Friday, October 14, 2011

Mattel reports solid third-quarter earnings

Mattel reports third-quarter earnings; sales rise 9% thanks to strong Barbie salesMattel Inc. reported a 6.2% rise in profit and a 9% increase in sales for the third quarter thanks to strong demand for Barbie, other doll lines and "Cars 2"-related toys.

For the three months ended Sept. 30, the nation's largest toymaker, based in El Segundo, reported profit of $300.8 million, or 86 cents a share, compared with $283.3 million, or 77 cents, in the year-earlier quarter.

"Not only have we continued to benefit from the strength of our core brands, but this year's big entertainment property, 'Cars 2,' is also fueling momentum," said Robert A. Eckert, Mattel's chief executive.

Heading into the holiday season, the most important time of the year for the toy industry, Eckert said the company was "keenly focused" on delivering growth in its core brands and entertainment properties, expanding its international footprint and building its newest franchise, the Monster High doll line.

Sales for the quarter were $2 billion, up 9% compared with $1.83 billion for the same quarter last year. Sales rose 6% in the U.S. and 13% in international markets, the company said.

Sales were up 17% for Barbie; 23% for Mattel's "other girls brands" such as Disney Princess and Monster High; and 14% for its entertainment business, which includes games, puzzles and "Cars 2" merchandise.

Mattel's Fisher-Price Brands unit had softer sales, rising 1% to $748.9 million.

Shares of Mattel were down less than 1% to $27.51 at 10:45 a.m. Pacific time.

RELATED:

Mattel must pay MGA $310 million in Bratz case

Bratz doll maker MGA wins court battle with Mattel

Elliot Handler dies at 95; co-founder of Mattel, inventor of Hot Wheels

-- Andrea Chang

Photo: A Barbie ad in New York. Credit: Bloomberg

No comments:

Post a Comment

Comment

Comment