World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (WWE) recently reported its third quarter results. The company posted a robust earnings growth of nearly 68% to $8.9 million from $5.3 million in the year-ago quarter. Earnings per share came in at 12 cents, compared to 7 cents last year and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 33%, or 3 cents.   The Stamford, CT-based company’s revenues grew by 2.3% to $111.3 million, compared to $108.8 million last year. In terms of segments, Live and Televised Entertainment, the flagship segment, recorded a 13.4% year-over-year expansion in revenues to $77.9 million. The growth was driven by higher average attendance, increase in international events and higher television rights fees received primarily due to a new WWE Superstars television show.   Consumer Products segment fell 13.5% to $23 million reflecting a reduction in royalties on toys and videogames coupled with lower magazine subscription revenues. Digital Media ...

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 ...

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 ...

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) 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 ...

Six Dow components are scheduled to report as large-cap stocks dominate the first big week of earnings season. The 6 companies are Bank of America (...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - April 21, 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: Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX), Mattel, Inc. (MAT), China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited (CEA), WestAmerica Bancorp. (WABC) and Biogen Idec, Inc. (BIIB).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=4579.

Here are highlights from Monday's Analyst Blog:

Vertex Well-Positioned for Future

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) reported financial results for the first quarter 2009. Total revenues for the quarter were $24.8 million, and comprised of $6.1 million in royalties and $18.6 million in collaborative and R&D revenues. Adjusted operating

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