specialty Tires (Off-the-road, aviation, agricultural, construction & motorcycle tires): Revenue totaled ¥343.6 billion, an 11% year-on-year increase, with adjusted operating profit up 20% to ¥78.9 billion. Robust sales of ultra-large mining off-the-road tires, paired with favorable raw material and FX trends, sustained high profitability for the segment.
Solutions Business (Retail & Commercial B2B)
The Solutions segment generated ¥735.6 billion in revenue (+9% YoY), with adjusted operating profit jumping 34% to ¥61.4 billion.
•Retail tire business: Revenue ¥545.2 billion (+8% YoY), adjusted operating profit ¥35.8 billion (+24% YoY).
•Commercial B2B solutions delivered faster growth: revenue ¥190.4 billion (+13% YoY), adjusted operating profit ¥25.6 billion (+52% YoY).
Diversified Non-Tire Products
Revenue for diversified non-tire products reached ¥149 billion, up 4% year-on-year, with adjusted operating profit rising 12% to ¥4.3 billion, maintaining steady moderate growth.
Regional Market Breakdown
1.Japan Domestic Market: Revenue ¥634.4 billion (+5% YoY), adjusted operating profit ¥113.9 billion (+38% YoY). Growth was supported by rebounding replacement tire sales, improved pricing and product mix, plus strong sales of the new FINESSA passenger tire line.
2.Asia-Pacific, India & China: Revenue ¥278 billion (+13% YoY), adjusted operating profit ¥31 billion (+6% YoY). PC/LT and TBR tire sales sustained Q1 growth momentum, with lean cost control and business restructuring lifting profitability.
3.The Americas: Total revenue ¥1,135.3 billion (+11% YoY), adjusted operating profit ¥103 billion (+12% YoY). North American replacement tire demand remained below last year’s levels, yet new replacement tire lines and the multi-brand strategy lifted PC/LT and TBR sales in Q2, expanding market share. Rising service revenue from retail operations further boosted earnings. Latin America maintained profitability amid tough market conditions, with ongoing efforts to strengthen business foundations and expand sales coverage.
4.Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA): EMEA recorded the world’s fastest profit growth. Revenue hit ¥458.5 billion (+11% YoY), while adjusted operating profit skyrocketed 85% to ¥34.1 billion. European premium HRD tire sales expanded steadily, and business restructuring lifted both top-line revenue and bottom-line profits. Geopolitical headwinds weighed on revenue and earnings in the Middle East, though the impact on consolidated group results remained limited.
Bridgestone’s H1 fiscal results validate its core development strategy focusing on premium tires, mobility solution services and high-value specialty tires. Facing multiple challenges including U.S. tariffs, soft replacement tire demand in certain regions and geopolitical risks, the Group delivered revenue growth across all global regions via product portfolio upgrading, strict cost management and worldwide business restructuring. Premium large-diameter tires, ultra-large mining specialty tires and commercial B2B solutions have become the three key profit growth engines for Bridgestone.
