Mattel, Inc. MAT reported second-quarter 2020 results, wherein both earnings and revenues surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Both the metrics beat the consensus estimate after missing in the preceding quarter. Following the robust results, the company’s shares gained 7.3% in after-hour trading session on Jul 23.
However, both earnings and revenues declined year over year. Decline in worldwide gross sales for Dolls, Infant, Toddler and Preschool and Action Figures, Building Sets and Games impacted the second-quarter results. Meanwhile, worldwide gross sales of Vehicles were also down in the quarter under review.
The company reported adjusted loss per share of 26 cents, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 38 cents. In the prior-year quarter, the company reported adjusted loss of 25 cents.
Sales Discussion
Net sales of $732 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $674 million. However, the top line declined 15% year over year. On a constant-currency basis, sales fell 13% from the prior-year quarter.
In North America, gross sales were up 3%, both on a reported and constant-currency basis. This can primarily be attributed to increase in sales in Dolls and Action Figures, Building Sets, Games, and Other (including Star Wars The Child plush and card games, including UNO, partially overshadowed by Toy Story 4). This increase was partially offset by decrease in Vehicles and Infant, Toddler and Preschool.
In the International region, gross sales declined 33% (as reported), owing to decrease in sales in Vehicles (including Hot Wheels and CARS), Infant, Toddler, and Preschool, Action Figures, Building Sets, Games, and Other (including Toy Story 4 and MEGA). Moreover, gross sales declined 29% in constant currency.
Mattel, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise 
Brand-Wise Worldwide Sales
Mattel, through its subsidiaries, sells a broad range of toys. These items are grouped under different brands — Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price and Thomas & Friends and Other.
As reported, worldwide gross sales at Mattel Power Brands were down 15% to $814.6 million year over year. The metric declined 13% on a constant-currency basis. However, the Barbie brand witnessed an improvement of 7% on reported basis and 10% on constant-currency basis. Gross sales at the Hot Wheels brand declined 22% on a reported basis and 19% on constant-currency basis. However, gross sales were down 21% on reported basis and 19% on constant-currency basis at the Fisher-Price and Thomas & Friends brands. Gross sales at Other declined 20% on reported basis and 18% on constant-currency basis.
Operating Results
Adjusted gross margin expanded 410 basis points to 44%, driven by the incremental realized savings from cost savings programs and decline in royalty expense, partially offset by unfavorable impact of lower volumes.
Adjusted other selling and administrative expenses declined 1% to $287.7 million. The improvement can primarily be attributed to benefits from Structural Simplification savings, partially negated by rise in incentive compensation expense.
Balance Sheet
As of Jun 30, 2020, the company’s cash and equivalents were $461.6 million compared with $630 million as of Dec 31, 2019. Total inventories as of the end of the second quarter were down 2.7% year over year to $702.6 million.
The company’s long-term debt was $2,850.8 million as of Jun 30, 2020, higher than $2,846.8 million as of Dec 31, 2019. Shareholder’s equity was $157.986.1 million.
Mattel, which shares space with Hasbro HAS, Electronic Arts EA and Take-Two Interactive Software TTWO, currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
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