Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

  For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number 001-05647

 

 

MATTEL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   95-1567322
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

333 Continental Blvd.

El Segundo, CA 90245-5012

(Address of principal executive offices)

(310) 252-2000

(Registrant’s telephone number)

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

NONE

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated filer  ¨     Non-accelerated filer  ¨    Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

Number of shares outstanding of registrant’s common stock, $1.00 par value, as of October 23, 2009:

361,480,253 shares

 

 

 


Table of Contents

MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

           Page
   PART I   

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements

   3
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   3
  

Consolidated Statements of Operations

   4
  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   5
  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   6

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   27

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   42

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

   43
   PART II   

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

   44

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

   45

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   45

Item 3.

  

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

   45

Item 4.

  

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   45

Item 5.

  

Other Information

   45

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

   46
  

Signature

   47

 

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Table of Contents

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements.

MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     September 30,
2009
    September 30,
2008
    December 31,
2008
 
    

(Unaudited; in thousands,

except share data)

 

ASSETS

      

Current Assets

      

Cash and equivalents

   $ 323,718      $ 446,804      $ 617,694   

Accounts receivable, net

     1,450,320        1,712,820        873,542   

Inventories

     606,019        751,133        485,925   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     323,435        304,781        409,689   
                        

Total current assets

     2,703,492        3,215,538        2,386,850   
                        

Noncurrent Assets

      

Property, plant, and equipment, net

     513,160        525,206        536,162   

Goodwill

     826,816        827,431        815,803   

Other noncurrent assets

     945,599        955,615        936,224   
                        

Total Assets

   $ 4,989,067      $ 5,523,790      $ 4,675,039   
                        

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

      

Current Liabilities

      

Short-term borrowings

   $ 159,292      $ 528,312      $ —     

Current portion of long-term debt

     50,000        150,000        150,000   

Accounts payable

     406,436        515,985        421,736   

Accrued liabilities

     709,829        711,574        649,383   

Income taxes payable

     11,115        45,264        38,855   
                        

Total current liabilities

     1,336,672        1,951,135        1,259,974   
                        

Noncurrent Liabilities

      

Long-term debt

     710,000        760,000        750,000   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     536,697        391,447        547,930   
                        

Total noncurrent liabilities

     1,246,697        1,151,447        1,297,930   
                        

Stockholders’ Equity

      

Common stock $1.00 par value, 1.0 billion shares authorized; 441.4 million shares issued

     441,369        441,369        441,369   

Additional paid-in capital

     1,638,563        1,634,086        1,642,092   

Treasury stock at cost; 80.2 million shares, 82.4 million shares, and 82.9 million shares, respectively

     (1,569,386     (1,612,900     (1,621,264

Retained earnings

     2,286,112        2,180,849        2,085,573   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (390,960     (222,196     (430,635
                        

Total stockholders’ equity

     2,405,698        2,421,208        2,117,135   
                        

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 4,989,067      $ 5,523,790      $ 4,675,039   
                        

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     For the Three Months Ended     For the Nine Months Ended  
       September 30,
2009  
    September 30,
2008
    September 30,
2009
    September 30,
2008
 
    

(Unaudited; in thousands,

except per share amounts)

 

Net Sales

   $   1,791,875      $   1,946,315      $   3,475,718      $   3,978,045   

Cost of sales

     873,260        1,046,245        1,805,171        2,185,805   
                                

Gross Profit

     918,615        900,070        1,670,547        1,792,240   

Advertising and promotion expenses

     197,106        223,826        370,990        443,592   

Other selling and administrative expenses

     385,055        360,895        985,799        1,039,226   
                                

Operating Income

     336,454        315,349        313,758        309,422   

Interest expense

     19,317        20,411        52,723        53,026   

Interest (income)

     (1,510     (6,013     (7,513     (21,831

Other non-operating expense (income), net

     14,014        (6,157     5,548        15,988   
                                

Income Before Income Taxes

     304,633        307,108        263,000        262,239   

Provision for income taxes

     74,791        69,010        62,675        59,004   
                                

Net Income

   $ 229,842      $ 238,098      $ 200,325      $ 203,235   
                                

Net Income Per Common Share—Basic

   $ 0.63      $ 0.65      $ 0.55      $ 0.56   
                                

Weighted average number of common shares

     360,843        360,881        359,513        361,339   
                                

Net Income Per Common Share—Diluted

   $ 0.63      $ 0.65      $ 0.55      $ 0.56   
                                

Weighted average number of common and potential common shares

     361,925        361,742        360,330        362,506   
                                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

    For the Nine Months Ended  
    September 30,
2009
    September 30,
2008
 
    (Unaudited; in thousands)  

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

   

Net Income

  $ 200,325      $ 203,235   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows used for operating activities:

   

Depreciation

    112,812        119,444   

Amortization

    13,719        8,710   

Asset impairments and disposals

    12,616        8,646   

Deferred income taxes

    (27,086     (3,587

Share-based compensation

    35,030        25,089   

Increase (decrease) from changes in assets and liabilities:

   

Accounts receivable

    (545,404     (752,916

Inventories

    (81,242     (374,560

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    (31,698     (18,303

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and income taxes payable

    23,155        105,339   

Other, net

    (31,034     12,326   
               

Net cash flows used for operating activities

    (318,807     (666,577
               

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

   

Purchases of tools, dies, and molds

    (57,615     (58,031

Purchases of other property, plant, and equipment

    (32,837     (80,466

Increase in long-term investments

    —          (85,300

Payments for businesses acquired

    —          (23,451

Proceeds from sale of investments

    67,134        —     

Proceeds from sale of other property, plant, and equipment

    454        4,949   

Proceeds from foreign currency forward exchange contracts

    20,214        18,298   
               

Net cash flows used for investing activities

    (2,650     (224,001
               

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

   

Payments of short-term borrowings

    (294,392     (451,263

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

    453,090        633,410   

Payments of long-term borrowings

    (140,000     (40,000

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

    —          347,183   

Payment of credit facility renewal costs

    (11,237     —     

Share repurchases

    —          (65,469

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

    20,601        18,279   

Other, net

    (7,064     (91
               

Net cash flows provided by financing activities

    20,998        442,049   
               

Effect of Currency Exchange Rate Changes on Cash

    6,483        (5,815
               

Decrease in Cash and Equivalents

    (293,976     (454,344

Cash and Equivalents at Beginning of Period

    617,694        901,148   
               

Cash and Equivalents at End of Period

  $      323,718      $      446,804   
               

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

   

Cash paid during the period for:

   

Income taxes, gross

  $ 90,312      $ 54,655   

Interest

    49,204        45,215   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and related disclosures have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America applicable to interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of only those of a normal recurring nature, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and interim results of Mattel, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Mattel” or the “Company”) as of and for the periods presented, have been included. Because Mattel’s business is seasonal, results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those that may be expected for a full year. In preparing these financial statements, Mattel evaluated the events and transactions that occurred between September 30, 2009 through October 28, 2009, the date these financial statements were issued.

The year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, however, the accompanying interim notes to the consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The financial information included herein should be read in conjunction with Mattel’s consolidated financial statements and related notes in its 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

On July 1, 2009, Mattel adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 105-10 (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 168, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162). ASC 105-10 establishes the FASB ASC as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied in preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. The adoption of this standard had no impact on Mattel’s consolidated financial statements.

 

2. Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $38.3 million, $30.3 million, and $25.9 million as of September 30, 2009, September 30, 2008, and December 31, 2008, respectively.

 

3. Inventories

Inventories include the following:

 

     September 30, 2009    September 30, 2008    December 31, 2008
     (In thousands)

Raw materials and work in process

   $ 65,247    $ 70,995    $ 57,311

Finished goods

     540,772      680,138      428,614
                    
   $             606,019    $             751,133    $            485,925
                    

 

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4. Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, plant, and equipment, net include the following:

 

     September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008     December 31, 2008  
     (In thousands)  

Land

   $ 26,613      $ 26,632      $ 26,499   

Buildings

     241,268        238,681        237,561   

Machinery and equipment

     773,192        760,485        758,656   

Tools, dies, and molds

     587,664        627,974        544,789   

Capital leases

     23,271        23,271        23,271   

Leasehold improvements

     176,909        162,071        162,288   
                        
     1,828,917        1,839,114        1,753,064   

Less: accumulated depreciation

     (1,315,757     (1,313,908     (1,216,902
                        
   $            513,160      $            525,206      $            536,162   
                        

 

5. Goodwill

Goodwill is allocated to various reporting units, which are either at the operating segment level or one reporting level below the operating segment level, for purposes of evaluating whether goodwill is impaired. Mattel’s reporting units are: Mattel Girls Brands US, Mattel Boys Brands US, Fisher-Price Brands US, American Girl Brands, and International. Mattel tests its goodwill for impairment annually in the third quarter, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable, based on the fair value of the cash flows that the reporting units can be expected to generate in the future. In the third quarter of 2009, Mattel performed the annual impairment test and determined that goodwill was not impaired.

The change in the carrying amount of goodwill by reporting unit for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 is shown below. Brand-specific goodwill held by foreign subsidiaries is allocated to the US reporting units selling those brands, thereby causing foreign currency translation impact for the US reporting units.

 

     December 31, 2008    Impact of Currency
Exchange Rate
Changes
    September 30, 2009
     (In thousands)

Mattel Girls Brands US

   $ 29,224    $ 2,517      $ 31,741

Mattel Boys Brands US

     130,883      (173     130,710

Fisher-Price Brands US

     215,520      494        216,014

American Girl Brands

     207,571      —          207,571

International

     232,605      8,175        240,780
                     
   $            815,803    $               11,013      $           826,816
                     

 

6. Other Noncurrent Assets

Other noncurrent assets include the following:

 

     September 30, 2009    September 30, 2008    December 31, 2008
     (In thousands)

Deferred income taxes

   $ 541,588    $ 470,910    $ 524,451

Nonamortizable identifiable intangibles

     122,223      128,382      128,382

Identifiable intangibles (net of amortization of $66.8 million, $59.1 million, and $61.8 million, respectively)

     92,984      86,982      107,447

Long-term investments

     35,000      116,300      35,000

Other

     153,804      153,041      140,944
                    
   $             945,599    $             955,615    $            936,224
                    

 

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As of September 30, 2008, Mattel had a money market investment with a net cost basis of $81.3 million, which was reclassified from cash and equivalents to noncurrent assets as a result of the money market investment fund halting redemption requests in September 2008. As of December 31, 2008, the investment was reclassified to other current assets as Mattel expected to receive the proceeds of this investment by the end of 2009, when the underlying securities will have matured. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, Mattel received proceeds of approximately $67 million. As of September 30, 2009, September 30, 2008, and December 31, 2008, Mattel also had additional long-term investments of $35.0 million.

In October 2008, Mattel acquired Sekkoia SAS, which owns the Blokus® trademark and trade name rights, for $35.1 million in cash, including acquisition costs. In connection with the acquisition, Mattel recorded goodwill and amortizable identifiable intangible assets totaling $18.1 million and $22.9 million, respectively.

 

7. Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities include the following:

 

     September 30, 2009    September 30, 2008    December 31, 2008
     (In thousands)

Advertising and promotion

   $ 116,192    $ 131,958    $ 56,941

Royalties

     71,510      86,392      86,152

Derivatives payable

     42,496      6,606      11,757

Receivable collections due bank

     —        44,470      82,245

Other

     479,631      442,148      412,288
                    
   $             709,829    $             711,574    $            649,383
                    

 

8. Product Recalls and Withdrawals

During 2007, Mattel recalled products with high-powered magnets that may become dislodged and other products, some of which were produced using non-approved paint containing lead in excess of applicable regulatory and Mattel standards. During the second half of 2007, additional products were recalled, withdrawn from retail stores, or replaced at the request of consumers as a result of safety or quality issues (collectively, the “2007 Product Recalls”). In the second quarter of 2008, Mattel determined that certain products had been shipped into foreign markets in which the products did not meet all applicable regulatory standards for those markets. None of these deficiencies related to lead or magnets. Mattel withdrew these products from retail stores in these markets and, although not required to do so, also withdrew the products from the US and other markets because they did not meet Mattel’s internal standards (the “2008 Product Withdrawal”).

The following table summarizes Mattel’s reserves and reserve activity for the 2007 Product Recalls and the 2008 Product Withdrawal for the nine months ended September 30, 2009:

 

     Reserves at
December 31,
2008
   Reserves
Used
    Changes in
Estimates
    Impact of Currency
Exchange Rate
Changes
    Reserves at
September 30,
2009
     (In thousands)

Product returns/redemption

   $ 3,605    $ (1,141   $ (2,083   $ 77      $ 458

Other

     1,338      (299     (6     (26     1,007
                                     
   $        4,943    $     (1,440   $     (2,089   $                      51      $        1,465
                                     

 

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The following table summarizes Mattel’s reserves and reserve activity for the 2007 Product Recalls and the 2008 Product Withdrawal for the nine months ended September 30, 2008:

 

     Reserves at
December 31,
2007
   2008
Product
Withdrawal
   Reserves
Used
    Changes in
Estimates
   Impact of Currency
Exchange Rate
Changes
    Reserves at
September 30,
2008
     (In thousands)

Impairment of inventory on hand

   $ —      $ 3,571    $ (3,571   $ —      $ —        $ —  

Product returns/redemption

     12,612      5,862      (14,666     2,447                          37        6,292

Other

     2,360      244      (1,665     684      (54     1,569
                                           
   $       14,972    $        9,677    $     (19,902   $      3,131    $ (17   $          7,861
                                           

Following the announcement of the 2007 Product Recalls and 2008 Product Withdrawal, a number of lawsuits were filed against Mattel with respect to the recalled and withdrawn products, which are more fully described in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Mattel’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Note 23, “Contingencies,” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, Mattel recorded charges of $5.4 million and $27.4 million, respectively, which are included in other selling and administrative expenses, to reserve for the settlement of a portion of the above-described product liability-related litigation. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, Mattel recorded a $6.0 million benefit associated with an insurance recovery for product liability-related litigation.

Although management is not aware of any additional quality or safety issues that are likely to result in material recalls or withdrawals, there can be no assurance that additional issues will not be identified in the future.

 

9. Restructuring Charges

During the second quarter of 2008, Mattel initiated the Global Cost Leadership program, which is designed to improve operating efficiencies and leverage Mattel’s global scale to improve profitability and operating cash flows. The major initiatives of Mattel’s Global Cost Leadership program include:

 

   

A global reduction in Mattel’s professional workforce of approximately 1,000 employees that was implemented beginning in November 2008, and an additional reduction in Mattel’s professional workforce initiated in the third quarter of 2009.

 

   

A coordinated efficiency strategic plan that includes structural changes designed to lower costs and improve efficiencies; for example, offshoring and outsourcing certain back office functions, and more clustering of management for international markets.

 

   

Additional procurement initiatives designed to fully leverage Mattel’s global scale in areas such as creative agency partnerships, legal services, and distribution, including ocean carriers and over-the-road freight vendors.

In connection with the Global Cost Leadership program, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, Mattel recorded severance and other termination-related charges of $18.1 million and $25.3 million, respectively, which are included in other selling and administrative expenses. The following table summarizes Mattel’s severance and other termination costs activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 (in thousands):

 

     Reserves at
December 31,
2008
   2009
Charges
   Payments     Reserves at
September 30,
2009

Severance

   $ 17,115    $ 25,075    $ (20,851   $ 21,339

Other termination costs

     881      257      (630     508
                            
   $       17,996    $       25,332    $      (21,481   $       21,847
                            

 

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10. Seasonal Financing

Mattel maintains and periodically amends or replaces its domestic unsecured committed revolving credit facility with a commercial bank group that is used as the primary source of financing for the seasonal working capital requirements of its domestic subsidiaries. The agreement in effect was amended and restated on March 23, 2009 to, among other things, (i) extend the maturity date of the credit facility to March 23, 2012, (ii) reduce aggregate commitments under the credit facility from $1.3 billion to $880.0 million, with an “accordion feature,” which would allow Mattel to increase the availability under the credit facility to $1.08 billion under certain circumstances, (iii) add an interest rate floor equal to 30-day US Dollar London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.00% for base rate loans under the credit facility, (iv) increase the applicable interest rate margins to a range of 2.00% to 3.00% above the applicable base rate for base rate loans, and 2.5% to 3.5% above the applicable LIBOR rate for Eurodollar rate loans, depending on Mattel’s senior unsecured long-term debt rating, (v) increase commitment fees to a range of 0.25% to 0.75% of the unused commitments under the credit facility, and (vi) replace the consolidated debt-to-capital ratio with a consolidated debt-to-earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA”) ratio. In April and July 2009, Mattel utilized the accordion feature of the credit facility to increase the aggregate commitments under the credit facility by $60.0 million and $95.0 million, respectively. On October 9, 2009, Mattel further increased the aggregate commitments under the credit facility by $45.0 million, from $1.035 billion to $1.08 billion, which is the maximum aggregate commitment available under the credit facility.

Mattel has a $300.0 million domestic receivables sales facility that is a sub-facility of Mattel’s domestic unsecured committed revolving credit facility, which was also amended in connection with the amendment of the credit facility. The amendment to the receivables sales facility, among other things, (i) extended the maturity date of the receivables sales facility to March 23, 2012, and (ii) incorporated the credit facility’s increased applicable interest rate margins described above.

 

11. Long-term Debt

Long-term debt includes the following:

 

     September 30,
2009
    September 30,
2008
    December 31,
2008
 
     (In thousands)  

Medium-term notes due November 2009 to November 2013

   $ 210,000      $ 260,000      $ 250,000   

2006 Senior Notes due June 2011

     200,000        300,000        300,000   

2008 Senior Notes due March 2013

     350,000        350,000        350,000   
                        
     760,000        910,000        900,000   

Less: current portion

     (50,000     (150,000     (150,000
                        
   $     710,000      $     760,000      $     750,000   
                        

In June 2009, Mattel repaid $100.0 million of the 2006 unsecured floating rate senior notes (“Floating Rate Senior Notes”) in connection with their scheduled maturity. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, Mattel repaid $40.0 million of its Medium-term notes in connection with their scheduled maturity.

 

12. Other Noncurrent Liabilities

Other noncurrent liabilities include the following:

 

     September 30,
2009
   September 30,
2008
   December 31,
2008
     (In thousands)

Benefit plan liabilities

   $ 267,899    $ 144,381    $ 286,557

Noncurrent tax liabilities

     135,134      119,156      132,744

Other

     133,664      127,910      128,629
                    
   $     536,697    $     391,447    $     547,930
                    

 

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13. Comprehensive Income

The changes in the components of comprehensive income, net of tax, are as follows:

 

     For the Three Months Ended     For the Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,
2009
    September 30,
2008
    September 30,
2009
    September 30,
2008
 
     (In thousands)  

Net income

   $ 229,842      $ 238,098      $ 200,325      $ 203,235   

Currency translation adjustments

     (2,272     (146,571     60,802        (67,268

Defined benefit pension plans net prior service cost and net actuarial loss

     3,902        289        6,429        896   

Net unrealized (losses) gains on derivative instruments:

        

Unrealized holding (losses) gains

     (11,039     18,249        (18,439     (6,445

Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included in net income

     (5,379     13,365        (9,117     26,431   
                                
     (16,418     31,614        (27,556     19,986   
                                
   $      215,054      $      123,430      $      240,000      $      156,849   
                                

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:

 

     September 30,
2009
    September 30,
2008
    December 31,
2008
 
     (In thousands)  

Currency translation adjustments

   $     (214,049   $     (149,542   $     (274,851

Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans, net of tax

     (154,284     (72,181     (160,713

Net unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments, net of tax

     (22,627     (473     4,929   
                        
   $ (390,960   $ (222,196   $ (430,635
                        

Currency Translation Adjustments

Mattel’s reporting currency is the US dollar. The translation of its results of operations and financial position of subsidiaries with non-US dollar functional currencies subjects Mattel to currency exchange rate fluctuations in its results of operations and financial position. Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries with non-US dollar functional currencies are translated into US dollars at fiscal period-end exchange rates. Income, expense, and cash flow items are translated at weighted average exchange rates prevailing during the fiscal period. The resulting currency translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss within stockholders’ equity. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, currency translation adjustments resulted in a net gain of $60.8 million, with gains primarily from the strengthening of the Euro, Brazilian real, British pound sterling, Chilean peso, and Indonesian rupiah against the US dollar. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, currency translation adjustments resulted in a net loss of $67.3 million, with losses primarily from the weakening of the Euro, British pound sterling, and Brazilian real against the US dollar.

 

14. Income Taxes

Mattel’s provision for income taxes was $62.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, as compared to $59.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. During the three months ended September 30, 2009, Mattel recognized discrete tax expense of $2.2 million related to a change in previously recorded taxes based on tax return filings and recently enacted tax law. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, Mattel recognized net discrete tax benefits of $0.3 million related to a change in estimate of previously unrecognized tax benefits and a change in previously recorded taxes based on tax return filings and the impact of state law changes.

 

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During the three months ended September 30, 2009, Mattel took a tax position related to the recognition of a capital loss from the liquidation of certain Canadian subsidiaries acquired as part of The Learning Company acquisition. This tax position does not meet the requirements to be recognized in the financial statements and, accordingly, Mattel has an unrecognized tax benefit of approximately $167 million related to the capital loss claimed. In the event the unrecognized tax benefit were to later meet the financial statement recognition requirements, it is uncertain as to whether there would be any benefit to Mattel’s provision for income taxes as projected capital gain income in the carryforward period to utilize this capital loss may not be sufficient and a valuation allowance, up to the full amount, would likely be required.

During the normal course of business, Mattel is regularly audited by federal, state, and foreign tax authorities. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) is currently auditing Mattel’s 2006 and 2007 federal income tax returns. The IRS audit plan calls for the completion of the current examination in the second quarter of 2010. At this time, there is insufficient information related to current IRS, state, and foreign audits to quantify any possible changes in the unrecognized tax benefits that may occur during the next twelve months.

 

15. Foreign Currency Transaction Gains and Losses

Currency exchange rate fluctuations may impact Mattel’s results of operations and cash flows. Mattel’s currency transaction exposures include gains and losses realized on unhedged inventory purchases and unhedged receivables and payables balances that are denominated in a currency other than the applicable functional currency. Gains and losses on unhedged inventory purchases and other transactions associated with operating activities are recorded in the components of operating income to which they relate in the consolidated statements of operations. For hedges of intercompany loans and advances, which do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, the gains or losses on the hedges resulting from changes in fair value as well as the offsetting transaction gains or losses on the related hedged items, along with unhedged items, are recognized in non-operating (income) expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Inventory purchase and sale transactions denominated in the Euro, British pound sterling, Mexican peso, and Venezuelan bolivar fuerte are the primary transactions that cause foreign currency transaction exposure for Mattel.

Currency transaction (gains) losses included in the consolidated statements of operations are as follows:

 

     For the Three Months Ended     For the Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,
2009
    September 30,
2008
    September 30,
2009
    September 30,
2008
 
     (In thousands)  

Operating income

   $       (34,000   $       (45,839   $       (63,125   $       (89,521

Other non-operating expense (income), net

     12,259        (10,693     3,635        11,829   
                                

Net transaction gains

   $ (21,741   $ (56,532   $ (59,490   $ (77,692
                                

 

16. Derivative Instruments

Effective January 1, 2009, Mattel adopted ASC 815-10 (formerly SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133). ASC 815-10 amends and expands the current disclosure requirements to provide users of financial statements with an enhanced understanding of (i) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (ii) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for, and (iii) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. The adoption of this standard had no impact on Mattel’s financial statements.

Mattel seeks to mitigate its exposure to foreign currency transaction risk by monitoring its foreign currency transaction exposure for the year and partially hedging such exposure using foreign currency forward exchange contracts. Mattel uses foreign currency forward exchange contracts as cash flow hedges primarily to hedge its purchases and sales of inventory denominated in foreign currencies. These contracts generally have maturity

 

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dates up to 18 months. These derivative instruments have been designated as effective cash flow hedges, whereby the unsettled hedges are reported in Mattel’s consolidated balance sheets at fair value, with changes in the fair value of the hedges reflected in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). Realized gains and losses for these contracts are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the inventory is sold to customers. Additionally, Mattel uses foreign currency forward exchange contracts to hedge intercompany loans and advances denominated in foreign currencies. Due to the short-term nature of the contracts involved, Mattel does not use hedge accounting for these contracts, and as such, changes in fair value are recorded in the period of change in the consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2009, Mattel held foreign currency forward exchange contracts with notional amounts of approximately $1.17 billion, which was equal to the exposure hedged.

In connection with the issuance of its $100.0 million of Floating Rate Senior Notes, Mattel entered into two interest rate swap agreements, each in a notional amount of $50.0 million, for the purpose of hedging the variability of cash flows in the interest payments due to fluctuations of the LIBOR benchmark interest rate. The two interest rate swap agreements expired in June 2009, which corresponded with the maturity of the Floating Rate Senior Notes. These derivative instruments were designated as effective cash flow hedges, whereby the hedges were reported in Mattel’s consolidated balance sheets at fair value, with changes in the fair value of the hedges reflected in OCI. Under the terms of the agreements, Mattel received quarterly interest payments from the swap counterparties based on the three-month LIBOR plus 40 basis points and made semi-annual interest payments to the swap counterparties based on a fixed rate of 5.871%. The three-month LIBOR used to determine interest payments under the interest rate swap agreements had reset every three months, matching the variable interest on the Floating Rate Senior Notes.

The following table presents Mattel’s derivative assets and liabilities at September 30, 2009 (in thousands):

 

    

Asset Derivatives

  

Liability Derivatives

    

Balance Sheet Location

   Fair Value   

Balance Sheet Location

   Fair Value

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

           

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

 

  

Prepaid expenses and other

current assets

 

   $

 

8,894

 

  

Accrued liabilities

 

   $

 

38,904

 

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

   Other noncurrent assets      972    Other noncurrent liabilities      4,002
                   

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments

      $ 9,866       $   42,906
                   

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

           

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

      $ —      Accrued liabilities    $ 3,592
                   

Total derivatives

      $     9,866       $ 46,498
                   

 

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The following tables present the location and amount of gains and losses, net of taxes, from derivatives reported in the consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):

 

    For the Three Months Ended
September 30, 2009
  For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
    Statements of
Operations
Location
    Amount of Gain
(Loss) Recognized
in OCI
    Amount of
Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI
to Statements of
Operations
  Amount of Gain
(Loss) Recognized
in OCI
    Amount of
Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI
to Statements of
Operations
   

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

         

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

  $ (11,039   $ 5,379   $ (18,090   $ 10,667      Cost of sales

Interest rate swaps

    —          —       (349     (1,550   Interest expense
                               

Total

  $            (11,039   $                5,379   $             (18,439   $                9,117     
                               

The net gains of $5.4 million and $9.1 million reclassified from accumulated OCI to the statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, are offset by the changes in cash flows associated with the underlying hedged transactions.

 

     Amount of Gain
Recognized in the
Statements of Operations
   Statements of
Operations
Location
     For the Three
Months Ended
September 30, 2009
   For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30, 2009
  

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

     

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

   $ 13,619    $ 15,850    Other non-operating
    (income) expense

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts

     2,544      3,078    Cost of sales
                

Total

   $                16,163    $                18,928   
                

The net gains of $16.2 million and $18.9 million recognized in the statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, are offset by foreign currency transaction losses on the related hedged balances.

 

17. Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents information about Mattel’s assets and liabilities measured and reported in the financial statements at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2009 and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 

   

Level 1 – Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access.

 

   

Level 2 – Valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

 

   

Level 3 – Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable, supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

 

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Mattel does not have any significant financial assets or liabilities measured at fair value using Level 1 or Level 3 inputs as of September 30, 2009, September 30, 2008, or December 31, 2008. Mattel’s financial assets and liabilities measured using Level 2 inputs include the following:

 

    September 30, 2009   September 30, 2008   December 31, 2008
    (In thousands)

Assets:

     

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts (a)

  $ 9,866   $ 28,446   $ 24,714
                 

Liabilities:

     

Foreign currency forward exchange contracts (a)

  $ 46,498   $ 15,001   $ 12,326

Interest rate swaps (b)

    —       3,216     1,934
                 

Total liabilities

  $               46,498   $               18,217   $             14,260
                 

 

(a) The fair value of the foreign currency forward exchange contracts is based on dealer quotes of market forward rates and reflects the amount that Mattel would receive or pay at their maturity dates for contracts involving the same currencies and maturity dates.
(b) The fair value of the interest rate swaps is based on dealer quotes using cash flows discounted at relevant market interest rates.

Effective January 1, 2009, Mattel adopted ASC 820-10 (formerly SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements), for all nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, such as goodwill and identifiable intangible assets. The adoption of this standard for nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis did not impact Mattel’s financial position or results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, and Mattel does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on the amounts reported in the financial statements in future periods.

Effective April 1, 2009, Mattel adopted ASC 820-10 (formerly FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or the Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly). This standard provides additional guidance on (i) estimating fair value when the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased in relation to normal market activity for the asset or liability, and (ii) circumstances that may indicate that a transaction is not orderly. The adoption of this standard did not impact Mattel’s financial position or results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.

 

18. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Effective April 1, 2009, Mattel adopted ASC 825-10 (formerly FSP No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments), which requires disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in interim as well as in annual financial statements.

Mattel’s financial instruments include cash and equivalents, investments, accounts receivable and payable, short-term borrowings, and accrued liabilities. The carrying amount of these instruments approximates fair value because of their short-term nature.

The estimated fair value of Mattel’s long-term debt, including the current portion, is $796.7 million (compared to a carrying amount of $760.0 million) as of September 30, 2009. The estimated fair value has been calculated based on broker quotes or rates for the same or similar instruments.

The fair value related disclosures for Mattel’s derivative financial instruments are included in Note 16, “Derivative Instruments”, and Note 17, “Fair Value Measurements”.

 

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19. Other Selling and Administrative Expenses

Other selling and administrative expenses include the following:

 

     For the Three Months Ended    For the Nine Months Ended
     September 30, 2009    September 30, 2008    September 30, 2009    September 30, 2008
     (In thousands)

Design and development

   $                43,787    $                48,172    $             127,696    $             138,474

Identifiable intangible asset amortization

     2,601      2,268      7,916      7,097

 

20. Earnings Per Share

Effective January 1, 2009, Mattel adopted ASC 260-10 (formerly FSP Emerging Issues Task Force No. 03-6-1, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities). Under ASC 260-10, unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. Certain of Mattel’s restricted stock units (“RSUs”) are considered participating securities because they contain nonforfeitable rights to dividend equivalents. The retrospective application of this standard reduced previously reported basic and diluted earnings per share by $0.01 for the three months ended September 30, 2008, and had no impact on the previously reported nine month period ended September 30, 2008.

Under the two-class method, net income is reduced by the amount of dividends declared in the period for each class of common stock and participating securities. The remaining undistributed earnings are then allocated to common stock and participating securities as if all of the net income for the period had been distributed. Basic earnings per common share excludes dilution and is calculated by dividing net income allocable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income allocable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares for the period, as adjusted for the potential dilutive effect of non-participating share-based awards. The following table reconciles earnings per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.

 

    For the Three
Months Ended
    For the Nine
Months Ended
 
    September 30,
2009
    September 30,
2008
    September 30,
2009
    September 30,
2008
 

BASIC

       

Net income

  $ 229,842      $ 238,098      $ 200,325      $ 203,235   

Less net income allocable to participating RSUs

    (2,718     (2,510     (2,227     (1,921
                               

Net income available for basic common shares

  $ 227,124      $ 235,588      $ 198,098      $ 201,314   
                               

Weighted average common shares outstanding

    360,843        360,881        359,513        361,339   
                               

Basic net income per common share

  $ 0.63      $ 0.65      $ 0.55      $ 0.56   
                               

DILUTED

       

Net income

  $ 229,842      $ 238,098      $ 200,325      $ 203,235   

Less net income allocable to participating RSUs

    (2,710     (2,504     (2,222     (1,915
                               

Net income available for diluted common shares

  $ 227,132      $ 235,594      $ 198,103      $ 201,320   
                               

Weighted average common shares outstanding

    360,843        360,881        359,513        361,339   

Weighted average common equivalent shares arising from:

       

Dilutive stock options and non-participating RSUs

    1,082        861        817       1,167   
                               

Weighted average number of common and potential common shares

    361,925        361,742        360,330        362,506   
                               

Diluted net income per common share

  $             0.63      $             0.65      $             0.55      $             0.56   
                               

 

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The calculation of potential common shares assumes the exercise of dilutive stock options and vesting of non-participating RSUs, net of assumed treasury share repurchases at average market prices. Nonqualified stock options and non-participating RSUs totaling 19.2 million shares and 20.4 million shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, because they were antidilutive. Nonqualified stock options and non-participating RSUs totaling 9.8 million shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 because they were antidilutive.

 

21. Employee Benefit Plans

Mattel and certain of its subsidiaries have qualified and nonqualified retirement plans covering substantially all employees of these companies, which are more fully described in Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in its 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

A summary of the components of net periodic benefit cost for Mattel’s defined benefit pension plans is as follows:

 

    For the Three Months Ended     For the Nine Months Ended  
    September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008     September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008  
    (In thousands)  

Service cost

  $ 3,124      $ 2,816      $ 9,037      $ 9,162   

Interest cost

    8,700        6,483        23,865        19,669   

Expected return on plan assets

    (7,782     (6,606     (22,636     (20,072

Amortization of prior service cost

    557        438        1,301        1,394   

Recognized actuarial loss

    3,248        1,446        9,307        4,445   
                               
  $                 7,847      $                 4,577      $                 20,874      $                 14,598   
                               

A summary of the components of net periodic benefit cost for Mattel’s postretirement benefit plans is as follows:

 

     For the Three Months Ended    For the Nine Months Ended
     September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008    September 30, 2009    September 30, 2008
     (In thousands)

Service cost

   $ 9      $ 27    $ 62    $ 75

Interest cost

     368        664      1,696      2,098

Recognized actuarial (gain) loss

     (175     126      178      384
                            
   $                     202      $                     817    $                     1,936    $                     2,557
                            

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, Mattel made cash contributions totaling approximately $20 million and $31 million, respectively, to its defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans.

 

22. Share-Based Payments

Mattel has various stock compensation plans, which are more fully described in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in its 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Under the Mattel, Inc. 2005 Equity Compensation Plan (the “2005 Plan”), Mattel has the ability to grant nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, RSUs, dividend equivalent rights, and shares of common stock to officers, employees, and other persons providing services to Mattel. Stock options expire no later than ten years from the date of grant and both stock options and RSUs generally provide for vesting over a period of three years from the date of grant. Such stock options under the 2005 Plan were granted with exercise prices at or above the fair market value of Mattel’s common stock on the applicable measurement dates.

 

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Compensation expense, included within other selling and administrative expenses, related to stock options and RSUs is as follows:

 

     For the Three Months Ended    For the Nine Months Ended
     September 30, 2009    September 30, 2008    September 30, 2009    September 30, 2008
     (In thousands)

Stock option compensation expense

   $ 3,931    $ 3,283    $ 8,726    $ 5,644

RSU compensation expense

     10,954      8,384      26,304      19,445
                           
   $               14,885    $               11,667    $                35,030    $                25,089
                           

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, Mattel recognized compensation expense of $2.0 million and $3.0 million, respectively, which is included in the RSU compensation expense amounts noted above, for performance RSUs granted in connection with its January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2010 Long Term Incentive Plan, which is more fully described in Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in its 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

As of September 30, 2009, total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based payments totaled $83.4 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years.

Mattel uses treasury shares purchased under its share repurchase program to satisfy stock option exercises and the vesting of RSUs. Cash received for stock option exercises for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $20.6 million and $18.3 million, respectively.

 

23. Contingencies

With regard to the claims against Mattel described below, Mattel intends to defend itself vigorously. Except as described in Note 8, “Product Recalls and Withdrawals,” management cannot reasonably determine the scope or amount of possible liabilities that could result from an unfavorable settlement or resolution of these claims, and no reserves for these claims have been established as of September 30, 2009. However, it is possible that an unfavorable resolution of these claims could have a material adverse effect on Mattel’s financial condition and results of operations, and there can be no assurance that Mattel will be able to achieve a favorable settlement or resolution of these claims.

Litigation Related to Carter Bryant and MGA Entertainment, Inc.

In April 2004, Mattel filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Carter Bryant (“Bryant”), a former Mattel design employee. The suit alleges that Bryant aided and assisted a Mattel competitor, MGA Entertainment, Inc. (“MGA”), during the time he was employed by Mattel, in violation of his contractual and other duties to Mattel. In September 2004, Bryant asserted counterclaims against Mattel, including counterclaims in which Bryant sought, as a putative class action representative, to invalidate Mattel’s Confidential Information and Proprietary Inventions Agreements with its employees. Bryant also removed Mattel’s suit to the United States District Court for the Central District of California. In December 2004, MGA intervened as a party-defendant in Mattel’s action against Bryant, asserting that its rights to Bratz properties are at stake in the litigation.

Separately, in November 2004, Bryant filed an action against Mattel in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The action sought a judicial declaration that Bryant’s purported conveyance of rights in Bratz was proper and that he did not misappropriate Mattel property in creating Bratz.

In April 2005, MGA filed suit against Mattel in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. MGA’s action alleges claims of trade dress infringement, trade dress dilution, false designation of origin, unfair competition, and unjust enrichment. The suit alleges, among other things, that certain products, themes, packaging, and/or television commercials in various Mattel product lines have infringed upon products, themes,

 

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packaging, and/or television commercials for various MGA product lines, including Bratz. The complaint also asserts that various alleged Mattel acts with respect to unidentified retailers, distributors, and licensees have damaged MGA and that various alleged acts by industry organizations, purportedly induced by Mattel, have damaged MGA. MGA’s suit alleges that MGA has been damaged in an amount “believed to reach or exceed tens of millions of dollars” and further seeks punitive damages, disgorgement of Mattel’s profits and injunctive relief.

In June 2006, the three cases were consolidated in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. On July 17, 2006, the Court issued an order dismissing all claims that Bryant had asserted against Mattel, including Bryant’s purported counterclaims to invalidate Mattel’s Confidential Information and Proprietary Inventions Agreements with its employees, and Bryant’s claims for declaratory relief. Mattel believes the remaining MGA claims against it are without merit and intends to continue to vigorously defend against them.

In November 2006, Mattel asked the Court for leave to file an Amended Complaint that included not only additional claims against Bryant, but also included claims for copyright infringement, RICO violations, misappropriation of trade secrets, intentional interference with contract, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty and breach of duty of loyalty, and unfair competition, among others, against MGA, its CEO Isaac Larian, certain MGA affiliates and an MGA employee. The basis for the Amended Complaint was the MGA defendants’ infringement of Mattel’s copyrights and their pattern of misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair competition in violation of the applicable statutes. On January 12, 2007, the Court granted Mattel leave to file these claims as counterclaims in the consolidated cases, which Mattel did that same day.

In February 2007, the Court decided that the consolidated cases would be tried in two phases, with the first trial to determine claims and defenses related to Mattel’s ownership of Bratz works and whether MGA infringed those works. The second trial, which is not currently scheduled, will consider both Mattel’s separate claims for misappropriation of trade secrets and violations of the RICO statute and MGA’s claims for unfair competition. In May 2009, Mattel obtained leave to file a Third Amended Answer and Counterclaims in the litigation in connection with the claims to be tried as part of the second phase.

On May 19, 2008, Bryant reached a confidential settlement agreement with Mattel and is no longer a defendant in the litigation. In the public stipulation entered by Mattel and Bryant in connection with the resolution, Bryant agreed that he was and would continue to be bound by all prior and future Court Orders relating to Bratz ownership and infringement, including the Court’s summary judgment rulings.

The first phase of the first trial, which began on May 27, 2008, resulted in a unanimous jury verdict on July 17, 2008 in favor of Mattel, finding that almost all of the Bratz design drawings and other works in question were created by Bryant while he was employed at Mattel. Among other things, the jury determined that MGA and Isaac Larian intentionally interfered with the contractual duties owed by Bryant to Mattel, aided and abetted Bryant’s breaches of his duty of loyalty to Mattel, aided and abetted Bryant’s breaches of the fiduciary duties he owed to Mattel, and converted Mattel property for their own use.

In the second phase of the first trial, which began on July 23, 2008, the same jury determined the amount of damages to award to Mattel for MGA’s and Isaac Larian’s conversion, intentional interference with Bryant’s contractual duties, and aiding and abetting Bryant’s breaches of his fiduciary duties and duty of loyalty to Mattel. In addition, the jury determined if Bratz dolls and related products infringe on the Bratz drawings and other works owned by Mattel, what damages to assess for such infringement, and whether certain defenses asserted by MGA have merit. The jury was instructed that if it found infringement, it was to determine the amount of damages to be awarded to Mattel due to the infringement. On August 26, 2008, the jury rendered a unanimous verdict for Mattel in the second phase of the trial. The jury found that defendants MGA, Larian, and MGA Entertainment (HK) Limited infringed Mattel’s copyrights in the Bratz design drawings and other Bratz works. The jury awarded Mattel total damages of approximately $100 million against the defendants for the copyright infringement claim and the claims that the defendants intentionally interfered with Bryant’s contract, aided and abetted Bryant’s breach of his fiduciary duty and duty of loyalty to Mattel, and converted Mattel’s property for their own use.

 

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Post-trial, Mattel moved the Court to enjoin MGA from producing infringing products in the future. Mattel also asked the Court to award to Mattel certain rights in the term “Bratz”, which the jury found Bryant had conceived and created while a Mattel employee. Mattel also moved the Court to enter declaratory relief confirming, among other things, Mattel’s rights in the Bratz works found by the jury to have been created by Bryant during his Mattel employment. MGA filed motions as well, including a motion that asserted the Court should rule for MGA on equitable affirmative defenses such as laches, waiver and estoppel against Mattel’s claims. On December 3, 2008, the Court issued a series of orders rejecting MGA’s equitable defenses and granting Mattel’s motions, including an order enjoining the MGA party defendants from manufacturing, marketing, or selling certain Bratz fashion dolls or from using the “Bratz” name. The Court stayed the effect of the December 3, 2008 injunctive orders until further order of the Court and entered a further specified stay of the injunctive orders on January 7, 2009.

The parties filed and argued additional motions for post-trial relief, including a request by MGA to enter judgment as a matter of law on Mattel’s claims in MGA’s favor and to reduce the jury’s damages award to Mattel. Mattel additionally moved for the appointment of a receiver. On April 27, 2009, the Court entered an order confirming that Bratz works found by the jury to have been created by Bryant during his Mattel employment are and were Mattel’s property and that hundreds of Bratz female fashion dolls infringe Mattel’s copyrights. The Court also upheld the jury’s award of damages in the amount of $100 million and ordered an accounting of post-trial Bratz sales. The Court further vacated the stay of the December 3, 2008 orders, except to the extent specified by the Court’s January 7, 2009 modification. Finally, the Court appointed a temporary receiver with powers to manage, supervise and oversee the Bratz brand and assets of the MGA entities. The temporary receivership was subsequently terminated, and the Court appointed a monitor in lieu of a receiver to facilitate implementation and enforcement of the injunctive orders.

Litigation Related to Product Recalls and Withdrawals

Product Liability Litigation in the United States

Twenty-two lawsuits have been filed in the United States asserting claims arising out of the August 2, August 14, September 4, and/or October 25, 2007 voluntary product recalls by Mattel and Fisher-Price, as well as the withdrawal of red and green toy blood pressure cuffs from retail stores or their replacement at the request of consumers.

Eighteen of those cases were commenced in the following United States District Courts: ten in the Central District of California (Mayhew v. Mattel, filed August 7, 2007; White v. Mattel, filed August 16, 2007; Luttenberger v. Mattel, filed August 23, 2007; Puerzer v. Mattel, filed August 29, 2007; Shah v. Fisher-Price, filed September 13, 2007; Rusterholtz v. Mattel, filed September 27, 2007; Jimenez v. Mattel, filed October 12, 2007; Probst v. Mattel, filed November 5, 2007; Entsminger v. Mattel, filed November 9, 2007; and White v. Mattel, filed November 26, 2007, hereinafter, “White II”); three in the Southern District of New York (Shoukry v. Fisher-Price, filed August 10, 2007; Goldman v. Fisher-Price, filed August 31, 2007; and Allen v. Fisher-Price, filed November 16, 2007); two in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania (Monroe v. Mattel, filed August 17, 2007, and Chow v. Mattel, filed September 7, 2007); one in the Southern District of Indiana (Sarjent v. Fisher-Price, filed August 16, 2007); one in the District of South Carolina (Hughey v. Fisher-Price, filed August 24, 2007); and one in the Eastern District of Louisiana (Sanders v. Mattel, filed November 14, 2007). Two other actions originally filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court were removed to federal court in the Central District of California (Healy v. Mattel, filed August 21, 2007, and Powell v. Mattel, filed August 20, 2007). Another lawsuit commenced in San Francisco County Superior Court was removed to the federal court in the Northern District of California (Harrington v. Mattel, filed August 20, 2007). One other action was commenced in District of Columbia Superior Court and removed to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia (DiGiacinto v. Mattel, filed August 29, 2007). Mattel was named as a defendant in all of the actions, while Fisher-Price was named as a defendant in nineteen of the cases.

 

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Multidistrict Litigation (MDL)

On September 5, 2007, Mattel and Fisher-Price filed a motion before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (“JPML”) asking that all federal actions related to the recalls be coordinated and transferred to the Central District of California (In re Mattel Inc. Toy Lead Paint Products Liability Litigation). On December 18, 2007, the JPML issued a transfer order, transferring six actions pending outside the Central District of California (Sarjent, Shoukry, Goldman, Monroe, Chow and Hughey) to the Central District of California for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings with five actions pending in the Central District (Mayhew, White, Luttenberger, Puerzer and Shah). The remaining cases (Healy, Powell, Rusterholtz, Jiminez, Probst, Harrington, DiGiacinto, Allen, Sanders, Entsminger, and White II ), so-called “potential tag-along actions,” are either already pending in the Central District of California or have been transferred there pursuant to January 3 and January 17, 2008 conditional transfer orders issued by the JPML. These matters are all currently pending in In re Mattel, Inc. Toy Lead Paint Products Liability Litigation, No. 2:07-ML-01897-DSF-AJW, MDL 1897 (C. D. Ca.) (the “MDL proceeding”).

On March 31, 2008, plaintiffs filed a Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint in the MDL proceeding, which was followed with a Second Consolidated Amended Complaint (the “Consolidated Complaint”), filed on May 16, 2008. Plaintiffs seek certification of a class of all persons who, from May 2003 through the present, purchased and/or acquired certain allegedly hazardous toys. The Consolidated Complaint defines hazardous toys as those toys recalled between August 2, 2007 and October 25, 2007, due to the presence of lead in excess of applicable standards in the paint on some parts of some of the toys; those toys recalled on November 21, 2006 and August 14, 2007, related to magnets; and the red and green toy blood pressure cuffs voluntarily withdrawn from retail stores or replaced at the request of consumers. Defendants named in the Consolidated Complaint are Mattel, Fisher-Price, Target Corporation, Toys “R” Us, Inc., Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., KB Toys, Inc., and Kmart Corporation. Mattel has assumed the defense of Target Corporation, Toys “R” Us, Inc., KB Toys, Inc., and Kmart Corporation, and agreed to indemnify all of the retailer defendants, for the specific claims raised in the Consolidated Complaint, which claims relate to the sale of Mattel and Fisher-Price toys.

In the Consolidated Complaint, plaintiffs assert claims for breach of implied and express warranties, negligence, strict liability, violation of the United States Consumer Product Safety Act (“CPSA”) and related Consumer Product Safety Rules, various California consumer protection statutes, and unjust enrichment. Plaintiffs seek (i) declaratory and injunctive relief enjoining defendants from continuing the allegedly unlawful practices raised in the Consolidated Complaint; (ii) restitution and disgorgement of monies acquired by defendants from the allegedly unlawful practices; (iii) costs of initial diagnostic blood lead level testing to detect possible injury to plaintiffs and members of the class; (iv) costs of treatment for those who test positive to the initial diagnostic blood lead level testing; (v) reimbursement of the purchase price for the allegedly hazardous toys; and (vi) costs and attorneys’ fees. On June 24, 2008, defendants filed motions to dismiss the Consolidated Complaint. On November 24, 2008, the Court granted defendants’ motion with respect to plaintiffs’ claims under the CPSA related to the magnet toys and the toy blood pressure cuffs and denied defendants’ motions in all other respects.

On October 13, 2009, plaintiffs and Mattel filed a joint motion with the Court seeking preliminary approval of a class action settlement of the MDL proceeding, which the Court granted on October 23, 2009. Pursuant to the Court’s order of preliminary approval, the parties will implement the settlement, then seek final approval from the Court on March 15, 2010. Upon such final approval, Mattel and the other defendants in the MDL proceeding will be released from all claims arising out of the lead- and magnet-related recalls (except for any individual personal injury claims). Under the settlement, Mattel has agreed, among other things, to provide various categories of economic relief for members of the settlement class, maintain a quality assurance system and make a charitable contribution to fund child safety programs. In addition, Mattel has agreed not to object to plaintiffs’ counsel’s application to the Court for attorneys’ fees up to a specified amount.

 

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Product Liability Litigation in Canada

Since September 26, 2007, eight proposed class actions have been filed in the provincial superior courts of the following Canadian provinces: British Columbia (Trainor v. Fisher-Price, filed September 26, 2007); Alberta (Cairns v. Fisher-Price, filed September 26, 2007); Saskatchewan (Sharp v. Mattel Canada, filed September 26, 2007); Quebec (El-Mousfi v. Mattel Canada, filed September 27, 2007, and Fortier v. Mattel Canada, filed October 10, 2007); Ontario (Wiggins v. Mattel Canada, filed September 28, 2007); New Brunswick (Travis v. Fisher-Price, filed September 28, 2007); and Manitoba (Close v. Fisher-Price, filed October 3, 2007). Mattel, Fisher-Price, and Mattel Canada are defendants in all of the actions, and Fisher-Price Canada is a defendant in two of the actions (El-Mousfi and Wiggins). All but one of the cases seek certification of both a class of residents of that province and a class of all other residents of Canada outside the province where the action was filed. The classes are generally defined similarly in all of the actions to include both purchasers of the toys recalled by Mattel and Fisher-Price in August and September 2007 and children, either directly or through their parents as “next friends,” who have had contact with those toys.

The actions in Canada generally allege that defendants were negligent in allowing their products to be manufactured and sold with lead paint on the toys and negligent in the design of the toys with small magnets, which led to the sale of defective products. The cases typically state claims in four categories: (i) production of a defective product; (ii) misrepresentations; (iii) negligence; and (iv) violations of consumer protection statutes. Plaintiffs generally seek general and special damages, damages in the amount of monies paid for testing of children based on alleged exposure to lead, restitution of any amount of monies paid for replacing recalled toys, disgorgement of benefits resulting from recalled toys, aggravated and punitive damages, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, and an award of litigation costs and attorneys’ fees. Plaintiffs in all of the actions except one do not specify the amount of damages sought. In the Ontario action (Wiggins), plaintiff demands general damages of CDN$75 million and special damages of CDN$150 million, in addition to the other remedies. In November 2007, the class action suit commenced by Mr. Fortier was voluntarily discontinued. In October 2008, counsel in the Quebec class action (El-Mousfi) sought permission from the Court to discontinue that action, and that request remains pending.

After the discontinuance of his class action suit, Mr. Fortier filed an individual action in Quebec (Fortier v. Mattel Canada, Inc., filed on November 22, 2007). In his individual action, Mr. Fortier alleges that he purchased recalled toys and, as a result, suffered damages, including consequential and incidental damages such as worry, concern, and costs of the products and replacement products, medicines, diagnosis, and treatment. Mr. Fortier alleges damages of CDN$5 million. Mattel moved to stay Mr. Fortier’s individual action pending resolution of the request to proceed as a class action filed in the El-Mousfi action also pending in Quebec, and that motion to stay was denied.

All of the actions in Canada are at a preliminary stage.

Product Liability and Related Claims in Brazil

Three consumer protection associations and agencies have filed claims against Mattel’s subsidiary Mattel do Brasil Ltda. in the following courts in Brazil: (a) the Public Treasury Court in the State of Santa Catarina (Associacao Catarinense de Defesa dos Cidadaos, dos Consumidores e dos Contribuintes (“ACC/SC”)—ACC/SC v. Mattel do Brasil Ltda., filed on February 2, 2007); (b) the Second Commercial Court in the State of Rio de Janeiro (Consumer Protection Committee of the Rio de Janeiro State Legislative Body (“CPLeg/RJ”)—CPLeg/RJ v. Mattel do Brasil Ltda., filed on August 17, 2007); and (c) the Sixth Civil Court of the Federal District (Brazilian Institute for the Study and Defense of Consumer Relationships (“IBEDEC”)—IBEDEC v. Mattel do Brasil Ltda., filed on September 13, 2007). The ACC/SC case is related to the recall of magnetic products in November 2006; the CPLeg/RJ case is related to the August 2007 recall of magnetic products; and the IBEDEC case is related to the August and September 2007 recalls of magnetic products and products with non-approved paint containing lead exceeding the limits established by applicable regulations and Mattel standards. The cases generally state claims in four categories: (i) production of a defective product; (ii) misrepresentations; (iii) negligence; and (iv) violations of consumer protection statutes. Plaintiffs generally

 

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seek general and special damages; restitution of monies paid by consumers to replace recalled toys; disgorgement of benefits resulting from recalled toys; aggravated and punitive damages; pre-judgment and post-judgment interest; injunctive relief; and litigation costs and attorneys’ fees. The amount of damages sought by plaintiffs is not generally specified, except that in the Public Treasury Court in the State of Santa Catarina action, ACC/SC demands general damages of approximately $1 million, in addition to other remedies, and in the Sixth Civil Court of the Federal District action, IBEDEC estimated the amount of approximately $21 million, as a basis for calculating court fees, in addition to requesting other remedies.

On June 18, 2008, the court held that the action brought by IBEDEC was without merit, and on July 1, 2008, IBEDEC filed an appeal. On July 23, 2008, Mattel do Brasil submitted its appellate brief. On September 15, 2008, the Public Prosecutor’s Office submitted its opinion to the court, which supported upholding the original decision, given that no reason had been cited for ordering the company to pay pain and suffering damages. Moreover, just as the judge had done, the Public Prosecutor’s Office determined that the mere recall of products does not trigger any obligation to indemnify any party. On November 4, 2008, the panel of three appellate judges unanimously upheld the lower court’s decision. On November 18, 2008, IBEDEC filed a special appeal and on January 5, 2009 Mattel do Brasil filed its response. On February 2, 2009, the special appeal lodged by IBEDEC was rejected. In February, 2009, IBEDEC filed a new interlocutory appeal, and on March, 16, 2009, Mattel do Brasil presented its counter arguments to the IBEDEC interlocutory appeal. Currently, Mattel do Brasil is awaiting the judgment of this new appeal.

On July 9, 2008, the court also rendered a decision concerning the action brought by CPLeg/RJ. The judge rejected the claim for general damages, but Mattel do Brasil was ordered to provide product-exchange outlets in certain locations for replacement of the recalled products, to publish in newspapers the provisions of the court decision, and to make available on its website the addresses of the outlets for replacement of recalled products and the provisions of the court’s decision. The decision also allowed the consumers who were affected by the recall to submit information to the court, so that the applicability of pecuniary damages can be analyzed later, on a case by case basis. It finally ordered Mattel do Brasil to pay attorneys’ fees in an amount equal to 10% of the value placed on the claim (with a value placed on the claim of approximately $12,500). Mattel do Brasil filed a motion seeking to resolve apparent discrepancies in the court’s decision, but the judge sustained the decision, as rendered, and Mattel do Brasil filed its appeal of such decision. On September 19, 2008, the appeals court accepted Mattel’s appeal for purposes of remand, only, and not to stay the proceedings. Seeking to prevent execution on the judgment, Mattel do Brasil filed an interlocutory appeal and requested the court grant a preliminary injunction. On October 14, 2008 the injunction was granted. On February 5, 2009, the court heard the interlocutory appeal and confirmed the injunction. On September 1, 2009, the appeals court in Rio de Janeiro unanimously reversed the judgment issued by the lower court. Therefore, Mattel do Brasil is not required to establish outlets in each city of the State of Rio de Janeiro for purposes of further conducting the magnets and lead recalls. Mattel do Brasil expects Codecon to present a special appeal.

Since August 20, 2007, the Department of Consumer Protection and Defense (“DPDC”), the Consumer Protection Office (“PROCON”) of São Paulo, Mato Grosso and Rio de Janeiro, and public prosecutors from the States of Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte, and Rio de Janeiro have brought eight administrative proceedings against Mattel do Brasil, alleging that the company offered products whose risks to consumers’ health and safety should have been known by Mattel. The proceedings have been filed with the following administrative courts: (a) DPDC (DPDC v. Mattel do Brasil Ltda., filed on August 20, 2007, and DPDC v. Mattel do Brasil Ltda., filed on September 14, 2007); (b) PROCON (PROCON/MT v. Mattel do Brasil, filed on August 29, 2007, PROCON/SP v. Mattel do Brasil, filed on September 4, 2007, and PROCON/RJ v. Mattel do Brasil, filed on August 27, 2007); and (c) the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP/RJ v. Mattel do Brasil, filed on September 27, 2007, MP/PE v. Mattel do Brasil, filed on September 28, 2007, and MP/RN v. Mattel do Brasil, filed on October 10, 2007). The administrative proceedings generally state claims based on the alleged negligence of Mattel do Brasil regarding recalled products. In the PROCON/SP proceeding, plaintiff estimated a fine equivalent to approximately $400,000. None of the other administrative proceedings listed above specify the amount of the penalties that could be applied if the claims against Mattel do Brasil are successful. On

 

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December 21, 2007, PROCON/SP rendered a decision and decided to impose a fine on Mattel do Brasil in the approximate amount of $200,000. On January 9, 2008, Mattel do Brasil filed an administrative appeal regarding the decision of December 21, 2007. On January 29, 2009, the administrative appeal was not granted and as a consequence Mattel do Brasil decided to pursue further adjudication of this matter in the Brazilian courts.

In addition to the matters discussed above, a few individual consumers in Brazil have brought individual lawsuits against Mattel do Brasil. These lawsuits have been brought in special courts that provide expedited judgments on cases involving amounts below $7,000 and in consumer defense agencies (PROCONs). Generally, these claims focus on alleged failures by Mattel to make refunds in cash or replace recalled products with new toys in the proper time and manner. At present there are 10 individual lawsuits; none of these lawsuits states a claim for damages exceeding $7,000. The special courts that provide expedited judgments have issued decisions in eleven lawsuits brought by individual consumers; in three of these cases, the court decisions order Mattel do Brasil to refund only the amounts paid by the consumers for the recalled toys; in six cases, Mattel do Brasil was also ordered to pay general damages (“danos morais”) to the consumers, which range from approximately $250 to $450. Two of the lawsuits were dismissed in their entirety.

All of the actions in Brazil are progressing and are at various stages of adjudication as described above.

 

24. Segment Information

Mattel’s operating segments are separately managed business units and are divided on a geographic basis between domestic and international. Mattel’s domestic operating segments include:

Mattel Girls & Boys Brands—including Barbie® fashion dolls and accessories (“Barbie®”), Polly Pocket®, Little Mommy®, Disney Classics, and High School Musical (collectively “Other Girls Brands”), Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, Speed Racer®, and Tyco R/C® vehicles and playsets (collectively “Wheels”), and CARS, Radica®, Speed Racer®, Batman®, and Kung Fu Panda® products, and games and puzzles (collectively “Entertainment”).

Fisher-Price Brands—including Fisher-Price® , Little People®, BabyGear, and View-Master® (collectively “Core Fisher-Price®”), Sesame Street®, Dora the Explorer®, Winnie the Pooh, Go-Diego-Go!®, and See ‘N Say® (collectively “Fisher-Price® Friends”), and Power Wheels® .

American Girl Brands—including Just Like You®, the historical collection, and Bitty Baby®. American Girl Brands products are sold directly to consumers via its catalogue, website, and proprietary retail stores. Its children’s publications are also sold to certain retailers.

Additionally, the International segment sells products in all toy categories, except American Girl Brands.

The following tables present information about revenues, income (loss), and assets by segment. Mattel does not include sales adjustments such as trade discounts and other allowances in the calculation of segment revenues (referred to as “gross sales”). Mattel records these adjustments in its financial accounting systems at the time of sale to each customer, but the adjustments are not allocated to individual products. For this reason, Mattel’s chief operating decision maker uses gross sales by segment as one of the metrics to measure segment performance. Such sales adjustments are included in the determination of segment income (loss) from operations based on the adjustments recorded in the financial accounting systems. Segment income (loss) from operations represents operating income (loss), while consolidated income from operations represents income from operations before income taxes as reported in the consolidated statements of operations. The corporate and other category includes costs not allocated to individual segments, including charges related to incentive compensation, share-based payments, and corporate headquarters functions managed on a worldwide basis, and the impact of changes in foreign currency rates on intercompany transactions.

 

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    For the Three Months Ended     For the Nine Months Ended  
    September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008     September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008  
    (In thousands)  

Revenues

       

Domestic:

       

Mattel Girls & Boys Brands US

  $ 474,785      $ 470,869      $ 908,382      $ 957,356   

Fisher-Price Brands US

    496,458        529,490        882,558        956,102   

American Girl Brands

    82,380        78,840        209,850        209,011   
                               

Total Domestic

    1,053,623        1,079,199        2,000,790        2,122,469   

International

    902,285        1,049,188        1,787,292        2,227,025   
                               

Gross sales

    1,955,908        2,128,387        3,788,082        4,349,494   

Sales adjustments

    (164,033     (182,072     (312,364     (371,449
                               
  $         1,791,875      $         1,946,315      $          3,475,718      $          3,978,045   
                               
    For the Three Months Ended     For the Nine Months Ended  
    September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008     September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008  
    (In thousands)  

Segment Income (Loss)

       

Domestic:

       

Mattel Girls & Boys Brands US

  $ 111,013      $ 73,359      $ 142,873      $ 87,895   

Fisher-Price Brands US

    120,863        94,942        139,496        106,666   

American Girl Brands

    8,432        (18     3,202        (7,441
                               

Total Domestic

    240,308        168,283        285,571        187,120   

International

    176,252        167,677        212,870        249,555   
                               
    416,560        335,960        498,441        436,675   

Corporate and other expense (a)

    80,106        20,611        184,683        127,253   
                               

Operating income

    336,454        315,349        313,758        309,422   

Interest expense

    19,317        20,411        52,723        53,026   

Interest (income)

    (1,510     (6,013     (7,513     (21,831

Other non-operating expense (income), net

    14,014        (6,157     5,548        15,988   
                               

Income before income taxes

  $ 304,633      $ 307,108      $ 263,000      $ 262,239   
                               

 

(a) Corporate and other expense includes (i) share-based compensation expense of $14.9 million and $35.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, and $11.7 million and $25.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30 2008, respectively, (ii) charges to establish a legal settlement reserve for product liability-related litigation amounting to $5.4 million and $27.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively, (iii) legal fees associated with recall-related litigation matters, and (iv) legal fees associated with MGA litigation matters.

 

     September 30, 2009    September 30, 2008    December 31, 2008
     (In thousands)

Assets

        

Domestic:

        

Mattel Girls & Boys Brands US

   $ 330,809    $ 399,679    $ 249,013

Fisher-Price Brands US

     410,494      496,009      198,241

American Girl Brands

     100,020      107,085      62,718
                    

Total Domestic

     841,323      1,002,773      509,972

International

     1,206,023      1,411,941      755,735
                    
     2,047,346      2,414,714      1,265,707

Corporate and other

     8,993      49,239      93,760
                    

Accounts receivable and inventories, net

   $         2,056,339    $         2,463,953    $         1,359,467
                    

 

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Mattel sells a broad variety of toy products, which are grouped into three major categories: Mattel Girls & Boys Brands, Fisher-Price Brands, and American Girl Brands. The table below presents worldwide revenues by category:

 

     For the Three Months Ended     For the Nine Months Ended  
     September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008     September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008  
     (In thousands)  

Worldwide Revenues

        

Mattel Girls & Boys Brands

   $ 1,084,605      $ 1,211,648      $ 2,129,200      $ 2,526,155   

Fisher-Price Brands

     784,766        833,067        1,438,438        1,602,389   

American Girl Brands

     82,380        78,840        209,850        209,011   

Other

     4,157        4,832        10,594        11,939   
                                

Gross sales

     1,955,908        2,128,387        3,788,082        4,349,494   

Sales adjustments

     (164,033     (182,072     (312,364     (371,449
                                

Net sales

   $         1,791,875      $         1,946,315      $         3,475,718      $         3,978,045   
                                

 

25. New Accounting Pronouncements

The following recently issued but not yet enacted accounting standards have not yet been codified by the FASB, as described in Note 1, “Basis of Presentation.”

In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1, Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets. FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1 amends SFAS No. 132(R), Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits, to require additional disclosures about plan assets held in an employer’s defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan, to provide users of financial statements with an understanding of (i) how investment allocation decisions are made, including the factors that are pertinent to an understanding of investment policies and strategies, (ii) the major categories of plan assets, (iii) the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets including the level within the fair value hierarchy, using the guidance in SFAS No. 157, and (iv) significant concentrations of risk within plan assets. FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. Mattel does not expect the adoption of FSP No. FAS 132(R)-1 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 166, Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 140. SFAS No. 166 amends SFAS No. 140, Accounting for the Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and the Extinguishments of Liabilities, and seeks to improve the relevance and comparability of the information that a reporting entity provides in its financial statements about transfers of financial assets; the effects of the transfer on its financial position, financial performance, and cash flows; and a transferor’s continuing involvement, if any, in transferred financial assets. SFAS No. 166 eliminates the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity, creates more stringent conditions for reporting a transfer of a portion of a financial asset as a sale, clarifies other sale-accounting criteria, and changes the initial measurement of a transferor’s interest in transferred financial assets. SFAS No. 166 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2009. Mattel does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 166 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No.167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R). SFAS No. 167 amends FASB Interpretation No. (“FIN”) 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (revised December 2003)—an interpretation of ARB No. 51, which requires an enterprise to determine whether its variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. The primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity is the enterprise that has both (1) the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance, and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity. SFAS No. 167 also amends FIN 46(R) to require ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. SFAS No. 167 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2009. Mattel does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 167 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial information and related notes that appear in Part I, Item 1, of this Quarterly Report. Mattel’s business is seasonal; therefore, results of operations are comparable only with corresponding periods.

Factors That May Affect Future Results

(Cautionary Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995)

Mattel is including this cautionary statement to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”) for forward-looking statements. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks” or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs, such as “will,” “should,” “could,” “may,” “aims,” “intends,” or “projects.” A forward-looking statement is neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events or circumstances, and those future events or circumstances may not occur. Investors should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. These forward-looking statements are all based on currently available operating, financial, economic and competitive information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual future results and trends may differ materially depending on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties detailed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in Mattel’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Overview

Mattel designs, manufactures, and markets a broad variety of toy products worldwide through sales to its customers and directly to consumers. Mattel’s business is dependent in great part on its ability each year to redesign, restyle, and extend existing core products and product lines, to design and develop innovative new products and product lines, and to successfully market those products and product lines. Mattel plans to continue to focus on its portfolio of traditional brands that have historically had worldwide appeal, to create new brands utilizing its knowledge of children’s play patterns, and to target customer and consumer preferences around the world.

Mattel’s portfolio of brands and products are grouped in the following categories:

Mattel Girls & Boys Brands—including Barbie® fashion dolls and accessories (“Barbie®”), Polly Pocket®, Little Mommy®, Disney Classics, and High School Musical (collectively “Other Girls Brands”), Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, Speed Racer®, and Tyco R/C® vehicles and playsets (collectively “Wheels”), and CARS, Radica®, Speed Racer®, Batman®, and Kung Fu Panda® products, and games and puzzles (collectively “Entertainment”).

Fisher-Price Brands—including Fisher-Price®, Little People®, BabyGear, and View-Master® (collectively “Core Fisher-Price®”), Sesame Street®, Dora the Explorer®, Winnie the Pooh, Go-Diego-Go!®, and See ‘N Say® (collectively “Fisher-Price® Friends”), and Power Wheels® .

American Girl Brands—including Just Like You®, the historical collection, and Bitty Baby®. American Girl Brands products are sold directly to consumers via its catalogue, website, and proprietary retail stores. Its children’s publications are also sold to certain retailers.

Mattel’s objective is to continue to create long-term shareholder value by generating strong cash flow and deploying it in a disciplined and opportunistic manner as outlined in Mattel’s capital and investment framework (see “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Capital and Investment Framework”). To achieve this objective, management has established three overarching goals.

 

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The first goal is to enhance innovation in order to reinvigorate the Barbie® brand, while maintaining growth in other core brands, by continuing to develop popular toys. Additionally, Mattel plans to pursue additional licensing arrangements and strategic partnerships to extend its portfolio of brands into areas outside of traditional toys.

The second goal is to improve execution in areas including manufacturing, distribution, and selling. Mattel continues to focus on improving the efficiency of its supply chain using Lean supply chain initiatives. The objective of the Lean program is to improve the flow of processes, do more with less, and focus on the value chain from beginning to end.

The third goal is to further capitalize on Mattel’s scale advantage. For example, as the world’s largest toy company, Mattel believes it can realize cost savings when making purchasing decisions based on a One Mattel philosophy.

Third Quarter 2009 Overview

Third quarter net sales continue to be under pressure, as expected, as Mattel continues to experience the negative effects of foreign currency exchange, reduced shipments as retailers continue to tightly manage inventories, and the fact that 2009 is a light year for Mattel entertainment-related products. Overall for the quarter, Mattel improved its margins by appropriately pricing its products, tightly managing costs, and aligning its infrastructure with realistic revenue assumptions. Additionally, Mattel has made progress on improving cash flows during the quarter, which continues to be a high priority. More specifically:

 

   

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased from 46.2% in the third quarter of 2008 to 51.3% in the third quarter of 2009, primarily due to price increases, lower input costs and royalty expense, and net cost savings related to the Global Cost Leadership program, partially offset by unfavorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

   

Operating income increased from $315.3 million in the third quarter of 2008 to $336.5 million in the third quarter of 2009, primarily due to higher gross profit as a percentage of net sales and lower advertising expense, partially offset by lower sales and higher other selling and administrative expenses.

 

   

The Global Cost Leadership program generated net costs savings of approximately $23 million during the third quarter of 2009, and approximately $73 million during the first nine months of 2009.

 

   

Cash flows used in operations decreased from a use of $666.6 million in the first nine months of 2008 to a use of $318.8 million in the first nine months of 2009.

 

   

Capital expenditures decreased from $138.5 million in the first nine months of 2008 to $90.5 million in the first nine months of 2009.

On an overall basis, despite the pressures on net sales, Mattel has made progress in regaining the margins lost over the past few years, executing its Global Cost Leadership program, and tightly managing its cash and capital expenditures.

2009 and Beyond

Mattel’s priorities for the remainder of the year are consistent with its goals and the progress that has been made during the first nine months of 2009: to improve profitability, improve cash flow, and strengthen its balance sheet. Mattel is managing its business based on realistic revenue assumptions and taking actions intended to meet these goals:

 

   

Mattel implemented a modest price increase for its 2009 product line;

 

   

Mattel is evaluating reductions to the number of stock keeping units (“SKUs”) it offers;

 

   

Mattel is reassessing its advertising spending and strategy with the expectation that 2009 advertising expense will be at the low end of its historical range of 11 to 13 percent of net sales; and

 

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Mattel initiated its Global Cost Leadership program in 2008, which includes a global reduction in its professional workforce of approximately 1,000 employees implemented beginning in November 2008, an additional reduction in Mattel’s professional workforce initiated in the third quarter of 2009, a coordinated efficiency strategic plan that includes structural changes designed to lower costs and improve efficiencies, and additional procurement initiatives designed to fully leverage Mattel’s global scale. This program is expected to generate approximately $90 million to $100 million of net cost savings in 2009, and approximately $180 million to $200 million of cumulative net cost savings by the end of 2010.

Management expects to focus on profitability and margins and conserve cash for the remainder of 2009. As a result, Mattel will continue to tightly manage its capital expenditures to a level that is more consistent with its levels of capital expenditures in 2003 through 2007. In addition, given the current volatile global economic environment, Mattel is prioritizing protecting Mattel’s dividend to shareholders and minimizing strategic acquisitions and share repurchases in 2009.

Results of Operations—Third Quarter

Consolidated Results

Net sales for the third quarter of 2009 were $1.79 billion, down 8% as compared to $1.95 billion in 2008, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 3 percentage points. Net income for the third quarter of 2009 was $229.8 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, as compared to a net income of $238.1 million, or $0.65 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2008. Net income for the third quarter of 2009 was negatively impacted by lower sales, higher other selling and administrative expenses, higher other non-operating expense, and unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates, partially offset by gross margin improvement and lower advertising and promotion expenses.

The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s consolidated results for the third quarter of 2009 and 2008 (in millions, except percentage and basis point information):

 

     For the Three Months Ended September 30,     Year/Year Change  
     2009     2008    
     Amount     % of Net
Sales
    Amount     % of Net
Sales
    %     Basis Points
of Net Sales
 

Net sales

   $ 1,791.9      100.0   $ 1,946.3      100.0   –8   —     
                        

Gross profit

   $ 918.6      51.3   $ 900.1      46.2   2   510   

Advertising and promotion expenses

     197.1      11.0        223.8      11.5      –12   (50

Other selling and administrative expenses

     385.0      21.5        361.0      18.5      7   300   
                        

Operating income

     336.5      18.8        315.3      16.2      7   260   

Interest expense

     19.3      1.1        20.4      1.0      –5   10   

Interest (income)

     (1.5   –0.1        (6.0   –0.3      –75   20   

Other non-operating expense (income), net

     14.1      0.8        (6.2   –0.3      –327   110   
                        

Income before income taxes

   $ 304.6      17.0   $ 307.1      15.8     120   
                        

Sales

Net sales for the third quarter of 2009 were $1.79 billion, down 8% as compared to $1.95 billion in 2008, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 3 percentage points. Gross sales within the US decreased 2% in the third quarter of 2009, as compared to 2008, and accounted for 53.9% of consolidated gross sales in the third quarter of 2009, as compared to 50.7% in 2008. Gross sales in international markets decreased 14% in the third quarter of 2009, as compared to 2008, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 5 percentage points.

 

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Worldwide gross sales of Mattel Girls & Boys Brands decreased 10% in the third quarter of 2009 to $1.08 billion, with unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 3 percentage points. Domestic gross sales of Mattel Girls & Boys Brands increased 1% and international gross sales of Mattel Girls & Boys Brands decreased 18%, with unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 6 percentage points. Worldwide gross sales of Barbie® decreased 8%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 4 percentage points. Domestic gross sales of Barbie® decreased less than 1% and international gross sales of Barbie® decreased 12%, with unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 6 percentage points. Worldwide gross sales of Other Girls products decreased 19%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 4 percentage points, driven primarily by sales declines in High School Musical and Polly Pocket® products, partially offset by higher sales of Little Mommy® and Disney Princesses products domestically. Worldwide gross sales of Wheels products decreased 3%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 4 percentage points, driven primarily by sales declines in Tyco R/C® and Speed Racer® products, partially offset by higher sales of Core Hot Wheels® products. Worldwide gross sales of Core Hot Wheels® increased 9%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 5 percentage points. Worldwide gross sales of Entertainment products decreased 15%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 4 percentage points, driven primarily by lower sales of Radica® and products tied to last year’s three key summer movie properties: Batman®, Speed Racer®, and Kung Fu Panda®, partially offset by sales of products tied to Toy Story and Toy Story 2 and higher sales of CARSproducts domestically.

Worldwide gross sales of Fisher-Price Brands were $784.8 million, down 6% in the third quarter of 2009, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 2 percentage points. Domestic gross sales of Fisher-Price Brands decreased 6% and international gross sales decreased 5%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 4 percentage points. Worldwide gross sales of Core Fisher-Price® decreased 4%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 2 percentage points. Domestic gross sales of Core Fisher-Price® decreased 2% and international gross sales decreased 7%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 5 percentage points. Worldwide gross sales of Fisher-Price® Friends decreased 13%, with no impact from changes in currency exchange rates. Domestic gross sales of Fisher-Price® Friends decreased 21% and international gross sales increased 3%.

American Girl Brands gross sales were $82.4 million, up 4% in the third quarter of 2009, as compared to $78.8 million in the third quarter of 2008, reflecting the benefit of the November 2008 openings of the American Girl Boutique and Bistros® in Boston and Minneapolis.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales was 48.7% in the third quarter of 2009 as compared to 53.8% in the third quarter of 2008. Cost of sales decreased by $172.9 million, or 17%, from $1.05 billion in the third quarter of 2008 to $873.3 million in the third quarter of 2009, as compared to a 8% decrease in net sales. Cost of sales decreased primarily due to lower sales as compared to the third quarter of 2008. Within cost of sales, product costs decreased by $131.0 million, or 15%, from $851.0 million in the third quarter of 2008 to $720.0 million in the third quarter of 2009; freight and logistics expenses decreased by $29.1 million, or 26%, which included net cost savings from the Global Cost Leadership program, from $114.0 million in the third quarter of 2008 to $84.9 million in the third quarter of 2009; and royalty expense decreased $12.8 million, or 16%, from $81.2 million in the third quarter of 2008 to $68.4 million in the third quarter of 2009.

Gross Profit

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 51.3% in the third quarter of 2009 as compared to 46.2% in the third quarter of 2008. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to price increases, lower input costs and royalty expense, and net cost savings related to the Global Cost Leadership program, partially offset by unfavorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

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Advertising and Promotion Expenses

Advertising and promotion expenses, as a percentage of net sales, were 11.0% in the third quarter of 2009 as compared to 11.5% in the third quarter of 2008.

Other Selling and Administrative Expenses

Other selling and administrative expenses were $385.0 million, or 21.5% of net sales, in the third quarter of 2009 as compared to $361.0 million, or 18.5% of net sales, in the third quarter of 2008. The absolute dollar increase in other selling and administrative expenses is primarily due to higher accrued incentive compensation, partially offset by foreign currency exchange benefit, lower litigation-related expenses of approximately $4 million, and cost savings related to the Global Cost Leadership program of approximately $22 million. The cost savings were partially offset by severance and other termination-related charges of approximately $18 million.

Non-Operating Income (Expense)

Interest expense decreased from $20.4 million in the third quarter of 2008 to $19.3 million in the third quarter of 2009, due primarily to lower average borrowings. Interest income decreased from $6.0 million in the third quarter of 2008 to $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2009, due to lower average investment rates and lower average invested cash balances. Other non-operating expense was $14.1 million in the third quarter of 2009 and primarily related to foreign currency exchange losses caused by local currency revaluation of US dollar cash balances held by Mattel’s Venezuelan subsidiary. Other non-operating income was $6.2 million in the third quarter of 2008 and primarily related to foreign currency exchange gains caused by local currency revaluation of US dollar cash balances held by Mattel’s Venezuelan subsidiary.

Provision for Income Taxes

Mattel’s provision for income taxes was $74.8 million for the third quarter of 2009, as compared to $69.0 million for the third quarter of 2008. During the third quarter of 2009, Mattel recognized discrete tax expense of $2.2 million related to a change in previously recorded taxes based on tax return filings and recently enacted tax law.

Business Segment Results

Mattel’s reportable segments are separately managed business units and are divided on a geographic basis between domestic and international. The Domestic segment is further divided into Mattel Girls & Boys Brands US, Fisher-Price Brands US, and American Girl Brands.

Domestic Segment

Mattel Girls & Boys Brands US gross sales were $474.8 million in the third quarter of 2009, up $3.9 million or 1%, as compared to $470.9 million in the third quarter of 2008. Within this segment, gross sales of Barbie® products decreased less than 1%. Gross sales of Other Girls products decreased 3%, primarily due to sales declines in High School Musical products, partially offset by higher sales of Little Mommy® and Disney Princesses products. Gross sales of Wheels products increased 8%, primarily due to higher sales of Core Hot Wheels®, partially offset by sales declines in Tyco R/C® and Speed Racer® products. Gross sales of Entertainment products decreased 3%, driven primarily by lower sales of Radica® and products tied to last year’s three key summer movie properties: Batman®, Speed Racer®, and Kung Fu Panda®, partially offset by sales of products tied to Toy Story and Toy Story 2 and higher sales of CARSproducts. Mattel Girls & Boys Brands US segment income increased $37.6 million to $111.0 million in the third quarter of 2009 from $73.4 million in the third quarter of 2008, primarily due to higher gross profit.

 

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Fisher-Price Brands US gross sales were $496.5 million in the third quarter of 2009, down $33.0 million or 6%, as compared to $529.5 million in the third quarter of 2008. Within this segment, gross sales of Fisher-Price® Friends products decreased 21% and gross sales of Core Fisher-Price® products decreased 2%. Fisher-Price Brands US segment income increased $26.0 million to $120.9 million in the third quarter of 2009 from $94.9 million in the third quarter of 2008, primarily due to higher gross margin and lower other selling and administrative expenses, partially offset by lower sales volume.

American Girl Brands gross sales were $82.4 million, up 4% in the third quarter of 2009, as compared to $78.8 million in the third quarter of 2008, reflecting the benefit of the November 2008 openings of the American Girl Boutique and Bistros® in Boston and Minneapolis. American Girl Brands had segment income of $8.4 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to a segment loss of $0.02 million in the third quarter of 2008, primarily due to higher gross margin and lower other selling and administrative expenses.

International Segment

The following table provides a summary of percentage changes in gross sales within the International segment for the third quarter of 2009 versus 2008:

 

Non-US Regions:

   % Change in
Gross Sales
    Impact of Change
in Currency
(in % pts)
 

Total International

   (14   (5

Europe

   (16   (4

Latin America

   (13   (8

Asia Pacific

   3      (2

Other

   (18   (2

International gross sales decreased by 14% in the third quarter of 2009, as compared to the third quarter of 2008, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 5 percentage points. Gross sales of Mattel Girls & Boys Brands decreased 18% in the third quarter of 2009, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 6 percentage points. Gross sales of Barbie® products decreased 12%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 6 percentage points. Gross sales of Other Girls products decreased 29%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 5 percentage points, driven primarily by sales declines in Polly Pocket® and High School Musicalproducts, partially offset by higher sales of Little Mommy® products. Gross sales of Wheels products decreased 12%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 6 percentage points, driven primarily by sales declines in Tyco R/C® and Speed Racer® products. Gross sales of Entertainment products decreased 23%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 6 percentage points, driven primarily by lower sales of Radica®, products tied to last year’s three key summer movie properties: Batman®, Speed Racer®, and Kung Fu Panda®, and CARS products, partially offset by higher sales of products tied to Toy Story and Toy Story 2. Gross sales of Fisher-Price Brands decreased 5% in the third quarter of 2009, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 4 percentage points. Gross sales of Fisher-Price® Friends products increased 3%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 1 percentage points. Gross sales of Core Fisher-Price® products decreased 7%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 5 percentage points. International segment income increased by $8.6 million from $167.7 million in the third quarter of 2008 to $176.3 million in the third quarter of 2009, primarily due to higher gross margin, lower advertising and promotion expenses, and lower other selling and administrative expenses, partially offset by lower sales volume.

 

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Results of Operations—First Nine Months

Consolidated Results

Net sales for the first nine months of 2009 were $3.48 billion, down 13% as compared to $3.98 billion in 2008, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 4 percentage points. Net income for the first nine months of 2009 was $200.3 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $203.2 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2008. Net income for the first nine months of 2009 was negatively impacted by lower sales, net charges for legal settlements of product liability-related litigation of $21.4 million, and lower interest income, partially offset by gross margin improvement, lower advertising and promotion expenses, and lower other selling and administrative expenses.

The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s consolidated results for the first nine months of 2009 and 2008 (in millions, except percentage and basis point information):

 

     For the Nine Months Ended September 30,     Year/Year Change  
     2009     2008    
     Amount     % of Net
Sales
    Amount     % of Net
Sales
    %     Basis Points
of Net Sales
 

Net sales

   $ 3,475.7      100.0   $ 3,978.0      100.0   –13   —     
                        

Gross profit

   $ 1,670.5      48.1   $ 1,792.2      45.1   –7   300   

Advertising and promotion expenses

     371.0      10.7        443.6      11.2      –16   (50

Other selling and administrative expenses

     985.7      28.4        1,039.2      26.1      –5   230   
                        

Operating income

     313.8      9.0        309.4      7.8      1   120   

Interest expense

     52.7      1.5        53.0      1.3      –1   20   

Interest (income)

     (7.5   –0.2        (21.8   –0.5      –66   30   

Other non-operating expense, net

     5.6      0.2        16.0      0.4      –65   (20
                        

Income before income taxes

   $ 263.0      7.6   $ 262.2      6.6     100   
                        

Sales

Net sales for the first nine months of 2009 were $3.48 billion, down 13% as compared to $3.98 billion in 2008, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 4 percentage points. Gross sales within the US decreased 6% in the first nine months of 2009, as compared to 2008, and accounted for 52.8% of consolidated gross sales in the first nine months of 2009, as compared to 48.8% in 2008. Gross sales in international markets decreased 20% in the first nine months of 2009, as compared to 2008, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 9 percentage points.

Worldwide gross sales of Mattel Girls & Boys Brands decreased 16% in the first nine months of 2009 to $2.13 billion, with unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 6 percentage points. Domestic gross sales of Mattel Girls & Boys Brands decreased 5% and international gross sales decreased 22%, with unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 9 percentage points. Worldwide gross sales of Barbie® decreased 9%, with unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 6 percentage points. Domestic gross sales of Barbie® increased 2% and international gross sales of Barbie® decreased 15%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 9 percentage points. Worldwide gross sales of Other Girls products decreased 22%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 6 percentage points, driven primarily by sales declines in High School Musical and Polly Pocket® products, partially offset by higher domestic sales of Little Mommy® and Disney Princesses products. Worldwide gross sales of Wheels products decreased 13%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 5 percentage points, driven primarily by sales declines in Speed Racer® and Tyco R/C® products. Worldwide gross sales of Entertainment products decreased 22%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 6 percentage points, driven primarily by lower sales of Radica® and products tied to last year’s three key summer movie properties: Batman®, Speed Racer®, and Kung Fu Panda®, and CARSproducts internationally, partially offset by sales of products tied to Toy Story and Toy Story 2.

 

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Worldwide gross sales of Fisher-Price Brands were $1.44 billion, down 10% in the first nine months of 2009, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 3 percentage points. Domestic gross sales of Fisher-Price Brands decreased 8% and international gross sales decreased 14%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 8 percentage points. Worldwide gross sales of Core Fisher-Price® decreased 9%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 3 percentage points. Domestic gross sales of Core Fisher-Price® decreased 5% and international gross sales decreased 15%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 8 percentage points. Worldwide gross sales of Fisher-Price® Friends decreased 12%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 1 percentage point. Domestic gross sales of Fisher-Price® Friends decreased 15% and international gross sales decreased 7%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 4 percentage points.

American Girl Brands gross sales were flat in the first nine months of 2009, as compared to the first nine months of 2008. The benefit of the November 2008 openings of the American Girl Boutique and Bistros® in Boston and Minneapolis, were partially offset by lower sales of products tied to last year’s Kit Kittredge® movie.

Cost of Sales

Costs of sales in the first nine months of 2009 were $1.81 billion, down $380.6 million, or 17%, from $2.19 billion in 2008, as compared to a 13% decrease in net sales. Cost of sales decreased primarily due to lower sales as compared to the first nine months of 2008. Within cost of sales, product costs decreased by $268.8 million, or 15%, from $1.75 billion in the first nine months of 2008 to $1.48 billion in the first nine months of 2009; freight and logistics expenses decreased by $67.2 million, or 25%, which included net cost savings from the Global Cost Leadership program, from $266.2 million in the first nine months of 2008 to $199.0 million in the first nine months of 2009; and royalty expense decreased $44.6 million, or 27%, from $165.5 million in the first nine months of 2008 to $120.9 million in first nine months of 2009.

Gross Profit

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 48.1% in the first nine months of 2009, as compared to 45.1% in the first nine months of 2008. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to price increases, lower royalty expense, and net cost savings related to the Global Cost Leadership program, partially offset by unfavorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates and input cost pressures.

Advertising and Promotion Expenses

Advertising and promotion expenses were 10.7% of net sales in the first nine months of 2009, as compared to 11.2% of net sales in the first nine months of 2008.

Other Selling and Administrative Expenses

Other selling and administrative expenses were $985.7 million, or 28.4% of net sales, in the first nine months of 2009 as compared to $1.04 billion, or 26.1% of net sales, in the first nine months of 2008. The absolute dollar decrease in other selling and administrative expenses is primarily due to cost savings related to the Global Cost Leadership program of approximately $64 million, lower litigation-related expenses of approximately $37 million, and the impact of foreign currency exchange benefits, partially offset by higher accrued incentive compensation, severance and other termination-related charges of approximately $25 million, and net charges for legal settlements of product liability-related litigation of $21.4 million.

Non-Operating Income (Expense)

Interest expense decreased from $53.0 million in the first nine months of 2008 to $52.7 million in the first nine months of 2009 due primarily to lower average borrowings. Interest income decreased from $21.8 million in the first nine months of 2008 to $7.5 million in the first nine months of 2009, due to lower average interest rates

 

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and lower average invested cash balances. Other non-operating expense was $5.6 million and $16.0 million in the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, respectively, and primarily related to foreign currency exchange losses caused by local currency revaluation of US dollar cash balances held by Mattel’s Venezuelan subsidiary.

Provision for Income Taxes

Mattel’s provision for income taxes was $62.7 million for the first nine months of 2009, as compared to $59.0 million for the first nine months of 2008. During the first nine months of 2009, Mattel recognized discrete tax benefits of $0.3 million related to a change in estimate of previously unrecognized tax benefits and a change in previously recorded taxes based on tax return filings and the impact of state law changes.

Business Segment Results

Mattel’s reportable segments are separately managed business units and are divided on a geographic basis between domestic and international. The Domestic segment is further divided into Mattel Girls & Boys Brands US, Fisher-Price Brands US and American Girl Brands.

Domestic Segment

Mattel Girls & Boys Brands US gross sales were $908.4 million in the first nine months of 2009, down $49.0 million or 5%, as compared to $957.4 million in the first nine months of 2008. Within this segment, gross sales of Barbie® products increased 2%. Gross sales of Other Girls products decreased 5%, primarily due to sales declines in High School Musical products, partially offset by higher sales of Little Mommy® and Disney Princesses products. Gross sales of Wheels products decreased 3%, primarily due to sales declines in Speed Racer® and Tyco R/C® products, partially offset by higher sales of Core Hot Wheels®. Gross sales of Entertainment products decreased 14%, driven primarily by lower sales of Radica® and products tied to last year’s three key summer movie properties: Batman®, Speed Racer®, and Kung Fu Panda®, partially offset by sales of products tied to Toy Story and Toy Story 2 and higher sales of CARS products. Mattel Girls & Boys Brands US segment income increased $55.0 million, from $87.9 million in the first nine months of 2008 to $142.9 million in the first nine months of 2009, primarily driven by higher gross margin and lower other selling and administrative expenses, partially offset by lower sales volume.

Fisher-Price Brands US gross sales decreased 8% in the first nine months of 2009, as compared to the first nine months of 2008. Within this segment, gross sales of Core Fisher-Price® products decreased 5%, and gross sales of Fisher-Price® Friends products decreased 15%. Fisher-Price Brands US segment income increased $32.8 million to $139.5 million in the first nine months of 2009 from $106.7 million in the first nine months of 2008, primarily driven by higher gross margin, lower other selling and administrative expenses, and lower advertising and promotion expenses, partially offset by lower sales volume.

American Girl Brands gross sales were flat in the first nine months of 2009, as compared to the first nine months of 2008. The benefit of the November 2008 openings of the American Girl Boutique and Bistros® in Boston and Minneapolis, was partially offset by lower sales of products tied to last year’s Kit Kittredge® movie. American Girl Brands had segment income of $3.2 million in the first nine months of 2009, compared to a segment loss of $7.4 million in the first nine months of 2008, primarily driven by lower other selling and administrative expenses and higher gross profit.

 

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International Segment

The following table provides a summary of percentage changes in gross sales within the International segment for the first nine months of 2009 versus 2008:

 

Non-US Regions:

   % Change in
Gross Sales
    Impact of Change
in Currency
(in % pts)
 

Total International

   (20   (9

Europe

   (22   (7

Latin America

   (17   (11

Asia Pacific

   (11   (7

Other

   (22   (6

International gross sales decreased by 20% in the first nine months of 2009, as compared to the first nine months of 2008, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 9 percentage points. Gross sales of Mattel Girls & Boys Brands decreased 22% in the first nine months of 2009, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 9 percentage points. Gross sales of Barbie® decreased 15%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 9 percentage points. Gross sales of Other Girls products decreased 31%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 8 percentage points, driven primarily by sales declines in Polly Pocket® and High School Musical products, partially offset by higher sales of Little Mommy®. Gross sales of Wheels products decreased 21%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 9 percentage points, driven primarily by sales declines in Speed Racer® and Tyco R/C® products. Gross sales of Entertainment products decreased 27%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 9 percentage points, driven primarily by lower sales of CARS products, products tied to last year’s three key summer movie properties: Batman®, Speed Racer®, and Kung Fu Panda®, and Radica®, partially offset by sales of products tied to Toy Story and Toy Story 2. Gross sales of Fisher-Price Brands decreased 14% in the first nine months of 2009, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 8 percentage points. Gross sales of Core Fisher-Price® products decreased 15%, including unfavorable change in currency exchange rates of 8 percentage points. Gross sales of Fisher-Price® Friends products decreased 7%, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 4 percentage points. International segment income was $212.9 million in the first nine months of 2009, down $36.7 million from $249.6 million in the first nine months of 2008, primarily due to lower sales volume, partially offset by lower advertising and promotion expenses, lower other selling and administrative expenses, and higher gross margin.

Global Cost Leadership Program

During the middle of 2008, Mattel initiated its Global Cost Leadership program, which is designed to improve operating efficiencies and leverage Mattel’s global scale to improve profitability and operating cash flows. The major initiatives of Mattel’s Global Cost Leadership program include:

 

   

A global reduction in Mattel’s professional workforce of approximately 1,000 employees that was implemented beginning in November 2008, which is expected to generate approximately $60 million in annualized compensation-related savings during 2009.

 

   

An additional reduction in Mattel’s professional workforce initiated in the third quarter of 2009, which is expected to generate approximately $20 million in annualized compensation-related savings.

 

   

A coordinated efficiency strategic plan that includes structural changes designed to lower costs and improve efficiencies; for example, offshoring and outsourcing certain back office functions, and more clustering of management for international markets.

 

   

Additional procurement initiatives designed to fully leverage Mattel’s global scale in areas such as creative agency partnerships, legal services, and distribution, including ocean carriers and over-the-road freight vendors.

 

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Mattel’s Global Cost Leadership program is intended to generate approximately $90 million to $100 million of net cost savings during 2009, and approximately $180 million to $200 million of cumulative net cost savings by the end of 2010. During the third quarter of 2009, Mattel realized approximately $23 million in net cost savings, of which, approximately $4 million is reflected within other selling and administrative expenses (savings of approximately $22 million, partially offset by severance and other termination-related charges of approximately $18 million), approximately $15 million within costs of sales, and approximately $4 million within advertising and promotion expenses. During the first nine months of 2009, Mattel realized approximately $73 million in net cost savings, of which, approximately $39 million is reflected within other selling and administrative expenses (savings of approximately $64 million, partially offset by severance and other termination-related charges of approximately $25 million), approximately $27 million within costs of sales, and approximately $7 million within advertising and promotion expenses. Mattel expects to meet its 2009 goal of $90 to $100 million of net cost savings.

Income Taxes

Mattel’s provision for income taxes was $62.7 million for the first nine months of 2009, as compared to $59.0 million for the first nine months 2008. During the third quarter of 2009, Mattel recognized discrete tax expense of $2.2 million related to a change in previously recorded taxes based on tax return filings and recently enacted tax law. During the first nine months of 2009, Mattel recognized net discrete tax benefits of $0.3 million related to a change in estimate of previously unrecognized tax benefits and a change in previously recorded taxes based on tax return filings and the impact of state law changes. Mattel expects its full year 2009 effective tax rate to be approximately 23 to 24 percent.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Mattel’s primary sources of liquidity are its cash and equivalents balances, access to short-term borrowing facilities, including its $1.08 billion domestic unsecured committed revolving credit facility, and issuances of long-term debt securities. Cash flows from operating activities could be negatively impacted by decreased demand for Mattel’s products, which could result from factors such as adverse economic conditions and changes in public and consumer preferences, or by increased costs associated with manufacturing and distribution of products or shortages in raw materials or component parts. Additionally, Mattel’s ability to issue long-term debt and obtain seasonal financing could be adversely affected by factors such as the current global economic crisis and tight credit environment, an inability to meet its debt covenant requirements, which include maintaining consolidated debt-to-EBITDA and interest coverage ratios, or a deterioration of Mattel’s credit ratings. Mattel’s ability to conduct its operations could be negatively impacted should these or other adverse conditions affect its primary sources of liquidity.

Current Market Conditions

Mattel is exposed to financial market risk resulting from changes in interest and foreign currency rates, and recent developments in the financial markets have increased Mattel’s exposure to the possible liquidity and credit risks of its counterparties. Mattel believes that it has ample liquidity to fund its business needs, including beginning of the year cash and equivalents, cash flows from operations, and access to its $1.08 billion domestic unsecured committed revolving credit facility, which it uses for seasonal working capital requirements. Mattel’s domestic credit facility was amended and restated effective March 23, 2009 and expires on March 23, 2012, as more fully described below. As of September 30, 2009, Mattel had available incremental borrowing resources totaling approximately $763 million under this unsecured committed revolving credit facility, and Mattel has not experienced any limitations on its ability to access this source of liquidity. Market conditions could affect certain terms of other debt instruments that Mattel enters into from time to time.

Mattel monitors the third-party depository institutions that hold the company’s cash and equivalents. Mattel’s emphasis is primarily on safety and liquidity of principal and secondarily on maximizing the yield on those funds. Mattel diversifies its cash and equivalents among counterparties and securities to minimize

 

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exposure. During the first nine months of 2009, Mattel received proceeds of approximately $67 million, relating to a money market investment fund held as of December 31, 2008, which was classified as other current assets as a result of the money market investment fund halting redemption requests during 2008. Mattel expects to receive the remaining proceeds of approximately $14 million by the end of 2009, when the underlying securities will have matured. As of September 30, 2009, September 30, 2008, and December 31, 2008, Mattel also had additional long-term investments of $35.0 million.

Mattel is subject to credit risks relating to the ability of counterparties of hedging transactions to meet their contractual payment obligations. The risks related to creditworthiness and nonperformance have been considered in the fair value measurements of Mattel’s foreign currency forward exchange contracts. Mattel continues to closely monitor its counterparties and will take action, as appropriate, to further manage its counterparty credit risk.

Mattel expects that some of its customers and vendors may experience difficulty in obtaining the liquidity required to buy inventory or raw materials. Mattel monitors its customers’ financial condition and their liquidity in order to mitigate Mattel’s accounts receivable collectability risks and customer terms and credit limits are adjusted, if necessary. Additionally, Mattel uses a variety of financial arrangements to ensure collectability of accounts receivable of customers deemed to be a credit risk, including requiring letters of credit, factoring or purchasing various forms of credit insurance with unrelated third parties, or requiring cash in advance of shipment.

Mattel sponsors defined benefit pension plans and postretirement benefit plans for employees of the company. Actual returns below the expected rate of return, along with changes in interest rates that affect the measurement of the liability, would impact the amount and timing of Mattel’s future contributions to these plans.

Capital and Investment Framework

To guide future capital deployment decisions, with a goal of maximizing shareholder value, Mattel’s Board of Directors in 2003 established the following capital and investment framework:

 

   

To maintain approximately $800 million to $1 billion in year-end cash available to fund a substantial portion of seasonal working capital;

 

   

To maintain a year-end debt-to-capital ratio of about 25%;

 

   

To invest approximately $180 million to $200 million in capital expenditures annually to maintain and grow the business;

 

   

To make strategic acquisitions consistent with Mattel’s vision of providing “the world’s premier toy brands—today and tomorrow”; and

 

   

To return excess funds to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.

Mattel’s focus for 2009 is on strengthening its balance sheet and managing costs in line with realistic revenues with the goal of improving the profitability and cash flows generated by its business. As a result, management expects to conserve cash and lower debt, including tightly managing its capital expenditures to a level that is more consistent with its levels of capital expenditures in 2003 through 2007. In addition, given the current volatile global economic environment, Mattel is prioritizing protecting its dividend to shareholders and minimizing strategic acquisitions and share repurchases in 2009.

Over the long term, after the full impact of the current economic and financial crisis is understood and assuming cash flows from operating activities remain strong, Mattel plans to use its free cash flows to invest in strategic acquisitions and to return funds to shareholders through cash dividends and share repurchases. Mattel’s share repurchase program has no expiration date and repurchases will take place from time to time, depending on market conditions. The ability to successfully implement the capital deployment plan is directly dependent on Mattel’s ability to generate strong cash flows from operating activities. There is no assurance that Mattel will continue to generate strong cash flows from operating activities or achieve its targeted goals for investing activities.

 

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Operating Activities

Cash flows used for operating activities were $318.8 million in the first nine months of 2009, as compared to $666.6 million used in the first nine months of 2008. The decrease in cash flows used for operating activities was primarily due to lower seasonal working capital requirements.

Investing Activities

Cash flows used for investing activities in the first nine months of 2009 were $2.7 million, as compared to $224.0 million used in the first nine months of 2008. The decrease in cash flows used for investing activities was primarily due to an increase in other long-term investments in 2008, of which the proceeds of the investments were received in 2009, lower purchases of other property, plant, and equipment, and the acquisition of the intellectual property related to Whac-a-Mole® in 2008.

Financing Activities

Cash flows provided by financing activities in the first nine months 2009 were $21.0 million, as compared to $442.0 million in the first nine months of 2008. The decrease in cash flows provided by financing activities is primarily due to lower net proceeds from borrowings, partially offset by lower share repurchases.

Seasonal Financing

Mattel maintains and periodically amends or replaces its domestic unsecured committed revolving credit facility with a commercial bank group that is used as the primary source of financing for the seasonal working capital requirements of its domestic subsidiaries. The agreement in effect was amended and restated on March 23, 2009 to, among other things, (i) extend the maturity date of the credit facility to March 23, 2012, (ii) reduce aggregate commitments under the credit facility from $1.3 billion to $880.0 million, with an “accordion feature,” which would allow Mattel to increase the availability under the credit facility to $1.08 billion under certain circumstances, (iii) add an interest rate floor equal to 30-day LIBOR plus 1.00% for base rate loans under the credit facility, (iv) increase the applicable interest rate margins to a range of 2.00% to 3.00% above the applicable base rate for base rate loans, and 2.5% to 3.5% above the applicable LIBOR rate for Eurodollar rate loans, depending on Mattel’s senior unsecured long-term debt rating, (v) increase commitment fees to a range of 0.25% to 0.75% of the unused commitments under the credit facility (treating purchases of receivables under the receivables sales facility, as described below, as uses of commitments), and (vi) replace the consolidated debt-to-capital ratio with a consolidated debt-to-EBITDA ratio. In April and July 2009, Mattel utilized the accordion feature of the credit facility to increase the aggregate commitments under the credit facility by $60.0 million and $95.0 million, respectively. On October 9, 2009, Mattel further increased the aggregate commitments under the credit facility by $45.0 million, from $1.035 billion to $1.08 billion, which is the maximum aggregate commitment available under the credit facility.

The credit facility contains a variety of covenants, including financial covenants that Mattel is required to meet at the end of each fiscal quarter and fiscal year, using the formulae specified in the credit agreement to calculate the ratios. Mattel was in compliance with such covenants at the end of the first nine months of 2009. As of September 30, 2009, Mattel’s consolidated debt-to-EBITDA ratio, as calculated per the terms of the credit agreement, was 1.4 to 1 (compared to a maximum allowed of 3.0 to 1) and Mattel’s interest coverage ratio was 9.1 to 1 (compared to a minimum required of 3.50 to 1).

The domestic unsecured committed revolving credit facility is a material agreement and failure to comply with the financial covenant ratios may result in an event of default under the terms of the facility. If Mattel defaulted under the terms of the domestic unsecured committed revolving credit facility, its ability to meet its seasonal financing requirements could be adversely affected.

To finance seasonal working capital requirements of certain foreign subsidiaries, Mattel avails itself of individual short-term credit lines with a number of banks. Mattel expects to extend the majority of these credit lines throughout 2009.

 

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Mattel believes its cash on hand, amounts available under its domestic unsecured committed revolving credit facility, and its foreign credit lines will be ample to meet its seasonal financing requirements in 2009.

Mattel has a $300.0 million domestic receivables sales facility that is a sub-facility of Mattel’s domestic unsecured committed revolving credit facility, which was also amended in connection with the amendment of the credit facility. The amendment to the receivables sales facility, among other things, (i) extended the maturity date of the receivables sales facility to March 23, 2012, and (ii) incorporated the credit facility’s increased applicable interest rate margins described above. The outstanding amount of receivables sold under the domestic receivables facility may not exceed $300.0 million at any given time, and the amount available to be borrowed under the credit facility is reduced to the extent of any such outstanding receivables sold. Under the domestic receivables facility, certain trade receivables are sold to a group of banks, which currently include, among others, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and Societe Generale, as co-syndication agents, and Citicorp USA, Inc., Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. and Manufacturers & Traders Trust Company, as co-managing agents. Pursuant to the domestic receivables facility, Mattel Sales Corp., Fisher-Price, Inc., and Mattel Direct Import, Inc. (which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Mattel) can sell eligible trade receivables from Wal-Mart and Target to Mattel Factoring, Inc. (“Mattel Factoring”), a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned, consolidated subsidiary of Mattel. Mattel Factoring is a special purpose entity whose activities are limited to purchasing and selling receivables under this facility. Pursuant to the terms of the domestic receivables facility and simultaneous with each receivables purchase, Mattel Factoring sells those receivables to the bank group. Mattel records the transaction, reflecting cash proceeds and sale of accounts receivable in its consolidated balance sheet, at the time of the sale of the receivables to the bank group.

The outstanding amounts of accounts receivable that have been sold under these facilities and other factoring arrangements, net of collections from customers, have been excluded from Mattel’s consolidated balance sheets and are summarized as follows:

 

     September 30, 2009    September 30, 2008    December 31, 2008
     (In millions)

Receivables sold pursuant to the:

        

Domestic receivables facility

   $ 126.0    $ 82.5    $ 217.8

Other factoring arrangements

     7.2      —        35.5
                    
   $                 133.2    $                   82.5    $                253.3
                    

Financial Position

Mattel’s cash and equivalents decreased by $294.0 million to $323.7 million at September 30, 2009, as compared to December 31, 2008, due primarily to Mattel’s seasonal working capital needs. More specifically, the decrease in cash and equivalents during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 is primarily driven by increased accounts receivable and inventory, $90.5 million of purchases of tools, dies, and molds, and other property, plant, and equipment, partially offset proceeds received from the redemption of a money market investment fund.

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities increased by $45.1 million from December 31, 2008 to $1.1 billion at September 30, 2009, mainly due to the timing of payments of various accrued liability balances, including royalties, derivatives payable, and incentive compensation, partially offset by a decrease in receivable collections due bank related to the domestic receivables facility.

The current portion of long-term debt decreased $100.0 million to $50.0 million at September 30, 2009, as compared to $150.0 million at December 31, 2008, due to the repayment of $100.0 million of the 2006 Senior Notes and $40.0 million of Medium-term notes, offset by the reclassification of $40.0 million of Medium-term notes to current.

 

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A summary of Mattel’s capitalization is as follows:

 

    September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008     December 31, 2008  
    (In millions, except percentage information)  

Medium-term notes

  $ 160.0    4   $ 210.0    6   $ 200.0    6

2006 Senior Notes

    200.0    5        200.0    5        200.0    6   

2008 Senior Notes

    350.0    10        350.0    10        350.0    10   
                                      

Total noncurrent long-term debt

    710.0    19        760.0    21        750.0    22   

Other noncurrent liabilities

    536.7    15        391.5    11        547.9    16   

Stockholders’ equity

    2,405.7    66        2,421.2    68        2,117.1    62   
                                      
  $ 3,652.4    100   $ 3,572.7    100   $ 3,415.0    100
                                      

Total noncurrent long-term debt decreased by $40.0 million at September 30, 2009, as compared to December 31, 2008, due to the reclassification of $40.0 million of Medium-term notes to current. Mattel expects to satisfy its future long-term capital needs through the generation of corporate earnings and issuance of long-term debt instruments, as needed.

Other noncurrent liabilities increased $145.2 million at September 30, 2009, as compared to September 30, 2008, due primarily to increases in long-term defined benefit pension plan obligations.

Stockholders’ equity of $2.41 billion increased $288.6 million from December 31, 2008, primarily as a result of net income from operations and favorable currency translation adjustments.

Mattel’s debt-to-capital ratio, including short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt, decreased from 37.3% at September 30, 2008 to 27.6% at September 30, 2009 due to a decrease in short-term borrowings. Mattel’s objective is to maintain a year-end debt-to-capital ratio of approximately 25%.

Litigation

See Part II, Item 1 “Legal Proceedings.”

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Mattel’s critical accounting policies and estimates are included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and did not change during the first nine months of 2009.

New Accounting Pronouncements

See Item 1 “Financial StatementsNote 25 to the Consolidated Financial StatementsNew Accounting Pronouncements.”

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Mattel includes a non-GAAP financial measure, gross sales, which it uses to analyze its continuing operations and to monitor, assess and identify meaningful trends in its operating and financial performance. Net sales, as reported in the consolidated statements of operations, include the impact of sales adjustments, such as trade discounts and other allowances. Gross sales represent sales to customers, excluding the impact of sales adjustments, the 2007 Product Recalls, and the 2008 Product Withdrawal.

 

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Consistent with its segment reporting, Mattel presents changes in gross sales as a metric for comparing its aggregate, business unit, brand and geographic results to highlight significant trends in Mattel’s business. Changes in gross sales are discussed because, while Mattel records the detail of such sales adjustments in its financial accounting systems at the time of sale, such sales adjustments are generally not associated with individual products, making net sales less meaningful. A reconciliation of gross sales to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, net sales, is as follows:

 

     For the Three Months Ended     For the Nine Months Ended  
     September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008     September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008  
     (In thousands)  

Worldwide Revenues

        

Mattel Girls & Boys Brands

   $          1,084,605      $          1,211,648      $          2,129,200      $          2,526,155   

Fisher-Price Brands

     784,766        833,067        1,438,438        1,602,389   

American Girl Brands

     82,380        78,840        209,850        209,011   

Other

     4,157        4,832        10,594        11,939   
                                

Gross sales

     1,955,908        2,128,387        3,788,082        4,349,494   

Sales adjustments

     (164,033     (182,072     (312,364     (371,449
                                

Net sales

   $ 1,791,875      $ 1,946,315      $ 3,475,718      $ 3,978,045   
                                

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

Currency exchange rate fluctuations may impact Mattel’s results of operations and cash flows. Inventory purchase and sale transactions denominated in the Euro, British pound sterling, Mexican peso, and Venezuelan bolivar fuerte were the primary transactions that caused foreign currency transaction exposure for Mattel. Mattel seeks to mitigate its exposure to market risk by monitoring its currency transaction exposure for the year and partially hedging such exposure using foreign currency forward exchange contracts primarily to hedge its purchase and sale of inventory, and other intercompany transactions denominated in foreign currencies. These contracts generally have maturity dates of up to 18 months. For those intercompany receivables and payables that are not hedged along with US dollar cash balances held by certain international subsidiaries, the transaction gains or losses are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which the exchange rate changes as part of operating loss or other non-operating (income) expense, net based on the nature of the underlying transaction. Transaction gains or losses on hedged intercompany inventory transactions are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which the inventory is sold to customers. In addition, Mattel manages its exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations through the selection of currencies used for international borrowings. Mattel does not trade in financial instruments for speculative purposes.

Mattel’s financial position is also impacted by currency exchange rate fluctuations on translation of its net investment in subsidiaries with non-US dollar functional currencies. Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries with non-US dollar functional currencies are translated into US dollars at fiscal period-end exchange rates. Income, expense, and cash flow items are translated at weighted average exchange rates prevailing during the fiscal year. The resulting currency translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss within stockholders’ equity. Mattel’s primary currency translation exposures for the third quarter of 2009 were related to its net investment in entities having functional currencies denominated in the Euro, British pound sterling, and Mexican peso.

There are numerous factors impacting the amount by which Mattel’s financial results are affected by foreign currency transaction and translation gains and losses resulting from changes in currency exchange rates, including but not limited to the level of foreign currency forward exchange contracts in place at a given time and the volume of foreign currency denominated transactions in a given period. However, assuming that such factors were held constant, Mattel estimates that a 1 percent change in the US dollar Trade-Weighted Index would impact Mattel’s net sales by approximately 0.5% and its full year earnings per share by approximately $0.01 to $0.02.

 

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Risks Associated with Venezuelan Operations

Mattel’s pricing decisions in Venezuela are intended to mitigate the risks of government imposed currency controls and significant inflation by aligning Mattel’s prices with its expectations of the local currency cost of acquiring inventory in US dollars and distributing earnings. Mattel applies to the Venezuelan government’s Foreign Exchange Administrative Commission, CADIVI, for the conversion of local currency to US dollars at the official exchange rate. However, in recent periods, Mattel has experienced difficulties in obtaining such approvals, and also delays in previously obtained approvals being honored by CADIVI. If previously obtained approvals do not ultimately result in currency conversions at the official exchange rate and Mattel is required to obtain US dollars at the substantially less favorable parallel market rate, Mattel’s financial results and financial position would be negatively impacted.

Mattel uses the official exchange rate to translate the financial statements of its Venezuelan subsidiary, which is consistent with guidance from the Center for Audit Quality SEC Regulations Committee’s International Practices Task Force. The official exchange rate has been fixed at 2.15 Venezuelan bolivar fuertes to the US dollar, despite significant inflation in recent periods. If the parallel market rate is used to translate the financial statements, or if there is a devaluation of the official exchange rate in the future, Mattel’s financial results and financial position would be negatively impacted. Additionally, as a result of escalating inflation in Venezuela during the past few years, it is reasonably possible that Venezuela will be considered to be a highly inflationary economy in the near future. If that occurs, Mattel’s Venezuelan subsidiary will use the US dollar as its functional currency, and local currency monetary assets will be remeasured into US dollars, with remeasurement adjustments and other transaction gains and losses recorded in earnings.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, Mattel’s Venezuelan subsidiary generated less than 3% of Mattel’s consolidated net sales.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of September 30, 2009, Mattel’s disclosure controls and procedures were evaluated to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by Mattel in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to management, as appropriate, in a timely manner that would alert them to material information relating to Mattel that would be required to be included in Mattel’s periodic reports and to provide reasonable assurance that such information was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. Based on this evaluation, Robert A. Eckert, Mattel’s principal executive officer, and Kevin M. Farr, Mattel’s principal financial officer, concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2009.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Mattel made no changes to its internal control over financial reporting or in other factors that materially affected, or were reasonably likely to have materially affected, its internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2009.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

The content of Note 23, “Contingencies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements of Mattel in Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety in this Item 1.

Derivative Litigation

A consolidated stockholder derivative action was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court in California, captioned In re Mattel, Inc. Derivative Litigation, consolidating three derivative actions filed in September 2007 (the “Superior Court Action”), asserting claims ostensibly on behalf and for the benefit of Mattel. A second consolidated derivative action in US District Court, Central District of California, captioned In re Mattel, Inc. Derivative Litigation, consolidating three federal derivative actions filed in October 2007, asserting claims ostensibly on behalf and for the benefit of Mattel, was dismissed with prejudice by the federal court in August 2008. Another derivative action, filed in the Court of Chancery of Delaware in October 2007, has been voluntarily dismissed.

The Superior Court Action alleges that past and present members of Mattel’s Board of Directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with product safety and reporting practices allegedly related to Mattel’s product recalls during August and September 2007. Plaintiffs also sue certain executive officers of Mattel, and allege that certain officers and current and former directors who sold stock during the first half of 2007 breached their fiduciary duties by selling while allegedly in possession of non-public information relating to alleged product defects and seek disgorgement of unspecified amounts of profits from such sales. Defendants filed a demurrer to the entire complaint, which was sustained with leave to amend on December 22, 2008. Plaintiffs filed a First Amended Consolidated Complaint on January 20, 2009 (and a corrected version on February 13, 2009). Defendants filed a demurrer to the amended complaint on March 6, 2009, which the Court sustained without leave to amend. The Court entered an order of dismissal of the action with prejudice on July 7, 2009. Plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal on September 1, 2009.

 

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Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed under Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in Mattel’s 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

During the third quarter of 2009, Mattel did not sell any unregistered securities.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

This table provides certain information with respect to Mattel’s purchases of its common stock during the third quarter of 2009:

 

Period

  Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased
  Average Price Paid
per Share (or Unit)
  Total Number of Shares
(or Units) Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
  Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar Value)
of Shares (or Units) that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs

July 1—31

       

Repurchase program (1)

  —     $ —     —     $                 410,324,916

Employee transactions (2)

  3,362     15.45   N/A     N/A

August 1—31

       

Repurchase program (1)

  —       —     —       410,324,916

Employee transactions (2)

  442,272     17.58   N/A     N/A

September 1—30

       

Repurchase program (1)

  —       —     —       410,324,916

Employee transactions (2)

  4,573     18.02   N/A     N/A
               

Total

       

Repurchase program (1)

  —     $ —     —       410,324,916

Employee transactions (2)

  450,207     17.57   N/A     N/A
               

 

(1) During the third quarter of 2009, Mattel did not repurchase any shares of its common stock in the open market. Repurchases will take place from time to time, depending on market conditions. Mattel’s share repurchase program has no expiration date.
(2) Includes the sale of restricted shares for employee tax withholding obligations that occur upon vesting.

 

N/A Not applicable.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

None.

 

Item 5. Other Information.

None.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Exhibit Description

  10.1*   Form of Grant Agreement for Special Retention Award of Restricted Stock Units under the Mattel, Inc. 2005 Equity Compensation Plan
  12.0*   Computation of Earnings to Fixed Charges
  31.0*   Certification of Principal Executive Officer dated October 28, 2009 pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  31.1*   Certification of Principal Financial Officer dated October 28, 2009 pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32.0**   Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer dated October 28, 2009 pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(1)
101.0**   The following materials from Mattel, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.

 

* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.

 

(1) This exhibit should not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

MATTEL, INC.

Registrant

By:

 

LOGO

  H. Scott Topham
 

Senior Vice President and Corporate

Controller (Duly authorized officer and

chief accounting officer)

Date: October 28, 2009

 

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