MATTEL INC /DE/
8-K, 2000-02-11
DOLLS & STUFFED TOYS
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                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C. 20549


                                  FORM 8-K


               Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       The Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Date of Report:          February 11, 2000



                                MATTEL, INC.
                                ------------
           (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


         Delaware                  001-05647                        95-1567322
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction      (Commission                 (I.R.S. Employer
 of incorporation)                  File No.)              Identification No.)




333 Continental Boulevard, El Segundo, California                   90245-5012
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                            (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code              (310) 252-2000
                                                  ----------------------------

                                   N/A
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

<PAGE>


Item 5.         Other Events
- -------         ------------

                Following the release of earnings on February 3, 2000,
                the Company commented on its fourth quarter and full
                year 1999 results in a conference call.  The following
                are the comments made by Kevin M. Farr, Senior Vice
                President and Corporate Controller, during that call:

                Today we reported earnings per share of 43 cents for full
                year 1999, before nonrecurring charges, which was lower than
                our previous estimate due to continuing issues involving our
                Learning Company software division.  The full year pretax
                loss of $205.5 million at the Learning Company division
                impacted the earnings per share by 36 cents for full year
                1999.  So - in order to better understand Mattel's
                consolidated fourth quarter and full year 1999 results,
                I will separately discuss the performance of Mattel on a
                stand-alone basis and then that of The Learning Company.

                Revenues for the 1999 full year for Mattel stand-alone
                reached $4.7 billion, a 1% decline over the 1998 full year.
                In local currencies revenues were virtually flat with last
                year.  Revenues in the fourth quarter of 1999 for Mattel
                stand-alone were $1.6 billion, a 4% increase over the 1998
                fourth quarter.  Sales in the US were up 13%.  In
                International, sales were down 9% at actual, and 3% at local
                currency.

                Gross margin, for Mattel stand-alone, while strong at 47.8%
                for the full year, were 1.6% points lower than last year.
                Fourth quarter gross margin reached 48.5%, a 2.2% decrease
                compared to last year's quarter.  The decrease for the year
                and quarter was principally due to the mix of our business,
                higher ocean freight costs and slightly higher product costs
                due to strengthening currencies in countries where we
                manufacture.

                Advertising, as a percentage of net sales for the full year
                was 15.4% of net sales, which was slightly lower than our
                expected full year advertising and promotion rate of 15.5%
                for Mattel on a stand-alone basis - a significant decrease
                from the 17.0% rate for full year 1998.  Advertising , as a
                percentage of net sales for the 1999 fourth quarter was
                19.1%, a decrease of 3.7% over the 1998 quarter.

                Selling, general and administrative expenses for Mattel
                stand-alone, on a full year basis, increased slightly to
                18.9% of net sales.  In the fourth quarter, selling, general
                and administrative costs declined over 6% to 16.9% of net
                sales, reflecting the favorable impact resulting from the
                restructuring efforts.

                Operating profit before goodwill amortization for Mattel, on
                a stand-alone basis, was 13.6% for the full year 1999
                compared to 13.8% last year.  For the fourth quarter,
                operating profit before amortization reached 12.9%, a 3.6%
                increase over last years 9.3%.

                Turning to The Learning Company, revenue was down 40% to
                $165 million, compared to the fourth quarter last year,
                primarily resulting from lower CD ROM sales at retail and
                unfavorable product pricing.  On a full year basis, The
                Learning Company's revenues decreased by 8% to $771 million
                for the same factors previously mentioned.  As a result,
                gross margin decreased to 43% of net sales for the full
                year.

                In addition, advertising expenses increased during 1999 to
                27.7% of net sales, up from 12.4% in 1998 due to increased
                customer rebates.

                Increased bad debt reserves of $56 million, primarily
                involving one major distributor, also contributed to the
                operating loss for the year.  As a result, operating loss
                before amortization of intangibles was $166 million for full
                year 1999 compared to a profit of $202 million in the 1998
                year.

                On a Mattel and Learning Company combined basis, other
                income in the fourth quarter 1999 decreased by approximately
                $6 million, mainly due to lower interest income resulting
                from lower cash balances at The Learning Company.

                On a consolidated basis, amortization of intangibles totaled
                $92 million relating primarily to the 1998 acquisitions of
                Pleasant Company and Mindscape.

                Consolidated interest expense increased by approximately $23
                million for the year, primarily due to the funding of The
                Learning Company's cash requirements.

                Our full year tax rate for 1999, before charges, was 22.6%,
                which was 2.1% lower than our tax rate of 24.7% for the
                first nine months.  The decrease in the 1999 full year
                worldwide effective income tax rate was attributable to
                domestic losses incurred by The Learning Company, which
                result in tax benefits at a rate higher than Mattel's
                worldwide effective income tax rate.  We expect that the
                income tax rate for year 2000 will be 27.6%, our previously
                projected rate for 1999.

                Turning to the balance sheet, cash decreased approximately
                $194 million compared to year end 1998, primarily due to
                payment of restructuring and integration costs and repayment
                of Learning Company's short-term debt.

                Receivables of $1.27 billion were approximately $120 million
                higher than year end 1998, principally related to the
                cancellation of The Learning Company's $100 million
                factoring facility.

                Inventories were down by approximately $100 million with
                days supply outstanding improving by 25 days to 100 days.
                Excluding The Learning Company, inventories at Mattel were
                actually down by over $130 million due to tight inventory
                management, with days supply outstanding improving by 34
                days on a stand-alone basis.

                Prepaid expenses decreased approximately $41 million,
                primarily due to the reclassification of certain deferred
                income tax assets related to operating losses to non-current
                assets, partially offset by higher prepaid royalties and
                development costs.

                Other non-current assets increased by approximately $208
                million, mainly due to increased non-current deferred tax
                assets related to operating losses, partially offset by
                amortization of goodwill.

                Short-term borrowings were up approximately $170 million,
                primarily due to the funding of The Learning Company's cash
                requirements.


                Note:

                Forward-looking statements with respect to the financial
                condition, results of operations and business of the company,
                which include, but are not limited to sales levels,
                restructuring and integration charges, special charges,
                other non-recurring charges, cost savings, operating
                efficiencies and profitability, are subject to certain risks
                and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
                materially from those set forth in such statements.  These
                include without limitation: the company's dependence on the
                timely development, introduction and customer acceptance of
                new products; significant changes in buying patterns of major
                customers; possible weaknesses of international markets; the
                impact of competition on revenues and margins; the company's
                ability to successfully integrate the operations of
                The Learning Company following its merger into the company;
                the effect of currency fluctuations on reportable income;
                unanticipated negative results of litigation, governmental
                proceedings or environmental matters; and other risks and
                uncertainties as may be detailed from time to time in the
                company's public announcements and SEC filings.


                Mattel, Inc. also hereby incorporates by reference herein
                its press release dated February 3, 2000 regarding
                management changes and its fourth quarter and full year
                1999 earnings, a copy of which is included as Exhibit
                99.0 attached hereto.


<PAGE>


Item 7.         Financial Statements and Exhibits
- -------         ---------------------------------

        (a)     Financial statements of businesses acquired:  None

        (b)     Pro Forma financial information:  None

        (c)     Exhibits:

                99.0  Press release dated February 3, 2000





                               SIGNATURES
                               ----------

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


                                              MATTEL, INC.
                                              Registrant

                                              By: /s/ Christopher O'Brien
                                                  -------------------------
                                                  Christopher O'Brien
                                                  Assistant General Counsel
                                                  and Assistant Secretary
        Date: February 11, 2000
        -----------------------

<PAGE>


                                                               EXHIBIT 99.0



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   CONTACT: Mattel, Inc.
February 3, 2000                      News Media       Investor Relations
                                      Glenn Bozarth    Jessica Fisher
                                      310-252-3521     310-252-2703


              -- Mattel Reports 1999 Results --

- - Full-Year EPS of $0.43 per share, before one-time charges,
 includes $206 million pretax loss from The Learning Company
                              -

      - Core brands report strong sales and earnings -

    -Jill Barad resigns; outside directors assume interim
     chairman and chief executive officer roles pending
       results of Korn/Ferry International search for
  replacement; committee of key executives to oversee day-
                    to-day operations  -


LOS ANGELES, February 3, 2000 - Mattel, Inc. (NYSE: MAT)
today announced 1999 earnings of $182.1 million, or $0.43
per share, before one-time charges, and net sales of $5.5
billion. For the fourth quarter, the company reported net
loss of $18.4 million, or $0.04 per share, and net sales of
$1.8 billion. In addition, Jill E. Barad resigned as
chairman and chief executive officer of the company,
effective today.

Continuing issues involving The Learning Company depressed
Mattel's results in the quarter and the year. A slowdown in
CD-Rom sales, leading to inventory problems and discounting,
led to a fourth quarter pre-tax loss of $183 million for The
Learning Company. For the year, The Learning Company
represented a pretax loss, before restructuring charges, of
$206 million.

Ms. Barad stated, "The continued problems at The Learning
Company are at the root of our disappointing overall
performance. Unfortunately, this distracts from the very
real gains achieved in our core brands."

Ms. Barad continued, "Fisher-Price, Barbie and Mattel
Entertainment's performances in the fourth quarter validate
our strategy of consolidating leading brand positions by
offering an improved product mix, a streamlined brand
management structure, and enhanced competitiveness."

"The Board of Directors and I view the performance of The
Learning Company, and its effect on our results, as
unacceptable. Therefore, the Board and I have agreed that
today I resign from the positions of chairman and chief
executive officer of Mattel and as a member of the company's
Board."

With Ms. Barad's resignation, the company's Board has taken
charge of the company to oversee operations and coordinate
the search for a new chief executive officer. The Board has
appointed directors William D. Rollnick acting chairman and
Ronald M. Loeb acting chief executive officer. They in turn
will work closely with the Board's executive committee who,
in addition to them, include John L. Vogelstein, chairman,
and Tully M. Friedman.

The company's day-to-day operations will be managed by a
newly formed Office of the Chief Operating Officer,
comprised of key executives currently in charge of Mattel's
major brands: Adrienne Fontanella, president of Barbie and
Girls products; Matt Bousquette, president of Boys and
Entertainment; Neil Friedman, president of Infant and
Preschool; Bernard Stolar, who was recently named president
of Mattel Interactive; and Pleasant Rowland, founder and
chief executive officer of Pleasant Company. The Office of
the Chief Operating Officer will report to Mr. Loeb.

Further, Mattel announced that Richard Ferry of Korn/Ferry
International is actively conducting a search for a new
chief executive officer.

Mr. Loeb said "On behalf of everyone at Mattel, including
the Board, we thank Jill for over twenty years of service
with the company. We want to focus on this company's
enormous strengths. We have a healthy core business,
excellent customer relations, and a cadre of proven senior
management who will, with the Board, guide Mattel forward.
We are confident that our search for a world-class chief
executive will be successfully concluded quickly."

Fourth Quarter Highlights:
- -------------------------
Fourth quarter results for Mattel's core brands represent an
endorsement of the strategy that the company implemented. In
total, U.S. shipping for Mattel's products increased 13%.
Operating margins for the fourth quarter improved by 400
basis points for Mattel stand-alone, and were virtually flat
for the year at 13.6%, compared with 13.8% the previous
year, before amortization.

U.S. sales of Barbie rose by 11% for the quarter, with a 90%
sell through. Mattel Entertainment capitalized on the
success of the sequel to "Toy Story" to grow sales in excess
of 70%. U.S. Fisher-Price enjoyed a 48% rise in sales.
Despite major competition for Wheels from Pokemon in the
fourth quarter, the franchise capitalized on its
international strength to increase international sales by
20%. Total worldwide Wheels sales were up 6% for the year.

Other international results suffered from industry-wide
trends, especially the shift amongst European retailers to
just-in-time inventory management. Results for the region
closely mirrored the company's U.S. performance in 1998,
when domestic retailers implemented the same system. In the
fourth quarter, international sales declined by 8%, and 3%
before the impact of exchange.

Turning to The Learning Company, revenue was down 40% to
$165 million, compared to the fourth quarter last year,
primarily resulting from slower CD-Rom sales at retail and
unfavorable pricing in the quarter.

The 1999 full-year net results include charges totaling $265
million after tax relating to integration, restructuring and
other non-recurring costs. Net results for 1998 included
after-tax charges totaling $163 million.

Under Mr. Stolar, a comprehensive review of Mattel
Interactive is underway to identify substantial
opportunities to improve operating productivity and realize
cost savings. The company said that, following the review,
the company will undertake a restructuring program and take
a substantial restructuring charge in the first quarter, of
between $75 million and $100 million before tax.

Mattel, Inc. is a worldwide leader in the design,
manufacture and marketing of family products. With
headquarters in El Segundo, California, Mattel has offices
and facilities in 36 foreign countries and sells its
products in more than 150 nations throughout the world.



Note:
Forward-looking statements included in this release with
respect to the financial condition, results of operations and
business of the company, which include, but are not limited to
sales levels, restructuring and integration charges, special
charges, other non-recurring charges, cost savings and operating
efficiencies and profitability, are subject to certain risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
from those set forth in such statements.  These include without
limitation: the company's dependence on the timely development,
introduction and customer acceptance of new products;
significant changes in buying patterns of major customers;
possible weaknesses of international markets; the impact of
competition on revenues and margins; the company's ability to
successfully integrate the operations of The Learning Company
following its merger into the company; the effect of currency
fluctuations on reportable income; unanticipated negative
results of litigation, governmental proceedings or
environmental matters; and other risks and uncertainties as
may be detailed from time to time in the Company's public
announcements and SEC filings.

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
                                        MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

<CAPTION>
                                                           FOR THE                       FOR THE
                                                      THREE MONTHS ENDED               YEAR ENDED
                                                  -------------------------     -------------------------
                                                    Dec. 31,      Dec. 31,        Dec. 31,       Dec. 31,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)              1999        1998 (a)         1999          1998 (a)
- ----------------------------------------          -----------   -----------     ----------      ---------
<S>                                               <C>           <C>             <C>            <C>
Net Sales                                         $ 1,770,590   $ 1,818,355     $5,514,950     $5,621,207
  Cost of sales                                       987,834       850,270      2,913,910      2,707,904
                                                  -----------    ----------     ----------     ----------
Gross Profit                                          782,756       968,085      2,601,040      2,913,303

  Advertising and promotion expenses                  396,285       381,734        945,955        917,665
  Other selling and administrative expenses           354,353       361,248      1,190,915      1,144,801
  Charge for incomplete technology (b)                      -             -              -         56,826
  Restructuring and other (credits) charges (c)        (2,893)       24,109        345,996        157,314
  Other income, net                                    (5,694)      (11,893)       (14,539)       (13,092)
                                                  -----------    ----------     ----------     ----------
Operating Profit Before Amortization                   40,705       212,887        132,713        649,789
  Amortization of intangibles                          26,654        26,324         91,847        129,689
                                                  -----------    ----------     ----------     ----------
Operating Profit                                       14,051       186,563         40,866        520,100
  Interest expense                                     49,146        44,859        151,609        128,468
                                                  -----------    ----------     ----------     ----------
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes                     (35,095)      141,704       (110,743)       391,632
  (Benefit) provision for income taxes                (16,674)       53,006        (28,370)       185,579
                                                  -----------    ----------     ----------     ----------
Net Income (Loss)                                     (18,421)       88,698        (82,373)       206,053
  Less: dividends on convertible preferred stock            -         1,990          3,980          7,960
                                                  -----------    ----------     ----------     ----------
Net Income (Loss) Applicable to Common Shares     $   (18,421)   $   86,708     $  (86,353)    $  198,093
                                                  ===========    ==========     ==========     ==========

   Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Basic (c)(d)     $     (0.04)   $     0.22     $    (0.21)    $     0.51
                                                  ===========    ==========     ==========     ==========

Average Number of Common Shares
  Outstanding - Basic (d)                             425,680       397,237        414,186        390,210
                                                  ===========    ==========     ==========     ==========

   Net Income (Loss) Per Share - Diluted (c)(d)   $     (0.04)   $     0.20     $    (0.21)    $     0.47
                                                  ===========    ==========     ==========     ==========

Average Number of Common and Common
  Equivalent Shares Outstanding - Diluted (d)         425,680       424,296        414,186        421,707
                                                  ===========    ==========     ==========     ==========

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
                                 MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


<CAPTION>
                                                    Dec. 31,       Dec. 31,
(In thousands)                                        1999         1998 (a)
- --------------                                    -----------    -----------
ASSETS
<S>                                               <C>            <C>
  Cash                                            $   275,024    $   469,213
  Accounts receivable, net                          1,270,005      1,150,051
  Inventories                                         544,296        644,270
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets           330,702        371,772
                                                  -----------    -----------
    Total current assets                            2,420,027      2,635,306

  Property, plant and equipment, net                  749,494        763,121
  Other assets                                      1,957,501      1,748,958
                                                  -----------    -----------
    Total Assets                                  $ 5,127,022    $ 5,147,385
                                                  ===========    ===========


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<S>                                               <C>            <C>
  Short-term borrowings                           $   369,549    $   199,006
  Current portion of long-term liabilities              3,173         33,666
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities          1,186,483      1,111,304
  Income taxes payable                                258,319        299,058
                                                  -----------    -----------
    Total current liabilities                       1,817,524      1,643,034

  Senior notes                                        600,955        600,955
  Medium-term notes                                   540,500        540,500
  Long-term debt                                       42,380         43,007
  Other long-term liabilities                         162,976        149,086
  Stockholders' equity                              1,962,687      2,170,803
                                                  -----------    -----------
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity    $ 5,127,022    $ 5,147,385
                                                  ===========    ===========

<FN>
(a) Consolidated results are restated for the May 1999 merger with The Learning Company.
(b) Represents nonrecurring charges of $265 million and $163 million, net of taxes,
    for integration, restructuring and other charges for the years ended December 1999
    and 1998, respectively.  The nonrecurring credit for the fourth quarter of 1999
    represents net adjustments made to the restructuring and nonrecurring charges
    recorded in the second quarter of 1999.  Charges for the fourth quarter of 1998
    represent restructuring and other nonrecurring charges of $16 million, net of taxes.
(c) Loss per share for the 1999 quarter was not materially impacted by the nonrecurring
    credit.  Income per share for the 1998 quarter, before the $0.04 per share effect
    of the nonrecurring charges, was $0.24 per share.  Income per share for the year
    ended December 1999, before the $0.64 per share effect of the nonrecurring charges,
    was $0.43 per share.  Income per share for the year ended December 1998, before
    the $0.39 per share effect of the nonrecurring charges, was $0.86 per share.
(d) Share and per share data for all periods presented reflect the retroactive effect
    of shares issued pursuant to the merger with The Learning Company.

<PAGE>
</TABLE>


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