RC2 Corporation’s (RCRC) third quarter earnings of 66 cents per share are ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 60 cents. Results were driven by cost reduction initiatives implemented by the company though sales reported a drop in the quarter. Net sales were down 4.8% year-over-year to $126.5 million. Sales were reduced by 3% due to unfavorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Slightly better results in North America were offset by weak International sales. Foreign currency exchange rates had a negative impact on International sales. Sales in mother, infant and toddler products category decreased 5% year-over-year, driven by lower sales in health/safety and infant toy product lines. Management expects growth in this category in 2010. Sales in preschool, youth and adult products category decreased 5% year-over-year. However, this decline was low when compared with the 15% year-over-year decline in the first half of 2009. ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – October 20, 2009 – Zacks Equity Research highlights Pozen, Inc. (POZN) as the Bull of the Day and Rite Aid Corporation (RAD) the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Hasbro Inc.(HAS), Mattel Inc. (MAT) and JAKKS Pacific Inc.(JAKK).

Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2676

Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:

Bull of the Day:

Pozen, Inc. (POZN) is one of our top-picks for small-cap biotech. We see the fundamentals as strong and the valuation as low.

We are pleased to see the NDA for Vimovo (PN-400) filed and now accepted by the U.S. FDA. FDA acceptance earned Pozen a $10 million milestone from AstraZeneca in August. We expect sales of Treximet to ramp in the coming quarters now that the groundwork has been

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Hasbro Inc.’s (HAS) third quarter earnings of 99 cents per share were well ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 91 cents, reflecting a drop in costs and demand for its movie-based toys. The company had earned 89 cents per share in the year-ago period. Net revenues for the quarter decreased 1.7% to $1.28 billion from the prior-year quarter. Excluding the adverse impact from a stronger dollar, revenues were up 1% in the quarter. Results reflected challenging economic environment, though the Transformers and G.I. Joe experienced strong demand. However, gross margin increased 110 basis points from a year ago to 57.0%. Third quarter results include a 3 cents per share dilutive impact from the company’s investment in its joint venture with Discovery Communications and initial investments in Hasbro’s virtual studio. Operating profit was $230.7 million, up 6.8% year-over-year. Operating margin increased 140 basis points over ...

Mattel Incorporated’s (MAT) third quarter earnings of 63 cents per share were just a penny short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 64 cents. The company had earned 65 cents in the year-ago period. Quarterly results continued to reflect the economic weakness and lack of any movie-based toy lines. Mattel, however, is focused on controlling its expenses. The company is rigidly managing its inventory and has lowered its advertising costs. For the quarter, the company reported operating income of $336.5 million versus $315.3 million in the year-ago period. Worldwide net sales decreased 8% from the prior-year quarter to $1.8 billion. U.S. sales reported a 2% decrease while international sales fell 14%. International locations were negatively impacted by changes in foreign exchange rates. Worldwide gross sales for the Mattel Girls & Boys Brands business unit were down 10% versus a year ago. Worldwide Barbie sales ...

Hasbro Inc. (HAS) is expected to release its third quarter results on Oct 19. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at 91 cents per share. The company had reported earnings of 89 cents per share in the year-ago period.  Hasbro’s second quarter results of 26 cents per share were three pennies ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 23 cents, reflecting strong sales of Transformers and G.I. Joe toys, both tied to blockbuster summer movies. The company also reaped the benefits of its cost curtailment initiatives.  At the time of the last earnings release, management had stated that the joint venture investment with Discovery Communications will not be as dilutive to 2009 and 2010 earnings as previously forecasted. The company had at that time expected that the dilution to 2009 earnings will be in the range of 15 to 20 cents per share, compared to the ...

Mattel Inc. (MAT) is expected to release its third quarter results on Oct 16. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is pegged at 64 cents per share. The company had reported earnings of 66 cents per share in the year-ago period.   Mattel’s second quarter earnings of 6 cents per share were 4 cents, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Despite a significant drop in sales in the quarter, quarterly results were ahead of estimates as the company benefited from cost containment measures.   As the world’s largest manufacturer of toys, Mattel has numerous well-known toy brands that have been the category leaders in multiple product segments for a number of years. Of the company’s leading brands, Barbie and Hot Wheels remain the premier toy brands for girls and boys, respectively.   Given its strong brand recognition, Mattel has successfully extended both these brands into other consumer products such as ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – October 9, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Target Corporation (TGT), Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), Hasbro Inc. (HAS), Mattel Inc. (MAT) and Citigroup Inc. (C).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:

Target Lowers Toy Prices

In order to woo customers this holiday season, major discount retailer Target Corporation (TGT) recently announced an aggressive price cut on toys. The announcement came on the back of the Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) news on offering 100 toys for

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In order to woo customers this holiday season, major discount retailer Target Corporation (TGT) recently announced an aggressive price cut on toys. The announcement came on the back of the Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) news on offering 100 toys for $10 each through the Christmas holiday, up from 10 toys offered last year. Target slashed the price of selective toys by up to 50%, which include the Barbie Fashion Doll ($5), GI Joe Tough Troopers Figure ($14.99), and the Fisher-Price Little People Play 'N Go Farm Set 50th Anniversary edition ($11). The holiday seasons are generally important for toymakers and retailers, who expect an uptick in demand with more children splurging in toy stores. However, toy companies did not reap any benefit in the 2008 holiday sales season due to recessionary effects, as consumers cut back their spending and prioritized their purchases. Realizing the ...

Mattel Inc. (MAT) has been accused of manipulating the MGA probe. MGA Entertainment claims Mattel tried to influence the Canadian police while they were investigating a trade secrets theft complaint brought against it by Mattel. The U.S. District Judge has ordered Mattel’s Chief Security, Richard De Anda, to appear at a hearing on September 21, 2009. This hearing will address the MGA charge. Mattel had allegedly sent gifts to the law enforcement officials. Mattel succeeded in obtaining the rights of MGA’s Bratz doll last year after the jury found that the Bratz concept was sold to MGA by a former doll designer of Mattel during his contract tenure at Mattel. MGA has also accused Mattel of copying Bratz with its Flavas and MyScene Barbie dolls and for other unfair business practices in an another lawsuit, of which a trial is scheduled for next year....

Mattel Inc. (MAT) is not required to submit its toys to independent laboratories for safety tests. However, other toy-makers, clothing manufacturers and companies selling products for young children need to send their samples for third-party testing. The third-party testing law was passed last summer as there was a significant increase in the number of recalls of toys contaminated by lead. Interestingly, a number of those toys had been produced by Mattel and its subsidiary Fisher-Price. According to the new law, third party testing is mandatory for both big and small companies making products for children 12 and under. Strict limits have been set for lead, lead paint and chemicals such as phthalates. However, Mattel’s request to use its own labs has been recently granted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). According to CPSC personnel, Mattel has proved that its labs were protected from unwarranted ...