LA's Mattel 4Q profit rises 3 pct

LA's Mattel 4Q profit rises 3 pct

	Published : Mon, 29 Jan 2007 19:24 By : Agencies Print this Story

LOS ANGELES (AFX) - Mattel Inc., the world's largest toymaker, said Monday it's fourth quarter profit rose 3 percent boosted by strong sales of its Barbie and Fisher-price toys, including the popular T.M.X. Elmo doll.

The company's profits also benefited from continuing strong sales of products related to the Disney-Pixar animated film 'Cars,' giving the company a tough challenge as it heads into 2007 without a major film-related product line.

While sales and gross margins increased for the full year, the company also noted a boost in 2006 earnings from favorable tax decisions and currency exchange rates.

Mattel, based in El Segundo, reported net income of $286.4 million, or 75 cents per share, for the three months ended Dec. 31, compared to $279.2 million, or 69 cents per share, a year ago. Revenue expanded 14 percent to $2.11 billion from $1.84 billion last year.

The results easily beat estimates from analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial, who had expected earnings of 67 cents per share on revenue of $1.99 billion.

Sales of its iconic Barbie doll line increased 3 percent in the United States, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of domestic growth for the brand, which is in the midst of a turnaround.

Barbie sales dipped 2 percent overseas, which included a benefit from currency exchange rates.

'Though the new team has been working on Barbie for just over a year and there is still work to be done, we are encouraged by the progress to date,' Mattel chairman and chief executive Robert A. Eckert told analysts during a conference call.

The company's Fisher-Price unit, which includes the holiday best-selling T.M.X. Elmo doll, led the quarter with a 16 percent rise in fourth quarter sales to $806 million.

Sales of its American Girls line increased a modest 2 percent, with strong sales at its three retail locations offsetting a decline in its catalog business.

The entertainment category saw a 62 percent boost in sales largely due to the acquisition in the quarter of electronic game and toy manufacturer Radica Games Ltd.

Without Radica, the entertainment sector saw growth in the quarter from continued strong sales of 'Cars' merchandise.

''Cars was nothing short of a home run,' Eckert told analysts, adding that toys related to the less successful film 'Superman' scored only 'a double' during the quarter.

Eckert acknowledged that the unexpected strength of the 'Cars' line would make 2007 a difficult year by comparison. While Mattel will sell toys related to the next Disney-Pixar film, 'Ratatouille,' it does not have the licenses for two highly anticipated films, 'Spider-Man 3' and 'Transformers.'

For the year, the company reported net income of $592.9 million, or $1.53 per share, compared with a profit of $417 million, or $1.01 per share, last year.

Full-year results included an 11 cents per share tax-related benefit.

Revenue totaled $5.65 billion, compared with $5.18 billion a year earlier.

Mattel shares rose 16 cents to $24.12 in midday trading on the New York Stock Exchange.