Bloomberg News March 2012

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Mattel sees rise in Barbie’s fortunes

Mattel, the world’s largest toy maker, hailed a turn-round in the performance of its Barbie brand yesterday, as sales of the girls’ doll and accessories in the US rose 9 per cent during the fourth quarter.

“Barbie is back,” said Bob Eckert, chief executive, adding that “for the first time in years” Barbie had seen increases in shipments, sales and market share.

Barbie’s international sales, excluding the positive impact of the weak dollar, rose 5 per cent.

Over the past decade Mattel has struggled to maintain the position of the best-selling girls’ toy, in part reflecting changes in playing patterns by young girls and increasing competition.

But the company has invested heavily in revitalizing the brand, including heavy marketing last year around the 50^th anniversary of the doll’s launch in 1959.

In spite of the strong performance of Barbie, and of its boys’ Hot Wheels toys, Mattel’s overall sales declined during the quarter on a constant currency basis, with US sales down 2 per cent, and international sales down 5 per cent. Including currency benefits, sales rose 1 per cent to $1.96bn, after dropping sharply 11 per cent last year.

Its operating performance was boosted by a campaign of cost cutting that included staff reduction including a bonus and wage freeze. Net income for the quarter rose 86 per cent to $328.4m, or $0.89 per share.

Mr. Eckert noted that during the holiday season sales had not been affected by price cutting by its big retailers as Walmart, the largest US discounter, in particular focused price reductions on its toy offering to bring customers into its stores.

The Financial Times January 2010

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Industrial Output Sees Slight Gain

U.S. industrial production ticked up in September, helped by a strong upswing in the production of long-lasting consumer goods and business equipment.

Industrial production increased 0.2% last month after remaining flat in August, the Federal Reserve said Monday.

The boost, which stemmed from rising production in manufacturing and mining, points to an economy that doesn’t appear poised to enter another recession but is in the midst of a slow recovery.

Industries used 77.4% of their capacity in September, up from 77.3% in August. Capacity utilization has barely budged during the recovery, climbing just 1% from the same time a year ago.

Mining production saw the most growth last month, rising 0.8%. Manufacturing ticked up 0.4%, from output gains for autos, computers and electrical equipment. Auto production has rebounded as supply-chain disruptions from the earthquake in Japan have moderated.

“This is a ‘not-bad’ report,” Patrick Newport, an IHS Global Insight economist, wrote in a note to clients. “It shows the manufacturing sector moving forward during September, though at an uninspiring rate during a very rocky quarter. The trend seems to be improving, but at this rate it will take nearly three more years just to get back to the pre-recession peak.”

The factory sector experienced robust growth early in the recovery, aided by demand for U.S. exports. But high unemployment, slow domestic growth and international turmoil have slowed manufacturing gains. Last month’s uptick was a move in the right direction, but a modest one.

The Wall Street Journal October 2011

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