Bridgestone stocks rise on rumors of reconciliation with Ford

TOKYO (Nov. 6)—Bridgestone Corp.'s stocks shot up 12 percent to $10.70 per share in Tokyo Nov. 1 on rumors that the Japanese tire maker was in talks with Ford Motor Co. to mend its bridges with the U.S. auto manufacturer. Bridgestone stocks have more or less maintained that increase in the five intervening days since the rumor started, despite the company's revealing its falsity, according to a Bridgestone spokesman. Nonetheless, the value of the stock is still only about half of what it was a year ago. "There's still some room for Bridgestone (stock) to go up," he said. Bridgestone management would entertain invitations from Ford to come to the negotiating table, but none have been forthcoming, he added.