Mattel Inc Stock Price, News & Analysis

Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT) and Nex have launched Barbie Dance Party, a new interactive dance game exclusively available on the Nex Playground console. The game allows up to four players to dance alongside Barbie characters to popular songs from artists like Dua Lipa and Charli XCX.

The game launches with four songs, with additional song packs and custom dance routines planned for release every 2-3 months throughout the next year. Suitable for ages 5 and up, it joins Nex Playground's growing library of family-friendly games, alongside content from partners including Hasbro, Sesame Workshop, and Paramount.

The game is available through major retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart, both online and in select stores nationwide.

Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT) announced its participation in the Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference. Chairman and CEO Ynon Kreiz and CFO Anthony DiSilvestro will engage in a fireside chat on December 4, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern time. The event will be accessible via webcast on Mattel's Investor Relations website. Interested parties should log in 15 minutes early to complete necessary technical setup. An archived version of the webcast will be made available shortly after the live event concludes.

Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT) announced the winner of the 2024 Hot Wheels Legends Tour, the world's largest traveling car show. The winning vehicle, 'La Liebre', a custom race car from Chile, will be transformed into a 1:64 scale Hot Wheels die-cast car and inducted into the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends. The vehicle, built on a modified Ford Falcon chassis, features a 600-horsepower Chevrolet 350 motor and weighs under 2,000 pounds. The tour evaluated over 5,000 vehicles from 13 countries, including new stops in Colombia and UAE. La Liebre was chosen for its impressive build and role in growing Chile's car community.

Mattel (MAT) reported Q3 2024 financial results with Net Sales of $1,844 million, down 4% year-over-year. Despite lower sales, the company achieved improved profitability with Gross Margin expanding to 53.1%, up 210 basis points. Operating Income increased to $488 million, while Earnings per Share rose significantly to $1.09 from $0.41. Hot Wheels showed strong performance with increased sales, while Barbie sales declined. The company updated its 2024 guidance, now expecting full-year Net Sales to be comparable to slightly down, while maintaining its Adjusted EBITDA target of $975-$1,025 million and Adjusted EPS guidance of $1.35-$1.45.

Mattel, Inc. (Nasdaq: MAT) and GameMill Entertainment have launched Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Stunt Mayhem on multiple gaming platforms. Developed by 3D Clouds, the game allows players to control popular Hot Wheels Monster Trucks like Bone Shaker™, Tiger Shark, Race Ace™, and Bigfoot™ in various game modes. The game features solo play and local multiplayer options, allowing players to perform stunts, take on bosses, and compete in arena showdowns.

The Standard Edition is available for $39.99, while the Deluxe Edition, priced at $49.99, includes additional DLC content. Mattel's Head of Business Development for Digital Gaming, Erika Winterholler, emphasized the game's alignment with Hot Wheels' competitive spirit and challenger ethos. The launch reinforces Hot Wheels' position as the number one selling toy in the US in 2023 based on units, according to Circana data.

Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) is developing a live-action feature film based on its iconic View-Master toy, in collaboration with Sony Pictures Entertainment and Escape Artists. The View-Master, a stereoscopic viewing device introduced in 1939, has been a popular childhood staple for generations, offering 3-D image reels that take viewers on imaginative adventures around the world.

Robbie Brenner, President of Mattel Films, expressed excitement about the project, highlighting the toy's storytelling potential. Todd Black, Producer for Escape Artists, emphasized View-Master's legacy of sparking imagination and their aim to create a new adventure for today's audience.

This project is part of Mattel Films' vision to produce quality movies based on its iconic brands. The company is also collaborating with Escape Artists on an upcoming Masters of the Universe live-action feature film.

Mattel's Hot Wheels brand has launched a new platform called 'Challenge Accepted' aimed at fostering a growth mindset in children. The initiative is based on research conducted with Mindset Works, which found that 77% of children aged 4-8 believe they can learn anything with effort. However, 71% of parents reported intervening when their children face challenges, potentially hindering growth mindset development.

As part of this initiative, Hot Wheels is introducing the Hot Wheels Challenger Spirit Fund. The fund's inaugural partner is Mission 44, a charity founded by Formula One champion Sir Lewis Hamilton. The partnership will be showcased at a STEM event during the 2024 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.

The 'Challenge Accepted' platform aims to empower children through play, encouraging them to try, fail, repeat, and grow. Research showed that children who frequently play with Hot Wheels toys are 32% more likely to embrace new challenges.

Mattel Television Studios has unveiled the official trailer and theme song for Barney's World, a new animated series premiering on October 14 on Max and October 18 on Cartoon Network. The show, a fresh take on the iconic purple dinosaur, will also launch on Cartoonito in EMEA and APAC, Discovery Kids in LATAM, and Treehouse and STACKTV in Canada. The first episode will debut early on Barney's YouTube channel on October 11.

The updated theme song pays homage to the original while featuring new lyrics. Each episode of Barney's World aims to teach children lessons about self-love and friendship. Josh Silverman, Chief Franchise Officer at Mattel, expressed excitement about sharing a modernized Barney with a new generation, emphasizing the show's focus on empowering future generations.

Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) has promoted Roberto Stanichi to Executive Vice President, Hot Wheels & Head of Vehicles and Building Sets. Stanichi, who reports to Lisa McKnight, Executive Vice President and Chief Brand Officer, has been instrumental in growing Mattel's Vehicles category and Hot Wheels, the #1 selling toy globally. Under his leadership, Hot Wheels is on track for its seventh consecutive record year in 2024.

Stanichi's strategic approach has established Hot Wheels as an iconic automotive franchise for both kids and adults through product, content, digital gaming, and live experiences. He has led the Vehicles category to reach over $1.6B in gross billings for Mattel. In his expanded role, Stanichi will also oversee the Thomas and Friends franchise and the Building Sets category, led by MEGA.