Tokyo, Feb. 18 (Jiji Press)--Major tire maker Bridgestone Corp. expects its net profit to hit a record high in the current business year to December 2005, thanks to pension-related profits and brisk tire sales, the company said Friday.

(From Jiji)

Bridgestone projects group net profit to increase 22.3 pct from the previous year to 140 billion yen, helped by 76 billion yen of profits stemming from the return of the proxy portion of public pension assets to the government.

Sales are seen growing 3.4 pct to 2.5 trillion yen, reflecting active demand for tires mainly outside Japan and product price hikes.

But Bridgestone expects its recurring profit to shrink 17.4 pct to 150 billion yen, pressured by rising materials prices and higher depreciation costs. Operating profit is seen falling 14.0 pct to 170 billion yen.

On an operating basis, the strengthening of the yen is …