10-K 1 d813832d10k.htm 10-K 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

 

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014

or

 

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

For the transition period from                     to                         

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)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $1.00 par value

  The NASDAQ Global Select Market

 

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

NONE

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.  Yes  ¨    No  x

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 Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulations 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment of this Form 10-K.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See 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 registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes  ¨    No  x

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $13,157,986,680 based upon the closing market price as of the close of business June 30, 2014, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

Number of shares outstanding of registrant’s common stock, $1.00 par value, as of February 13, 2015:

338,254,021 shares

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Mattel, Inc. Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and 2015 Proxy Statement, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) within 120 days after the close of the registrant’s fiscal year (incorporated into Part III).

 

 

 


Table of Contents

MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

         Page  
  PART I   

Item 1.

  Business      3   

Item 1A.

  Risk Factors      13   

Item 1B.

  Unresolved Staff Comments      22   

Item 2.

  Properties      22   

Item 3.

  Legal Proceedings      23   

Item 4.

  Mine Safety Disclosures      23   
  PART II   

Item 5.

  Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities      24   

Item 6.

  Selected Financial Data      27   

Item 7.

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      28   

Item 7A.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      54   

Item 8.

  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data      58   

Item 9.

  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure      109   

Item 9A.

  Controls and Procedures      109   

Item 9B.

  Other Information      109   
  PART III   

Item 10.

  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance      110   

Item 11.

  Executive Compensation      110   

Item 12.

  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters      110   

Item 13.

  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence      110   

Item 14.

  Principal Accountant Fees and Services      110   
  PART IV   

Item 15.

  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules      111   
  Signature      118   

 

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PART I

 

Item 1. Business.

Throughout this report “Mattel” refers to Mattel, Inc. and/or one or more of its family of companies. Mattel designs, manufactures, and markets a broad variety of toy products worldwide which are sold to its customers and directly to consumers. Mattel’s vision is “creating the future of play.” Mattel’s objectives are to grow its share in the marketplace, continue to improve its operating margins, and create long-term stockholder value. To achieve these objectives, management has established the following strategies:

The first strategy is to deliver consistent growth by investing in its core brands, optimizing entertainment partnerships, building new franchises, and working to expand and leverage its international footprint.

The second strategy is to optimize operating margins through sustaining gross margins of about 50% over the long-term, and delivering on cost savings initiatives.

The third strategy is to generate significant cash flow and continue its disciplined, opportunistic, and value-enhancing deployment.

Mattel believes its products are among the most widely recognized toy products in the world. Mattel’s portfolio of brands and products are grouped into four major brand categories, including the Construction and Arts & Crafts brand category, which was introduced in the second quarter of 2014 with the acquisition of MEGA Brands Inc. (“MEGA Brands”).

Mattel Girls & Boys Brands—including Barbie® fashion dolls and accessories (“Barbie”), Monster High®, Disney Classics®, Ever After High®, Little Mommy®, and Polly Pocket® (collectively “Other Girls”), Hot Wheels® and Matchbox® vehicles and play sets (collectively “Wheels”), and CARS®, Disney Planes™, BOOMco™, Radica®, Toy Story®, Max Steel®, WWE® Wrestling, Batman®, and games and puzzles (collectively “Entertainment”).

Fisher-Price Brands—including Fisher-Price®, Little People®, BabyGear™, Laugh & Learn®, and Imaginext® (collectively “Core Fisher-Price”), Thomas & Friends™, Dora the Explorer®, Mickey Mouse® Clubhouse, and Disney Jake and the Never Land Pirates® (collectively “Fisher-Price Friends”), and Power Wheels®.

American Girl Brands—including My American Girl®, BeForever™, and Bitty Baby®. American Girl Brands products are sold directly to consumers via its catalog, website, and proprietary retail stores. Its children’s publications are also sold to certain retailers.

Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands—including MEGA BLOKS®, RoseArt®, and Board Dudes®.

Mattel, Inc. was incorporated in California in 1948 and reincorporated in Delaware in 1968. Its executive offices are located at 333 Continental Blvd., El Segundo, California 90245-5012, telephone number (310) 252-2000.

Business Segments

Mattel’s operating segments are separately managed business units, consisting of: (i) North America, which consists of the US and Canada, (ii) International, and (iii) American Girl. The North America and International segments sell products in the Mattel Girls & Boys Brands, Fisher-Price Brands, and Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands categories, although some products are developed and adapted for particular international markets.

For additional information on Mattel’s segment reporting, including revenues and segment income, see Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations” and Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 12 to the Consolidated

 

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Financial Statements—Segment Information.” For additional information regarding segment assets and geographic areas, see Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Segment Information.” For additional information regarding revenues by brand category, see Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Segment Information.”

For a discussion of the risks inherent in the foreign operations of Mattel, which affect each segment, see Item 1A “Risk Factors.”

North America Segment

The North America segment markets and sells toys in the US and Canada through the Mattel Girls & Boys Brands, Fisher-Price Brands, and Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands categories.

In the Mattel Girls & Boys Brands category, Barbie includes Barbie fashion dolls and accessories. Other Girls includes Monster High, Disney Classics, Ever After High, Little Mommy, and Polly Pocket. Wheels includes Hot Wheels and Matchbox vehicles and play sets. Entertainment includes CARS, Disney Planes, BOOMco, Radica, Toy Story, Max Steel, WWE Wrestling, Batman, as well as games and puzzles.

In 2015, Barbie will continue to inspire girls and remind them that “anything is possible.” The global campaign will be supported by innovative products, events, and strategic partnerships. In addition, Barbie will feature new products to support two animated launches, Barbie in Princess Power™ in spring 2015 and Barbie in Rock N’ Royals in fall 2015. Barbie will also continue to encourage girls to explore fashion through a new line of Fashionista dolls that reflect styles they see in the classrooms. Monster High will celebrate its fifth year with new characters, new scale, and new entertainment. A new Monster High DVD will be released in spring 2015 entitled Haunted and a second DVD, Boo York, Boo York: A Monsterrific Musical!, will be released in fall 2015. Monster High will introduce new larger scale dolls and vinyl figures in order to engage girls in a new way. Ever After High will continue to feature creative storylines and original characters in 2015. Ever After High will deliver new content through a Netflix original movie and Netflix original series and will also extend storylines through five new books by acclaimed author Susan Selfors. Ever After High will also offer new Royal and Rebel core doll extensions. New product extensions of Disney Princess® Frozen™ will accompany new short-form content with a new look for Anna and Elsa. In addition, timed to the release of Cinderella, there will be a targeted marketing strategy to engage consumers.

In 2015, Hot Wheels will enable children to create and discover new play experiences through new vehicles and track sets, as well as immersive gaming and storytelling. Hot Wheels will continue to allow children to design, create, and customize their track creation by connecting existing tracks with new track pieces using the Track Builder™ System. In addition, Hot Wheels and Star Wars™ have come together for the first time to provide unique vehicle experiences for fans of all ages with both Star Wars-inspired cars and authentic replica vehicles. The Entertainment business will include new and innovative products based on CARS, Disney Planes, and Toy Story, as well as products to support Warner Bros.’ new animated series Batman Unlimited. WWE Wrestling will launch a new customizable line, Create A WWE Superstar, allowing kids to recreate their favorite moments in the ring. For games and puzzles, Mattel will continue offering products of its existing Bounce-off™, UNO®, and Pictionary® games, as well as celebrate Apples to Apples®’ 15th anniversary. In 2015, BOOMco will introduce high-performance functionality and new innovations engineered for the blaster-field.

The Fisher-Price Brands category includes Fisher-Price, Little People, BabyGear, Laugh & Learn, Imaginext, Thomas & Friends, Dora the Explorer, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Disney Jake and the Never Land Pirates, and Power Wheels.

Fisher-Price will introduce new innovative products for its BabyGear and core toy lines in 2015, including the Smart Connect™ Swing and Smart Connect Projection Mobile that will allow parents to control the products remotely without having to disturb their babies using Bluetooth technology. Supporting the Laugh & Learn infant

 

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line, Fisher-Price will introduce BeatBo, a new character that will get babies singing, dancing, and moving along. Also in 2015, Thomas & Friends will celebrate 70 years of friendship with a year’s worth of great products and programming. In summer 2015, the first permanent US theme park for Thomas & Friends, located at Edaville USA, will open to the public. Thomas & Friends will continue to be supported with new products, including Turbo Flip Thomas™ and Trackmaster® Shipwreck.

The Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands category includes MEGA BLOKS, RoseArt, and Board Dudes.

MEGA BLOKS will celebrate 30 years of construction in 2015 and will continue to expand its Preschool, Kids, and Collectors portfolios of building sets. MEGA BLOKS’ junior construction line will partner with Fisher-Price to offer Fisher-Price endorsed First Builders products. In honor of this year’s Thomas & Friends DVD release, Sodor’s Legend of the Lost Treasure, MEGA BLOKS will introduce a range of buildable Thomas construction sets that include motorized features. For boys, the brand will feature new MEGA BLOKS SpongeBob SquarePants™ and Despicable Me™ sets, each based on the franchises’ 2015 movie releases, The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water and Minions. For girls, the brand will introduce a line of build & display Monster High sets with secret reveals, electronic features, and fully articulated mini-monster figures. The MEGA BLOKS Collectors portfolio will bring highly detailed builds, product features, and micro action figures based on the highly anticipated 2015 releases of Halo®, Call of Duty®, and Assassin’s Creed™ video games. New to the Collectors portfolio this year is the launch of MEGA BLOKS Terminator Genisys construction sets with all-new characters, vehicles, and locations.

International Segment

Products marketed by the International segment are generally the same as those developed and marketed by the North America segment, although some are developed or adapted for particular international markets. Mattel’s products are sold directly to retailers and wholesalers in most European, Latin American, and Asian countries, and in Australia and New Zealand, and through agents and distributors in those countries where Mattel has no direct presence.

Mattel’s International segment revenue represented 46% of worldwide consolidated gross sales in 2014. Within the International segment, Mattel operates in three regional groups that generated the following gross sales during 2014:

 

     Amount      Percentage of
International
Gross Sales
 
     (In millions, except
percentage information)
 

Europe

   $ 1,687.1         55

Latin America

     909.4         30

Asia Pacific

     465.0         15
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 3,061.5         100
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

No individual country within the International segment exceeded 6% of worldwide consolidated gross sales during 2014.

The strength of the US dollar relative to other currencies can significantly affect the revenues and profitability of Mattel’s international operations. Mattel enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts, primarily to hedge its purchase and sale of inventory and other intercompany transactions denominated in foreign currencies, to limit the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on its results of operations and cash flows. See Part II, Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Derivative

 

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Instruments.” For financial information by geographic area, see Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Segment Information.”

American Girl Segment

The American Girl segment is a direct marketer, children’s publisher, and retailer best known for its flagship line of historical dolls, books, and accessories, as well as the My American Girl and Bitty Baby brands. American Girl also publishes best-selling Advice & Activity books and the award-winning American Girl magazine. In January 2015, American Girl introduced Grace Thomas™, the 2015 Girl of the Year® doll. American Girl products are sold in the US and Canada. Beginning in summer 2015, American Girl products will also be sold in Mexico.

Manufacturing and Materials

Mattel manufactures toy products for all segments in both company-owned facilities and through third-party manufacturers. Products are also purchased from unrelated entities that design, develop, and manufacture those products. To provide greater flexibility in the manufacture and delivery of its products, and as part of a continuing effort to reduce manufacturing costs, Mattel has concentrated production of most of its core products in company-owned facilities and generally uses third-party manufacturers for the production of non-core products.

Mattel’s principal manufacturing facilities are located in Canada, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, and Thailand. To help avoid disruption of its product supply due to political instability, civil unrest, economic instability, changes in government policies or regulations, and other risks, Mattel produces its products in multiple facilities across multiple countries. Mattel believes that the existing production capacity at its own and its third-party manufacturers’ facilities is sufficient to handle expected volume in the foreseeable future. See Item 1A “Risk Factors.”

Mattel bases its production schedules for toy products on customer orders and forecasts, taking into account historical trends, results of market research, and current market information. Actual shipments of products ordered and order cancellation rates are affected by consumer acceptance of product lines, strength of competing products, marketing strategies of retailers, changes in buying patterns of both retailers and consumers, and overall economic conditions. Unexpected changes in these factors could result in a lack of product availability or excess inventory in a particular product line.

The majority of Mattel’s raw materials are available from numerous suppliers but may be subject to fluctuations in price.

Competition and Industry Background

Mattel is a worldwide leader in the manufacture, marketing, and sale of toys. Competition in the toy industry is based primarily on quality, play value, and price. Mattel offers a diverse range of products for children of all ages and families that include, among others, toys for infants and preschoolers, girls’ toys, boys’ toys, youth electronics, hand-held and other games, puzzles, educational toys, media-driven products, and fashion-related toys. The North America segment competes with several large toy companies, including Bandai, Hasbro, Jakks Pacific, Leap Frog, Lego, MGA Entertainment, Spin Master, Tomy, and VTech, many smaller toy companies, and several manufacturers of video games and consumer electronics. The International segment competes with global toy companies including Bandai, Hasbro, Lego, MGA Entertainment, Playmobil, Tomy, and VTech, other national and regional toy companies, and manufacturers of video games and consumer electronics. Foreign regions may include competitors that are strong in a particular toy line or geographical area but do not compete with Mattel or other international toy companies worldwide. The American Girl segment competes with companies that manufacture girls’ toys and with children’s book publishers and retailers.

 

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Competition among the above companies is intensifying due to recent trends towards shorter life cycles for individual toy products and an increasing use of high technology in toys. In addition, as a result of the phenomenon of “children getting older younger” resulting from children outgrowing toys at younger ages, Mattel competes with companies that sell products outside the toy aisle, such as electronic consumer products and video games. Competition continues to be heavily influenced by the fact that a small number of retailers account for a large portion of all toy sales, allocate the shelf space from which toys are viewed, and have direct contact with parents and children through in-store purchases, coupons, and print advertisements. Such retailers can and do promote their own private-label toys, facilitate the sale of competitors’ toys, and allocate shelf space to one type of toy over another. Competition is also intensifying due to the availability of online-only distributors, including Amazon.com, which are able to promote a wide variety of toys and represent a wide variety of toy manufacturers, and, with limited overhead, do so at a lower cost.

Seasonality

Mattel’s business is highly seasonal, with consumers making a large percentage of all toy purchases during the traditional holiday season. A significant portion of Mattel’s customers’ purchasing occurs in the third and fourth quarters of Mattel’s fiscal year in anticipation of holiday buying. These seasonal purchasing patterns and requisite production lead times create risk to Mattel’s business associated with the underproduction of popular toys and the overproduction of less popular toys that do not match consumer demand. Retailers have also been attempting to manage their inventories more tightly in recent years, requiring Mattel to ship products closer to the time the retailers expect to sell the products to consumers. These factors increase the risk that Mattel may not be able to meet demand for certain products at peak demand times or that Mattel’s own inventory levels may be adversely impacted by the need to pre-build products before orders are placed. Additionally, as retailers manage their inventories, Mattel experiences cyclical ordering patterns for products and product lines that may cause its sales to vary significantly from period to period.

In anticipation of retail sales in the traditional holiday season, Mattel significantly increases its production in advance of the peak selling period, resulting in a corresponding build-up of inventory levels in the first three quarters of its fiscal year. Seasonal shipping patterns result in significant peaks in the third and fourth quarters in the respective levels of inventories and accounts receivable, which result in seasonal working capital financing requirements. See Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Seasonal Financing and Debt.”

Product Design and Development

Through its product design and development group, Mattel regularly refreshes, redesigns, and extends existing toy product lines and develops innovative new toy product lines for all segments. Mattel believes its success is dependent on its ability to continue these activities effectively. See Item 1A “Risk Factors.” Product design and development activities are principally conducted by a group of professional designers and engineers employed by Mattel. During 2014, 2013, and 2012, Mattel incurred expenses of $209.5 million, $201.9 million, and $195.1 million, respectively, in connection with the design and development of products, exclusive of royalty payments. See Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Supplemental Financial Information.”

Additionally, independent toy designers and developers bring concepts and products to Mattel and are generally paid a royalty on the net selling price of products licensed to Mattel. These independent toy designers may also create different products for other toy companies.

Advertising and Marketing

Mattel supports its product lines with extensive advertising and consumer promotions. Advertising takes place at varying levels throughout the year and peaks during the traditional holiday season. Advertising includes

 

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television and radio commercials, magazine, newspaper, and internet advertisements, and social media. Promotions include in-store displays, sweepstakes, merchandising materials, and major events focusing on products and tie-ins with various consumer products companies.

During 2014, 2013, and 2012, Mattel incurred expenses of $733.2 million (12.2% of net sales), $750.2 million (11.6% of net sales), and $717.8 million (11.2% of net sales), respectively, for advertising and promotion.

Sales

Mattel’s products are sold throughout the world. Products within the North America segment are sold directly to retailers, including discount and free-standing toy stores, chain stores, department stores, other retail outlets, and, to a limited extent, wholesalers. Mattel also operates several small retail outlets, generally near or at its corporate headquarters and distribution centers as a service to its employees and as an outlet for its products. Products within the International segment are sold directly to retailers and wholesalers in most European, Latin American, and Asian countries, and in Australia and New Zealand, and through agents and distributors in those countries where Mattel has no direct presence. Mattel also has retail outlets in Latin America and Europe that serve as outlets for its products. American Girl products are sold directly to consumers, and its children’s publications are also sold to certain retailers. Mattel has eighteen American Girl retail stores: American Girl Place in Chicago, Illinois, Los Angeles, California, and New York, New York, and American Girl stores in Alpharetta, Georgia, Bloomington, Minnesota, Charlotte, North Carolina, Chesterfield, Missouri, Columbus, Ohio, Dallas, Texas, Houston, Texas, Lone Tree, Colorado, Lynnwood, Washington, McLean, Virginia, Miami, Florida, Natick, Massachusetts, Orlando, Florida, Overland Park, Kansas, and Palo Alto, California, each of which features children’s products from the American Girl segment. American Girl also has a retail outlet in Oshkosh, Wisconsin that serves as an outlet for its products. Mattel also plans to open retail stores in Nashville, Tennessee and Scottsdale, Arizona in 2015. Additionally, Mattel sells certain of its products online through websites of one or more of its subsidiaries.

During 2014, Mattel’s three largest customers (Wal-Mart at $1.1 billion, Toys “R” Us at $0.6 billion, and Target at $0.5 billion) accounted for approximately 35% of worldwide consolidated net sales. Within countries in the International segment, there is also a concentration of sales to certain large customers that do not operate in the US, none of which exceed 10% of net sales. The customers and the degree of concentration vary depending upon the region or nation. See Item 1A “Risk Factors” and Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Segment Information.”

Licenses and Distribution Agreements

Mattel has license agreements with third parties that permit Mattel to utilize the trademark, characters, or inventions of the licensor in products that Mattel sells. A number of these licenses relate to product lines that are significant to Mattel’s business and operations.

Mattel has entered into agreements to license entertainment properties from, among others, Disney Enterprises, Inc. (including ©Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Disney Princess, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Planes, CARS and Toy Story from Pixar, and certain Disney films and television properties), Viacom International, Inc. relating to its Nickelodeon® properties (including Dora the Explorer, and SpongeBob SquarePants), Warner Bros. Consumer Products (including Batman, Superman®, and Justice League®), and WWE Wrestling.

Royalty expense for 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $242.4 million, $246.9 million, and $240.2 million, respectively. See “Commitments” and Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Commitments and Contingencies.”

 

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Mattel’s license agreement with Disney Enterprises, Inc. for the global rights to produce and sell toys based on Disney Princess characters is scheduled to expire at the end of 2015 and will not be renewed.

Mattel also licenses a number of its trademarks and other property rights to others for use in connection with the sale of their products. Mattel distributes some third-party finished products that are independently designed and manufactured.

Trademarks, Copyrights and Patents

Most of Mattel’s products are sold under trademarks, trade names, and copyrights, and a number of these products incorporate patented devices or designs. Trademarks, copyrights, and patents are significant assets of Mattel in that they provide product recognition and acceptance worldwide.

Mattel customarily seeks trademark, copyright, and patent protection covering its products, and it owns or has applications pending for US and foreign trademarks, copyrights, and patents covering many of its products. A number of these trademarks, copyrights, and patents relate to product lines that are significant to Mattel’s business and operations. Mattel believes its rights to these properties are adequately protected, but there can be no assurance that its rights can be successfully asserted in the future or will not be invalidated, circumvented, or challenged.

Commitments

In the normal course of business, Mattel enters into contractual arrangements for future purchases of goods and services to ensure availability and timely delivery and to obtain and protect Mattel’s right to create and market certain products. Certain of these commitments routinely contain provisions for guarantees or minimum expenditures during the term of the contracts. Current and future commitments for guaranteed payments reflect Mattel’s focus on expanding its product lines through alliances with businesses in other industries. Additionally, Mattel routinely enters into noncancelable lease agreements for premises and equipment used in the normal course of business.

Agreements to purchase inventory, services, and other items with terms extending through 2018 contain future minimum payments totaling approximately $387 million. Licensing and similar agreements with terms extending through 2019 and beyond contain provisions for future guaranteed minimum payments totaling approximately $285 million. Operating lease commitments with terms extending through 2019 and beyond contain future minimum obligations totaling approximately $520 million. See Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Commitments” and Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Commitments and Contingencies.”

Backlog

Mattel ships products in accordance with delivery schedules specified by its customers, which usually request delivery within three months. In the toy industry, orders are subject to cancellation or change at any time prior to shipment. In recent years, a trend toward just-in-time inventory practices in the toy industry has resulted in fewer advance orders and therefore less backlog of orders. Mattel believes that the amount of backlog orders at any given time may not accurately indicate future sales.

Financial Instruments

Currency exchange rate fluctuations may impact Mattel’s results of operations and cash flows. Mattel seeks to mitigate its exposure to market risk by monitoring its foreign currency transaction exposure for the year and partially hedging such exposure using foreign currency forward exchange contracts primarily to hedge its

 

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purchase and sale of inventory and other intercompany transactions denominated in foreign currencies. These contracts generally have maturity dates of up to 18 months. 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.

For additional information regarding foreign currency contracts, see “International Segment” above, Part II, Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” and Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Derivative Instruments.”

Seasonal Financing

See Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Seasonal Financing and Debt.”

Government Regulations and Environmental Quality

Mattel’s products sold in the US are subject to the provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Act, as amended by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, and may also be subject to the requirements of the Flammable Fabrics Act or the Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act and the regulations promulgated pursuant to such statutes. These statutes and the related regulations ban from the market consumer products that fail to comply with applicable product safety laws, regulations, and standards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission may require the recall, repurchase, replacement, or repair of any such banned products or products that otherwise create a substantial risk of injury and may seek penalties for regulatory noncompliance under certain circumstances. Similar laws exist in some US states. Mattel believes that it is in substantial compliance with these federal and state laws and regulations.

Mattel’s products sold worldwide are subject to the provisions of similar laws and regulations in many jurisdictions, including the European Union and Canada. Mattel believes that it is in substantial compliance with these laws and regulations.

Mattel maintains a quality control program to help ensure compliance with applicable product safety requirements. Nonetheless, Mattel has experienced, and may in the future experience, issues in products that result in recalls, withdrawals, or replacements of products. A product recall could have a material adverse effect on Mattel’s results of operations and financial condition, depending on the product affected by the recall and the extent of the recall efforts required. A product recall could also negatively affect Mattel’s reputation and the sales of other Mattel products. See Item 1A “Risk Factors.”

Mattel’s advertising is subject to the Federal Trade Commission Act, The Children’s Television Act of 1990, the rules and regulations promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission, and the Federal Communications Commission, as well as laws of certain countries that regulate advertising and advertising to children. In addition, Mattel’s online and other digital communications activity are or may be subject to US and foreign privacy-related regulations, including the US Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 and the EU Data Protection Directive (Directive 95/46/EC) and related national regulations. Mattel believes that it is in substantial compliance with these laws and regulations.

Mattel’s worldwide operations are subject to the requirements of various environmental laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where those operations are located. Mattel believes that it is in substantial compliance with those laws and regulations. Mattel’s operations are from time to time the subject of investigations, conferences, discussions, and negotiations with various federal, state and local environmental agencies within and outside the US with respect to the discharge or cleanup of hazardous waste. Mattel is not aware of any material cleanup liabilities.

 

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Mattel is subject to various other federal, state, local and international laws and regulations applicable to its business. Mattel believes that it is in substantial compliance with these laws and regulations.

Employees

The total number of persons employed by Mattel and its subsidiaries at any one time varies because of the seasonal nature of its manufacturing operations. As of December 31, 2014, Mattel’s total number of employees was approximately 31,000.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

The current executive officers of Mattel, all of whom are appointed annually by and serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, are as follows:

 

Name

   Age   

Position

   Executive
Officer
Since

Christopher A. Sinclair

   64    Chairman of the Board and Interim Chief Executive Officer    2015

Richard Dickson

   47    President, Chief Brands Officer    2014

Kevin M. Farr

   57    Chief Financial Officer    1996

Peter D. Gibbons

   53    Executive Vice President, Chief Supply Chain Officer    2013

Alan Kaye

   61    Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer    2000

Timothy J. Kilpin

   54    President, Chief Commercial Officer    2011

Jean A. McKenzie

   55    Executive Vice President of Mattel and President, American Girl    2013

Robert Normile

   55    Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary    1999

Mandana Sadigh

   55    Senior Vice President and Corporate Treasurer    2010

H. Scott Topham

   54    Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller    2004

Geoffrey H. Walker.

   49    Executive Vice President, Global Brands Team—Fisher-Price    2013

Mr. Sinclair has been Chairman of the Board and Interim Chief Executive Officer since January 2015 and a member of the Board of Directors since 1996. Prior to assuming the role of Chairman of the Board and Interim Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sinclair served as the Independent Lead Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors since 2011. From 2002 to 2008, he served as Executive Chairman of Scandent Holdings, an information technology investment company. From 2005 to 2009, he also served as Executive Chairman of Cambridge Solutions Corporation Ltd., a leader in providing information technology and business process outsourcing services. He also served as a Managing Director of Manticore Partners, LLC, a venture capital advisory firm, from 2000 to 2005, as an Operating Partner of Pegasus Capital Advisors, LP, a private equity firm, from 2000 to 2002 and as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Caribiner International, Inc. from 1999 to 2000. Earlier, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Quality Food, Inc., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pepsi-Cola Company and President and Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo Foods & Beverages International and Pepsi-Cola International for more than five years.

Mr. Dickson has been President, Chief Brands Officer since January 2015. From May 2014 to January 2015, he served as Chief Brands Officer. From February 2010 to May 2014, he served as President and CEO of Branded Businesses at The Jones Group, Inc. From August 2008 to February 2010, he served as General Manager and Senior Vice President of Barbie at Mattel. From 2000 to 2008, he was Senior Vice President at

 

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Mattel overseeing Consumer Products, Marketing, Media, Entertainment and Packaging. Prior to Mattel, he served as Vice President of Brand Management and Merchandising at Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. and was principal with Gloss.com, an e-commerce beauty website he helped develop and manage until its acquisition by Estee Lauder. Mr. Dickson started his career and spent nearly a decade with Bloomingdale’s, a leading US fashion retailer.

Mr. Farr has been Chief Financial Officer since February 2000. From September 1996 to February 2000, he was Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller. From June 1993 to September 1996, he served as Vice President, Tax. Prior to that, he served as Senior Director, Tax from August 1992 to June 1993.

Mr. Gibbons has been Executive Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer since January 2015. From April 2013 to January 2015, he served as Executive Vice President, Global Supply Chain. From July 2008 to November 2012, he served as Executive Vice President, Global Supply Chain Operations at Starbucks Corporation. From February 2007 to July 2008 he served as Senior Vice President, Global Manufacturing Operations, at Starbucks Corporation. From March 1999 to February 2007, he was Executive Vice President, Supply Chain, for the Glidden Company, a subsidiary of ICI Americas, Inc., a global chemical company. Prior to that, he held various roles in operations, finance and engineering with ICI plc in Europe and Latin America and the Scottish Development Agency.

Mr. Kaye has been Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, since February 2011 and from July 1997 to February 2011 he was Senior Vice President, Human Resources. From June 1996 to June 1997 he was President, Texas Division of Kaufman and Broad Homes, a home building company. From June 1991 to June 1996, he served as Senior Vice President, Human Resources for Kaufman and Broad Homes. Prior to that, he worked for two years with the Hay Group, a compensation consulting firm and for 12 years with IBM in various human resources positions.

Mr. Kilpin has been President, Chief Commercial Officer since January 2015. From May 2014 to January 2015, he served as Executive Vice President, International. From February 2011 to May 2014, he served as Executive Vice President, Global Brands Team—Boys & Girls. From February 2010 to February 2011, he served as General Manager and Senior Vice President, Mattel Brands El Segundo. Mr. Kilpin served as General Manager and Senior Vice President for the Girls, Boys and Games groups from November 2008 to February 2010 and for the Boys group from October 2005 to November 2008. Prior to rejoining Mattel as a Senior Vice President, Marketing in 2003, he was Executive Vice President of Studio Franchise Management at The Walt Disney Company. Mr. Kilpin first joined Mattel in August 1984 and until October 1999, held various marketing positions, culminating as Executive Vice President and General Manager of the then Character Brands business unit.

Ms. McKenzie has been President of American Girl since January 2013 and also served as Executive Vice President of Mattel since September 2012. Prior to re-joining Mattel in October 2011 as Senior Vice President, Marketing, she was Senior Vice President for The Walt Disney Company from 2007 to 2010 and President and Chief Executive Officer of Gateway Learning Corporation from 1999 to 2005. From 1989 to 1998, Ms. McKenzie served in various executive positions at Mattel working on the Barbie brand, most recently as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Worldwide Barbie.

Mr. Normile has been Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary since February 2011, and from March 1999 to February 2011 he was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. He served as Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Secretary from August 1994 to March 1999. From June 1992 to August 1994, he served as Assistant General Counsel. Prior to that, he was associated with the law firms of Latham & Watkins LLP and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.

Ms. Sadigh has been Senior Vice President and Corporate Treasurer since November 2010. She served as Senior Vice President, Mattel Brands Finance and Strategy from October 2005 to November 2010. From January 2001 to October 2005, she served as Senior Vice President in various leadership roles, including Corporate

 

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Strategic Planning, Sales Strategy, and International Finance. From December 1999 until January 2001, she served as Vice President and Assistant Controller. Prior to that, she served from August 1991 to December 1999 in Corporate Finance positions. Prior to joining Mattel, Ms. Sadigh spent eight years in the banking industry.

Mr. Topham has been Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller since September 2005. He served as Senior Vice President and Treasurer from March 2005 to August 2005 and as Vice President and Treasurer from March 2004 to March 2005. Prior to that, he served as Vice President and Assistant Controller from May 2001 to March 2004. From August 2000 to May 2001, he served as Vice President and Treasurer of Premier Practice Management, Inc. From June 1999 to August 2000, he served as Division Vice President of Dataworks, Inc., a specialized publishing company. Prior to that, he spent eight years with Total Petroleum (North America) Ltd., most recently as Vice President of Human Resources.

Mr. Walker has been Executive Vice President, Global Brands Teams—Fisher-Price since April 2013. From January 2011 to April 2013, he served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Mattel’s European businesses. From October 2010 through December 2010, he served as Senior Vice President Global Core Brands Marketing Strategy. From August 2008 to October 2010, he served as Senior Vice President Marketing. Mr. Walker held a variety of roles within the Mattel marketing organization from December 2000 to August 2008. Starting with Mattel in July 1995, Mr. Walker has held a variety of brand management positions within the Wheels, Entertainment and Games divisions.

Available Information

Mattel files its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Proxy Statements and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) with the SEC. The public may read and copy any materials that Mattel files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.

Mattel’s Internet website address is http://corporate.mattel.com. Mattel makes available on its Internet website, free of charge, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Proxy Statements and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

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

Mattel is including this Cautionary Statement to make applicable and take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”) for forward-looking statements. This Annual Report on Form 10-K 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K. 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 discussed below. Mattel expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new developments or otherwise.

 

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If Mattel does not successfully identify or satisfy consumer preferences, its results of operations may be adversely affected.

Mattel’s business and operating results depend largely upon the appeal of its toy products. Consumer preferences, particularly with children as the end users of Mattel’s products, are continuously changing. Significant, sudden shifts in demand are caused by “hit” toys and trends, which are often unpredictable. Mattel offers a diverse range of products for children of all ages and families that includes, among others, toys for infants and preschoolers, girls’ toys, boys’ toys, youth electronics, digital media, hand-held and other games, puzzles, educational toys, media-driven products, and fashion-related toys. Mattel competes domestically and internationally with a wide range of large and small manufacturers, marketers and sellers of toys, video games, consumer electronics such as tablets and mobile devices, and other play products, as well as retailers, which means that Mattel’s market position is always at risk. Mattel’s ability to maintain its current product sales, and increase its product sales or establish product sales with new, innovative toys, will depend on Mattel’s ability to satisfy play preferences, enhance existing products, develop and introduce new products, and achieve market acceptance of these products. These challenges are intensifying due to recent trends towards shorter life cycles for individual toy products, the phenomenon of children outgrowing traditional toys at younger ages, and an increasing use of more sophisticated technology in toys. If Mattel does not successfully meet the challenges outlined above in a timely and cost-effective manner, demand for its products could decrease, and Mattel’s revenues, profitability and results of operations may be adversely affected.

High levels of competition and low barriers to entry make it difficult to achieve, maintain, or build upon the success of Mattel’s brands, products, and product lines.

Mattel faces competitors who are also constantly monitoring and attempting to anticipate consumer tastes, seeking ideas which will appeal to consumers and introducing new products that compete with Mattel’s products. In addition, competition for access to entertainment properties could lessen Mattel’s ability to secure, maintain, and renew popular licenses to entertainment products developed by other parties and licensed to Mattel or require Mattel to pay licensors higher royalties and higher minimum guaranteed payments in order to obtain or retain these licenses. In addition, the barriers to entry for new participants in the toy products industry are low. In a very short period of time, new market participants with a popular product idea or entertainment property can become a significant source of competition for Mattel and its products. If demand for Mattel’s brands, products and product lines is reduced as a result of these factors, Mattel’s results of operations may be adversely affected.

Inaccurately anticipating changes and trends in popular culture, media and movies, fashion, or technology can negatively affect Mattel’s sales.

Successful movies and characters in children’s literature affect play preferences, and many toys depend on media-based intellectual property licenses. Media-based licenses can cause a line of toys to gain immediate success among children, parents, or families. Trends in media, movies, and children’s characters change swiftly and contribute to the transience and uncertainty of play preferences. In addition, certain developments in the entertainment industry, including labor strikes, could cause delay or interruption in the release of new movies and television programs and could adversely affect the sales of Mattel’s toys based on such movies and television programs. Mattel responds to such trends and developments by modifying, refreshing, extending, and expanding its product offerings on an annual basis. If Mattel does not accurately anticipate trends in popular culture, movies, media, fashion, or technology, its products may not be accepted by children, parents, or families and Mattel’s revenues, profitability, and results of operations may be adversely affected.

Mattel’s failure to successfully market or advertise its products could have an adverse effect on Mattel’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Mattel’s products are marketed worldwide through a diverse spectrum of advertising and promotional programs. Mattel’s ability to sell products is dependent in part upon the success of these programs. If Mattel does not successfully market its products or if media or other advertising or promotional costs increase, these factors could have an adverse effect on Mattel’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

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Mattel’s business is highly seasonal and its operating results depend, in large part, on sales during the relatively brief traditional holiday season. Any events that disrupt Mattel’s business during its peak demand times could significantly, adversely and disproportionately affect Mattel’s business.

Mattel’s business is subject to risks associated with the underproduction of popular toys and the overproduction of toys that are less popular with consumers. Sales of toy products at retail are highly seasonal, with a majority of retail sales occurring during the period from September through December. In recent years, many consumers have delayed their purchases until just before the holidays. As a result, Mattel’s operating results depend, in large part, on sales during the relatively brief traditional holiday season. Retailers attempt to manage their inventories tightly, which requires Mattel to ship products closer to the time the retailers expect to sell the products to consumers. This in turn results in shorter lead times for production. Management believes that the recent increase in “last minute” shopping during the holiday season and the popularity of gift cards (which often shift purchases to after the holiday season) may negatively impact customer re-orders during the holiday season. These factors may decrease sales or increase the risks that Mattel may not be able to meet demand for certain products at peak demand times or that Mattel’s own inventory levels may be adversely impacted by the need to pre-build products before orders are placed.

In addition, as a result of the seasonal nature of Mattel’s business, Mattel may be significantly and adversely affected, in a manner disproportionate to the impact on a company with sales spread more evenly throughout the year, by unforeseen events, such as terrorist attacks, economic shocks, severe weather, earthquakes or other catastrophic events, that harm the retail environment or consumer buying patterns during its key selling season, or by events, such as strikes, disruptions in transportation or port delays, that interfere with the manufacture or shipment of goods during the critical months leading up to the holiday purchasing season.

Mattel has significant customer concentration, so that economic difficulties or changes in the purchasing policies or patterns of its key customers could have a significant impact on Mattel’s business and operating results.

A small number of customers account for a large share of Mattel’s net sales. In 2014, Mattel’s three largest customers, Wal-Mart, Toys “R” Us, and Target, in the aggregate, accounted for approximately 35% of net sales, and its ten largest customers, in the aggregate, accounted for approximately 45% of net sales. While the concentration of Mattel’s business with a relatively small number of customers may provide certain benefits to Mattel, such as potentially more efficient product distribution and decreased costs of sales and distribution, this concentration may expose Mattel to a material adverse effect if one or more of Mattel’s large customers were to significantly reduce purchases for any reason, favor competitors or new entrants, or increase their direct competition with Mattel by expanding their private-label business. Customers make no binding long-term commitments to Mattel regarding purchase volumes and make all purchases by delivering one-time purchase orders. Any customer could reduce its overall purchases of Mattel’s products, reduce the number and variety of Mattel’s products that it carries and the shelf space allotted for Mattel’s products, or otherwise seek to materially change the terms of the business relationship at any time. Any such change could significantly harm Mattel’s business and operating results.

Liquidity problems or bankruptcy of Mattel’s key customers could have a significant adverse effect on Mattel’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Mattel’s sales to customers are typically made on credit without collateral. There is a risk that key customers will not pay, or that payment may be delayed, because of bankruptcy, contraction of credit availability to such customers, weak retail sales or other factors beyond the control of Mattel, which could increase Mattel’s exposure to losses from bad debts. In addition, if key customers were to cease doing business as a result of bankruptcy or significantly reduce the number of stores operated, it could have a significant adverse effect on Mattel’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

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Significant increases in the price of commodities, transportation, or labor, if not offset by declines in other input costs, or a reduction or interruption in the delivery of raw materials, components and finished products from Mattel’s vendors could negatively impact Mattel’s financial results.

Cost increases, whether resulting from rising costs of materials, transportation, services, labor or compliance with existing or future regulatory requirements could impact the profit margins realized by Mattel on the sale of its products. Because of market conditions, timing of pricing decisions, and other factors, there can be no assurance that Mattel will be able to offset any of these increased costs by adjusting the prices of its products. Increases in prices of Mattel’s products may not be sustainable and could result in lower sales. Mattel’s ability to meet customer demand depends, in part, on its ability to obtain timely and adequate delivery of materials, parts and components from its suppliers and internal manufacturing capacity. Mattel has experienced shortages in the past, including shortages of raw materials and components. Additionally, as Mattel cannot guarantee the stability of its major suppliers, major suppliers may stop manufacturing components at any time with little or no notice. If Mattel is required to use alternative sources, it may be required to redesign some aspects of the affected products, which may involve delays and additional expense. Although Mattel works closely with suppliers to avoid these types of shortages, there can be no assurance that Mattel will not encounter these problems in the future. A reduction or interruption in supplies or in the delivery of finished products, whether resulting from more stringent regulatory requirements, disruptions in transportation, port delays, labor strikes, lockouts, an outbreak of a severe public health pandemic, severe weather, the occurrence or threat of wars or other conflicts, or a significant increase in the price of one or more supplies, such as fuel or resin (which is an oil-based product used in plastics), or otherwise, could negatively impact Mattel’s financial results.

Significant changes in currency exchange rates or the ability to transfer capital across borders could have a significant adverse effect on Mattel’s business and results of operations.

Mattel operates facilities and sells products in numerous countries outside the United States. During 2014, Mattel’s net sales to international customers comprised 47% of Mattel’s total consolidated net sales. Furthermore, Mattel’s net investment in its foreign subsidiaries and its results of operations and cash flows are subject to changes in currency exchange rates and regulations. Highly inflationary economies of certain foreign countries can result in foreign currency devaluation, which negatively impacts Mattel’s profitability. Mattel seeks to mitigate the exposure of its results of operations to fluctuations in currency exchange rates by aligning its prices with the local currency cost of acquiring inventory, distributing earnings in US Dollars, and partially hedging this exposure using foreign currency forward exchange contracts. These contracts are primarily used to hedge Mattel’s purchase and sale of inventory, and other intercompany transactions denominated in foreign currencies. Government action may restrict Mattel’s ability to transfer capital across borders and may also impact the fluctuation of currencies in the countries where Mattel conducts business or has invested capital. Significant changes in currency exchange rates, reductions in Mattel’s ability to transfer its capital across borders, and changes in government-fixed currency exchange rates, including the Chinese yuan and Venezuelan bolivar fuerte, could have a significant adverse effect on Mattel’s business and results of operations.

If global economic conditions deteriorate, Mattel’s business and financial results could be adversely affected.

Mattel designs, manufactures, and markets a wide variety of toy products worldwide through sales to retailer customers and directly to consumers. Mattel’s performance is impacted by the level of discretionary consumer spending, which remains relatively weak in the United States and in many countries around the world in which Mattel does business. Consumers’ discretionary purchases of toy products may be impacted by job losses, foreclosures, bankruptcies, reduced access to credit, significantly falling home prices, lower consumer confidence, and other macroeconomic factors that affect consumer spending behavior. Any of these factors can reduce the amount which consumers spend on the purchase of Mattel’s products. Deterioration of global economic conditions or disruptions in credit markets in the markets in which Mattel operates could potentially have a material adverse effect on Mattel’s liquidity and capital resources, including increasing Mattel’s cost of capital or its ability to raise additional capital if needed, or otherwise adversely affect Mattel’s business and financial results.

 

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In addition to experiencing potentially lower revenues during times of economic difficulty, in an effort to maintain sales during such times, Mattel may need to increase promotional spending or take other steps to encourage retailer and consumer purchase of its products. Those steps may increase costs and/or decrease operating margins.

Failure to successfully implement new initiatives or meet product introduction schedules could have a significant adverse effect on Mattel’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Mattel has announced, and in the future may announce, initiatives to reduce its costs, increase its efficiency, improve the execution of its core business, globalize and extend Mattel’s brands, catch new trends, create new brands, and offer new innovative products, enhance product safety, develop people, improve productivity, simplify processes, maintain customer service levels, as well as initiatives designed to drive sales growth, capitalize on Mattel’s scale advantage, and improve its supply chain. These initiatives involve investment of capital and complex decision-making as well as extensive and intensive execution, and the success of these initiatives is not assured. In addition, Mattel may anticipate introducing a particular product, product line or brand at a certain time in the future. There is no guarantee that Mattel will be able to manufacture, source and ship new or continuing products in a timely manner and on a cost-effective basis. Unforeseen delays or difficulties in the development process or significant increases in the planned cost of development for new Mattel products may cause the introduction date for products to be later than anticipated or, in some situations, may cause a product or new product introduction to be discontinued. Failure to successfully implement any of these initiatives, or launches, or the failure of any of these initiatives or launches to produce the results anticipated by management, could have a significant adverse effect on Mattel’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Mattel’s business depends in large part on the success of its vendors and outsourcers, and Mattel’s brands and reputation may be harmed by actions taken by third-parties that are outside Mattel’s control. In addition, any material failure, inadequacy, or interruption resulting from such vendors or outsourcings could harm Mattel’s ability to effectively operate its business.

As a part of its efforts to cut costs, achieve better efficiencies and increase productivity and service quality, Mattel relies significantly on vendor and outsourcing relationships with third parties for services and systems including manufacturing, transportation, logistics and information technology. Any shortcoming of a Mattel vendor or outsourcer, particularly an issue affecting the quality of these services or systems, may be attributed by customers to Mattel, thus damaging Mattel’s reputation, and brand value, and potentially affecting its results of operations. In addition, problems with transitioning these services and systems to or operating failures with these vendors and outsourcers could cause delays in product sales, and reduce efficiency of Mattel’s operations, and significant capital investments could be required to remediate the problem.

Increases in interest rates, reduction of Mattel’s credit ratings, contraction of credit availability, or the inability of Mattel to meet the debt covenant requirements in its credit facilities could negatively impact Mattel’s ability to conduct its operations.

Mattel relies on external financing, including commercial paper and borrowings under its domestic unsecured committed revolving credit facility, to help fund its seasonal working capital needs. Increases in interest rates, both domestically and internationally, could negatively affect Mattel’s cost of financing its operations. Any reduction in Mattel’s credit ratings could increase the cost of obtaining financing. Mattel may be hindered from obtaining, or incur additional costs to obtain, additional credit in tight credit markets. Additionally, Mattel’s ability to issue long-term debt and obtain seasonal financing could be adversely affected by factors such as market conditions and an inability to meet its debt covenant requirements, which include maintaining certain financial ratios. Mattel’s ability to conduct its operations could be negatively impacted should these or other adverse conditions affect its ability to access these sources of liquidity.

 

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If Mattel is not able to adequately protect its proprietary intellectual property and information, and protect against third party claims that Mattel is infringing on their intellectual property rights, its results of operations could be adversely affected.

The value of Mattel’s business depends on its ability to protect its intellectual property and information, including its trademarks, trade names, copyrights, patents and trade secrets, in the US and around the world, as well as its customer, employee, and consumer data. The steps Mattel has taken may not prevent unauthorized use of its intellectual property, particularly in foreign countries where the laws may not protect its intellectual property as fully as in the US. Mattel may need to resort to litigation to protect its intellectual property rights, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of resources. If Mattel fails to protect its proprietary intellectual property and information, including any successful challenge to Mattel’s ownership of its intellectual property or material infringements of its intellectual property, this failure could have a significant adverse effect on Mattel’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Mattel has acquired certain intellectual properties from third parties. Declines in the profitability of these acquired brands may impact Mattel’s ability to recover the carrying value of the related assets and could result in an impairment charge. Reduction in net earnings caused by impairment charges could harm Mattel’s financial results.

Unfavorable resolution of or adverse developments in legal proceedings, other investigations, or regulatory matters could have a significant adverse effect on Mattel’s financial condition.

Mattel periodically receives claims of infringement of intellectual property rights held by other parties. Responding to any infringement claim, regardless of its validity, may be costly and time-consuming and may divert management and key personnel from business operations. If Mattel, its distributors, its licensors or its manufacturers are found to be infringing on the intellectual property rights of any third party, they may be required to obtain a license to use those rights, which may not be obtainable on reasonable terms, if at all.

Mattel is, from time to time, involved in litigation or other disputes, investigations, and regulatory matters. An unfavorable resolution of these matters could have a significant adverse effect on Mattel’s financial condition and its operations. Regardless of their outcome, these matters may result in substantial costs and expenses, significantly divert the attention of management, or interrupt Mattel’s normal business operations. There can be no assurance that Mattel will be able to prevail in, or achieve a favorable settlement of, any of these matters.

Mattel is subject to various laws and government policies or regulations in numerous jurisdictions, violation of which could subject it to sanctions. In addition, changes in such laws or policies or regulations may lead to increased costs, changes in Mattel’s effective tax rate, or the interruption of normal business operations that would negatively impact Mattel’s financial condition and results of operations.

Mattel operates in a highly regulated environment in the US and international markets. US federal, state, and local governmental entities, and foreign governments regulate many aspects of Mattel’s business, including its products and the importation and exportation of its products. These policies or regulations may include accounting standards, taxation requirements (including changes in applicable income tax rates, new tax laws and revised tax law interpretations), product safety and other safety standards, trade restrictions, duties and tariffs, and regulations regarding currency and financial matters, anticorruption standards (such as the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act), environmental matters, advertising directed toward children, product content, and privacy and data protection, as well as other administrative and regulatory restrictions. While Mattel takes all the steps it believes are necessary to comply with these laws and policies or regulations, there can be no assurance that Mattel will be in compliance in the future. Compliance with these various laws, regulations and policies imposes significant costs on Mattel’s business, and failure to comply could result in monetary liabilities and other penalties, and could lead to significant negative media attention and consumer dissatisfaction, which could have a significant adverse effect on Mattel’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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In addition, changes in laws or policies or regulations may lead to increased costs, changes in Mattel’s effective tax rate, or the interruption of normal business operations, any of which could negatively impact its financial condition and results of operations.

Issues with products may lead to product liability, personal injury or property damage claims, recalls, withdrawals, replacements of products, or regulatory actions by governmental authorities that could divert resources, affect business operations, decrease sales, increase costs, and put Mattel at a competitive disadvantage, any of which could have a significant adverse effect on Mattel’s financial condition.

Mattel has experienced, and may in the future experience, issues with products that may lead to product liability, personal injury or property damage claims, recalls, withdrawals, replacements of products, or regulatory actions by governmental authorities. Any of these activities could result in increased governmental scrutiny, harm to Mattel’s reputation, reduced demand by consumers for its products, decreased willingness by retailer customers to purchase or provide marketing support for those products, adverse impacts on Mattel’s ability to enter into licensing agreements for products on competitive terms, absence or increased cost of insurance, or additional safety and testing requirements. Such results could divert development and management resources, adversely affect Mattel’s business operations, decrease sales, increase legal fees and other costs, and put Mattel at a competitive disadvantage compared to other manufacturers not affected by similar issues with products, any of which could have a significant adverse effect on Mattel’s financial condition and results of operations.

Mattel’s current and future operating procedures and product requirements may increase costs, significantly and adversely affect its relationship with vendors, and make it more difficult for Mattel to produce, purchase, and deliver products on a timely basis to meet market demands. Future conditions may require Mattel to adopt further changes that may increase its costs and further affect its relationship with vendors.

Mattel’s current operating procedures and product requirements, including testing requirements and standards, have imposed costs on both Mattel and the vendors from which it purchases products. Changes in business conditions, including those resulting from new legislative and regulatory requirements, have caused and in the future could cause further revisions in Mattel’s operating procedures and product requirements. Changes in Mattel’s operating procedures and product requirements may delay delivery of products and increase costs. Mattel’s relationship with its existing vendors may be adversely affected as a result of these changes, making Mattel more dependent on a smaller number of vendors. Some vendors may choose not to continue to do business with Mattel or not to accommodate Mattel’s needs to the extent that they have done in the past. In addition, rising production costs, contraction of credit availability, and labor shortages have caused a substantial contraction in the number of toy manufacturers in China, decreasing the number of potential vendors to manufacture Mattel’s products. Because of the seasonal nature of Mattel’s business and the demands of its customers for deliveries with short lead times, Mattel depends upon the cooperation of its vendors to meet market demand for its products in a timely manner. There can be no assurance that existing and future events will not require Mattel to adopt additional requirements and incur additional costs, and impose those requirements and costs on its vendors, which may adversely affect its relationship with those vendors and Mattel’s ability to meet market demand in a timely manner.

Political developments, including trade relations, and the threat or occurrence of war or terrorist activities could adversely impact Mattel, its personnel and facilities, its customers and suppliers, retail and financial markets, and general economic conditions.

Mattel’s business is worldwide in scope, including operations in 40 countries and territories. The deterioration of the political situation in a country in which Mattel has significant sales or operations, or the breakdown of trade relations between the US and a foreign country in which Mattel has significant manufacturing facilities or other operations, could adversely affect Mattel’s business, financial condition, and results of operations. For example, a change in trade status for China could result in a substantial increase in the

 

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import duty of toys manufactured in China and imported into the US. In addition, the occurrence of war or hostilities between countries or threat of terrorist activities, and the responses to and results of these activities, could adversely impact Mattel, its personnel and facilities, its customers and suppliers, retail and financial markets, and general economic conditions.

Disruptions in Mattel’s manufacturing operations due to political instability, civil unrest, or disease could negatively impact Mattel’s business, financial position, and results of operations.

Mattel owns, operates and manages manufacturing facilities and utilizes third-party manufacturers throughout Asia, primarily in China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. The risk of political instability and civil unrest exists in certain of these countries, which could temporarily or permanently damage Mattel’s manufacturing operations located there. In the past, outbreaks of SARS have been significantly concentrated in Asia, particularly in Hong Kong, and in the Guangdong province of China, where many of Mattel’s manufacturing facilities and third-party manufacturers are located. The design, development and manufacture of Mattel’s products could suffer if a significant number of Mattel’s employees or the employees of its third-party manufacturers or their suppliers contract SARS, avian flu or other communicable diseases, or otherwise are unable to fulfill their obligations to Mattel. While Mattel has developed contingency plans designed to help mitigate the impact of disruptions in its manufacturing operations, its business, financial position, and results of operations could be negatively impacted by a significant disruption to its manufacturing operations or suppliers.

Earthquakes or other catastrophic events out of Mattel’s control may damage its facilities or those of its contractors and harm Mattel’s results of operations.

Mattel has significant operations near major earthquake faults, including its corporate headquarters in El Segundo, California. A catastrophic event where Mattel has important operations, such as an earthquake, tsunami, flood, typhoon, fire, or other natural or manmade disaster, could disrupt Mattel’s operations or those of its contractors and impair production or distribution of its products, damage inventory, interrupt critical functions, or otherwise affect its business negatively, harming Mattel’s results of operations.

The production and sale of private-label toys by Mattel’s retail customers may result in lower purchases of Mattel-branded products by those retail customers.

In recent years, consumer goods companies, including those in the toy business, generally have experienced the phenomenon of retail customers developing their own private-label products that directly compete with the products of traditional manufacturers. Some retail chains that are customers of Mattel sell private-label toys designed, manufactured and branded by the retailers themselves. These toys may be sold at prices lower than comparable toys sold by Mattel and may result in lower purchases of Mattel-branded products by these retailers. In some cases, retailers who sell these private-label toys are larger than Mattel and may have substantially more resources than Mattel.

Mattel depends on key personnel and may not be able to hire, retain, and integrate sufficient qualified personnel to maintain and expand its business.

Mattel’s future success depends partly on the continued contribution of key executives, designers, technical, sales, marketing, manufacturing, and administrative personnel. The loss of services of any of Mattel’s key personnel could harm Mattel’s business. Recruiting and retaining skilled personnel is costly and highly competitive. If Mattel fails to retain, hire, train, and integrate qualified employees and contractors, Mattel may not be able to maintain or expand its business.

 

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Mattel may engage in acquisitions, mergers, or dispositions, which may affect the profit, revenues, profit margins, debt-to-capital ratio, capital expenditures, or other aspects of Mattel’s business. In addition, Mattel has certain anti-takeover provisions in its by-laws that may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire Mattel without its consent, which may adversely affect Mattel’s stock price.

Mattel may engage in acquisitions, mergers or dispositions, which may affect the profit, revenues, profit margins, debt-to-capital ratio, capital expenditures, or other aspects of Mattel’s business. There can be no assurance that Mattel will be able to identify suitable acquisition targets or merger partners or that, if identified, it will be able to acquire these targets on terms acceptable to Mattel and to potential merger partners. There can also be no assurance that Mattel will be successful in integrating any acquired company into its overall operations, or that any such acquired company will operate profitably or will not otherwise adversely impact Mattel’s results of operations. Further, Mattel cannot be certain that key talented individuals at those acquired companies will continue to work for Mattel after the acquisition or that they will continue to develop popular and profitable products or services. In addition, Mattel has certain anti-takeover provisions in its by-laws that may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire Mattel without its consent, which may adversely affect Mattel’s stock price.

Mattel relies extensively on information technology in its operations, and any material failure, inadequacy, interruption, or security breach of that technology could have a material adverse impact on its business.

Mattel relies extensively on information technology systems across its operations, including for management of its supply chain, sale and delivery of its products, reporting its results of operations, collection and storage of consumer data, personal data of customers, employees and other stakeholders, and various other processes and transactions. Many of these systems are managed by third-party service providers. Mattel’s ability to effectively manage its business and coordinate the production, distribution, and sale of its products depends significantly on the reliability and capacity of these systems and third-party service providers. Mattel has exposure to similar security risks faced by other large companies that have data stored on their information technology systems. To its knowledge, Mattel has not experienced any material breach of its cybersecurity systems. The cybersecurity system of Mattel’s third party insurance provider has been recently compromised. If Mattel’s or its third-party service providers’ systems fail to operate effectively or are damaged, destroyed, or shut down, or there are problems with transitioning to upgraded or replacement systems, or there are security breaches in these systems, any of the above which could occur as a result of natural disasters, software or equipment failures, telecommunications failures, loss or theft of equipment, acts of terrorism, circumvention of security systems, or other cyber-attacks, Mattel could experience delays or decreases in product sales, and reduced efficiency of its operations. Additionally, any of these events could lead to violations of privacy laws, loss of customers, or loss, misappropriation or corruption of confidential information, trade secrets or data, which could expose Mattel to potential litigation, regulatory actions, sanctions or other statutory penalties, any or all of which could adversely affect its business, and cause it to incur significant losses and remediation costs.

The level of returns on pension plan assets and the actuarial assumptions used for valuation purposes could affect Mattel’s earnings in future periods. Changes in standards and government regulations could also affect its pension plan expense and funding requirements.

Assumptions used in determining projected benefit obligations and the fair value of plan assets for Mattel’s pension plan are evaluated by Mattel in consultation with outside actuaries. In the event that Mattel determines that changes are warranted in the assumptions used, such as the discount rate, expected long term rate of return, or health care costs, its future pension benefit expenses could increase or decrease. Due to changing market conditions or changes in the participant population, the actuarial assumptions that Mattel uses may differ from actual results, which could have a significant impact on its pension and postretirement liability and related costs. Funding obligations are determined based on the value of assets and liabilities on a specific date as required under relevant government regulations for each plan. Future pension funding requirements, and the timing of funding payments, could be affected by legislation enacted by the relevant governmental authorities.

 

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If Mattel’s nonamortizable intangible assets or goodwill becomes impaired, Mattel’s results of operations could be adversely affected.

Mattel tests its nonamortizable intangible assets, including trademarks and trade names, and goodwill for impairment annually or more often if an event or circumstance indicates that an impairment may have occurred. The impairment test for nonamortizable intangible assets is performed by comparing the estimated fair values of the assets with their carrying values. Future changes in estimates used to determine the fair values may impact the fair value of Mattel’s intangible assets, which could result in a write-down, negatively impacting its results of operations. For purposes of evaluating whether goodwill is impaired, goodwill is allocated to various reporting units, which are at the operating segment level. Declines in profitability of Mattel’s reporting units may impact the fair value of its reporting units, which could result in a write-down of its goodwill, negatively impacting its results of operations.

Mattel’s stock price has been volatile over the past several years and could decline in the future, resulting in losses for our investors.

All the factors discussed in this section or any other material announcements or events could affect our stock price. In addition, quarterly fluctuations in our operating results, changes in investor and analyst perception of our business risks and conditions of our business, our ability to meet earnings estimates and other performance expectations of financial analysis or investors, unfavorable commentary or downgrades of our stock by research analysts, fluctuations in the stock prices of our peer companies or in stock markets in general, and general economic or political conditions could also cause the price of our stock to change. A significant drop in the price of our stock could expose us to the risk of securities class action lawsuits, which could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources, adversely affecting our business.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

If any of the risks and uncertainties described in the cautionary risk factors listed above actually occurs, Mattel’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be significantly and adversely affected. The risk factors listed above are not exhaustive. Other sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K include additional factors that could materially and adversely impact Mattel’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, Mattel operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict the impact of all of these factors on Mattel’s business, financial condition or results of operations, or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not rely on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Any or all of the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and any other public statement made by Mattel or its representatives may turn out to be wrong. Mattel expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new developments or otherwise.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

 

Item 2. Properties.

Mattel owns its corporate headquarters in El Segundo, California, consisting of approximately 335,000 square feet, and an adjacent office building consisting of approximately 55,000 square feet. Mattel also leases buildings in El Segundo consisting of approximately 327,000 square feet. All segments use these facilities. Mattel also owns facilities in East Aurora, New York, consisting of approximately 535,000 square feet, which is used by the North America segment and for brand and corporate support functions. American Girl owns its headquarters facilities in Middleton, Wisconsin, consisting of approximately 180,000 square feet, a warehouse in

 

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Middleton, consisting of approximately 215,000 square feet, and distribution facilities in Middleton, DeForest, and Wilmot, Wisconsin, consisting of a total of approximately 948,000 square feet, all of which are used by the American Girl segment. Additionally, Mattel leases a facility in Montreal, Canada, consisting of approximately 817,000 square feet, which is used for brand support and manufacturing functions, and a warehouse in Lachine, Canada, consisting of approximately 276,000 square feet. These facilities in Canada are used by both the North America and International segments. Mattel also owns its principal manufacturing facilities located in Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, and Thailand.

Mattel maintains leased offices in Arkansas, California, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania, and leased warehouse and distribution facilities in California, New Jersey, and Texas, all of which are used by the North America segment. Mattel has leased retail and related office space in Chicago, Illinois, Los Angeles, California, and New York, New York for its American Girl Place stores, Alpharetta, Georgia, Bloomington, Minnesota, Charlotte, North Carolina, Chesterfield, Missouri, Columbus, Ohio, Dallas, Texas, Houston, Texas, Lone Tree, Colorado, Lynnwood, Washington, McLean, Virginia, Miami, Florida, Nashville, Tennessee, Natick, Massachusetts, Orlando, Florida, Overland Park, Kansas, Palo Alto, California, and Scottsdale, Arizona for its American Girl stores, leased retail space in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, which is used by the American Girl segment, and Pomona, California, which is used by the North America segment. Internationally, Mattel has offices and/or warehouse space in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Venezuela, which are leased (with the exception of office and warehouse space in Chile and certain warehouse space in France that is owned by Mattel) and used by the International segment. Mattel also has office space and principal manufacturing facilities in China, which support both the North America and International segments.

For leases that are scheduled to expire during the next twelve months, Mattel may negotiate new lease agreements, renew existing lease agreements, or utilize alternate facilities. See Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Commitments and Contingencies.” Mattel believes that its owned and leased facilities, in general, are suitable and adequate for its present and currently foreseeable needs.

 

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

See Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Commitments and Contingencies—Litigation.”

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

 

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PART II

 

Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Market Information

For information regarding the markets in which Mattel’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share, is traded, see the cover page hereof. For information regarding the high and low closing prices of Mattel’s common stock for the last two calendar years, see Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited).”

Holders of Record

As of February 13, 2015, Mattel had approximately 30,000 holders of record of its common stock.

Dividends

During 2014, 2013, and 2012, Mattel paid total dividends per share of $1.52, $1.44, and $1.24, respectively, to holders of its common stock. The Board of Directors declared the dividends on a quarterly basis, and Mattel paid the dividends during the quarters in which the dividends were declared. The payment of dividends on common stock is at the discretion of the Board of Directors and is subject to customary limitations.

Under US federal income tax rules, corporate dividends are designated as a dividend or a non-dividend distribution based on the applicable “earnings and profits” of the entity paying the dividend. Although Mattel has significant retained earnings, these earnings do not constitute “earnings and profits” as defined in US federal tax rules. Non-dividend distributions are considered a return of capital and are generally not taxable; however, the recipient must adjust his cost basis to reflect the distribution. In 2014, based on assumptions by Mattel, approximately 80% of the distribution is a non-dividend distribution for US federal income tax purposes. Mattel expects more than 50% of its future dividends to be designated as a non-dividend distribution for US federal income tax purposes, assuming no changes to current business operations or current tax laws.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

During the fourth quarter of 2014, Mattel did not sell any unregistered securities.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

During 2014, Mattel repurchased 4.9 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $177.2 million. During 2013, Mattel repurchased 11.0 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $469.2 million. During 2012, Mattel repurchased 2.3 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $77.9 million.

 

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The following table provides certain information with respect to Mattel’s purchases of its common stock during the fourth quarter of 2014:

 

Period

   Total Number of
Shares (or
Units)
Purchased (1)
     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 (2)
 

October 1—31

     1,594,636      $ 30.77         1,592,655       $ 203,016,273   

November 1—30

     2,509        31.25                203,016,273   

December 1—31

     587        30.84                203,016,273   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

           1,597,732      $       30.77             1,592,655       $     203,016,273   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

(1) The total number of shares purchased includes 5,077 shares withheld from employees to satisfy minimum tax withholding obligations that occur upon vesting of restricted stock units. These shares were not purchased as part of a publicly announced repurchase plan or program.

 

(2) Mattel’s share repurchase program was first announced on July 21, 2003. On July 17, 2013, the Board of Directors authorized Mattel to increase its share repurchase program by $500.0 million. At December 31, 2014, share repurchase authorizations of $203.0 million had not been executed. Repurchases under the program will take place from time to time, depending on market conditions. Mattel’s share repurchase program has no expiration date.

 

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Performance Graph

The following graph compares the performance of Mattel common stock with that of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Consumer Discretionary Index. The Cumulative Total Return listed below assumes an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2009 and reinvestment of dividends.

Comparison of Five Year Cumulative Total Return

Mattel, Inc., S&P 500, and S&P 500 Consumer Discretionary Index

 

LOGO

 

Cumulative Total Return    2010      2011      2012      2013      2014  

Mattel, Inc.

   $ 131.43       $ 148.48       $ 203.13       $ 272.90       $ 185.25   

S&P 500

     115.08         117.47         136.24         180.33         204.96   

S&P 500 Consumer Discretionary

     127.66         135.45         167.83         240.08         263.29   

 

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

 

    For the Year Ended December 31,  
    2014     2013     2012     2011     2010  
    (In thousands, except per share and percentage information)  

Operating Results:

         

Net sales

  $ 6,023,819      $ 6,484,892      $ 6,420,881      $ 6,266,037      $ 5,856,195   

Gross profit

    3,001,022        3,478,883        3,409,197        3,145,826        2,954,973   

% of net sales

    49.8     53.6     53.1     50.2     50.5

Operating income (a)

    653,714        1,168,103        1,021,015        1,041,101        901,902   

% of net sales

    10.9     18.0     15.9     16.6     15.4

Income before income taxes

    586,910        1,099,128        945,045        970,673        846,825   

Provision for income taxes (b)

    88,036        195,184        168,581        202,165        161,962   

Net income (a)

  $ 498,874      $ 903,944      $ 776,464      $ 768,508      $ 684,863   

Net Income Per Common Share—Basic (a)

  $ 1.46      $ 2.61      $ 2.25      $ 2.20      $ 1.88   

Net Income Per Common Share—Diluted (a)

  $ 1.45      $ 2.58      $ 2.22      $ 2.18      $ 1.86   

Dividends Declared Per Common Share

  $ 1.52      $ 1.44      $ 1.24      $ 0.92      $ 0.83   
    December 31,  
    2014     2013     2012     2011     2010  
    (In thousands)  

Financial Position:

         

Total assets

  $ 6,722,046      $ 6,439,626      $ 6,526,785      $ 5,671,638      $ 5,417,733   

Noncurrent liabilities

    2,684,026        2,140,627        1,743,729        2,022,107        1,438,867   

Stockholders’ equity

    2,949,071        3,251,559        3,067,044        2,610,603        2,628,584   

 

(a) In 2012, a charge arising from the litigation between Mattel and MGA Entertainment, Inc. resulted in reductions to operating income and net income of $137.8 million and $87.1 million, respectively. This litigation charge also negatively impacted both basic and diluted net income per common share by $0.25 per share.

 

(b) The provision for income taxes in 2014 was positively impacted by net tax benefits of $42.6 million, primarily related to reassessments of prior years’ tax liabilities based on the status of audits and tax filings in various jurisdictions around the world, settlements, and enacted tax law changes, partially offset by a tax charge related to a 2014 tax restructuring for the HIT Entertainment and MEGA Brands operations. The provision for income taxes in 2013 was positively impacted by net tax benefits of $32.2 million, primarily related to reassessments of prior years’ tax liabilities based on the status of audits and tax filings in various jurisdictions around the world, settlements, and enacted tax law changes. The provision for income taxes in 2012 was positively impacted by net tax benefits of $16.0 million, primarily related to reassessments of prior years’ tax liabilities based on the status of audits and tax filings in various jurisdictions around the world, settlements, and enacted tax law changes. The provision for income taxes in 2011 was positively impacted by net tax benefits of $6.8 million, primarily related to reassessments of prior years’ tax liabilities based on the status of audits and tax filings in various jurisdictions around the world, settlements, and enacted tax law changes. The provision for income taxes in 2010 was positively impacted by net tax benefits of $16.8 million, primarily related to the release of a valuation allowance related to the anticipated utilization of excess foreign tax credit carryforwards, reassessments of prior years’ tax liabilities based on the status of audits and tax filings in various jurisdictions around the world, settlements, and enacted tax law changes, partially offset by the incremental tax cost to repatriate earnings from certain foreign subsidiaries for which income taxes had not been previously provided.

 

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes. See Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Overview

Mattel’s vision is “creating the future of play.” Mattel’s objectives are to grow its share in the marketplace, continue to improve its operating margins, and create long-term stockholder value. To achieve these objectives, management has established the following strategies:

The first strategy is to deliver consistent growth by investing in its core brands, optimizing entertainment partnerships, building new franchises, and working to expand and leverage its international footprint.

The second strategy is to optimize operating margins through sustaining gross margins of about 50% over the long-term, and delivering on cost savings initiatives.

The third strategy is to generate significant cash flow and continue its disciplined, opportunistic, and value-enhancing deployment.

2014 Overview

Mattel’s 2014 results were disappointing. Revenue and profitability did not meet management’s expectations, as Mattel’s performance fell short in three areas. Mattel’s product innovation was inconsistent, resulting in brand propositions that were not compelling enough to consumers. The doll category environment was dynamic and challenging and, although Mattel experienced success with the Disney Princess line, it did not drive significant overall growth in the doll category where Mattel’s doll brands make up approximately 40% of its revenue. Additionally, global retail execution fell short of management’s expectations, especially in North America.

Mattel’s 2014 financial highlights include the following:

 

   

Net sales decreased 7% from $6.48 billion in 2013 to $6.02 billion in 2014.

 

   

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for 2014 was 49.8%, a decrease of 380 basis points from 2013.

 

   

Operating income was $653.7 million in 2014, or 10.9% of net sales, compared to the prior year’s operating income of $1.17 billion in 2013, or 18.0% of net sales.

 

   

Mattel’s Operational Excellence 3.0 program resulted in gross cost savings before severance charges and investments of approximately $119 million, or approximately $74 million in net cost savings.

 

   

Mattel paid total annual dividends of $1.52 per share, an increase of 6% from the prior year, and repurchased 4.9 million shares of its common stock.

2015 and Beyond

In 2015 and beyond, Mattel intends to utilize its unmatched portfolio of brands, global scale of infrastructure, capable management team, and strong balance sheet to work towards revitalizing its business and to deepen its connection with children and parents around the world. In addition, Mattel will launch Funding Our Future, its next cost savings program, where it will look to simplify its global operations through structural and process improvements and supply chain optimization.

 

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Results of Operations

2014 Compared to 2013

Consolidated Results

Net sales for 2014 were $6.02 billion, a 7% decrease, as compared to $6.48 billion in 2013, with an unfavorable impact from changes in currency exchange rates of 2 percentage points. Net income for 2014 was $498.9 million, or $1.45 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $903.9 million, or $2.58 per diluted share, in 2013. Net income for 2014 was negatively impacted by lower sales volume, lower gross margins, and higher other selling and administrative expenses, partially offset by lower income taxes.

The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s consolidated results for 2014 and 2013 (in millions, except percentage and basis point information):

 

     For the Year     Year/Year
Change
 
     2014     2013    
     Amount     % of Net
Sales
    Amount     % of Net
Sales
    %     Basis Points
of Net Sales
 

Net sales

   $ 6,023.8        100.0   $ 6,484.9        100.0     –7      
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

Gross profit

   $ 3,001.0        49.8   $ 3,478.9        53.6     –14     –380   

Advertising and promotion expenses

     733.2        12.2        750.2        11.6        –2     60   

Other selling and administrative expenses

     1,614.1        26.8        1,560.6        24.1        3     270   
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

Operating income

     653.7        10.9        1,168.1        18.0        –44     –710   

Interest expense

     79.3        1.3        78.5        1.2        1     10   

Interest (income)

     (7.4     –0.1        (5.6     –0.1        33      

Other non-operating (income), net

     (5.1       (3.9      
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

Income before income taxes

   $ 586.9        9.7   $ 1,099.1        16.9     –47     –720   
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

Sales

Net sales for 2014 were $6.02 billion, a 7% decrease, as compared to $6.48 billion in 2013, with an unfavorable impact from changes in currency exchange rates of 2 percentage points.

 

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The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s consolidated gross sales by brand for 2014 and 2013:

 

     For the Year      % Change  
     2014      2013     
     (In millions, except percentage
information)
 

Mattel Girls & Boys Brands:

        

Barbie

   $ 1,009.5       $ 1,202.8         –16

Other Girls

     1,293.5         1,322.8         –2

Wheels

     754.9         747.7         1

Entertainment

     839.3         1,042.6         –20
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
     3,897.2         4,315.9         –10

Fisher-Price Brands:

        

Core Fisher-Price

     1,213.4         1,374.9         –12

Fisher-Price Friends

     504.8         608.6         –17

Other Fisher-Price

     124.4         137.2         –9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
     1,842.6         2,120.7         –13

American Girl Brands

     620.7         632.5         –2

Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands

     315.0             

Other

     42.9         48.7      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total Gross Sales

   $ 6,718.4       $ 7,117.8         –6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Gross sales were $6.72 billion in 2014, down $399.4 million or 6%, as compared to $7.12 billion in 2013, with an unfavorable impact from changes in currency exchange rates of 2 percentage points. The decrease in gross sales was due to lower sales of Entertainment, Fisher-Price Friends, Barbie, and Core Fisher-Price products, partially offset by Construction and Arts & Crafts products. Of the 20% decrease in Entertainment gross sales, 5% was due to lower sales of Max Steel products, 4% was due to lower sales of Superman products, 4% was due to lower sales of CARS products, and 2% was due to lower sales of kids’ games. Of the 17% decrease in Fisher-Price Friends gross sales, 6% was due to lower sales of Disney Jake and the Never Land Pirates products, 4% was due to lower sales of Nickelodeon products, and 3% was due to lower sales of Mike the Knight® products. The 16% decrease in Barbie gross sales was primarily due to competition within the doll category and brand propositions that were not compelling enough to consumers. Of the 12% decrease in Core Fisher-Price gross sales, 4% was due to lower sales of Little People products and 3% was due to lower sales of Imaginext products. The increase in Construction and Arts & Crafts gross sales was due to initial sales of MEGA Brands products.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales was 50.2% in 2014, as compared to 46.4% in 2013. Cost of sales increased by $16.8 million, or 1%, from $3.01 billion in 2013 to $3.02 billion in 2014, as compared to a 7% decrease in net sales. Within cost of sales, product and other costs increased by $21.5 million, or 1%, from $2.42 billion in 2013 to $2.44 billion in 2014; royalty expenses decreased $4.5 million, or 2%, from $246.9 million in 2013 to $242.4 million in 2014; and freight and logistics expenses decreased by $0.2 million from $337.3 million in 2013 to $337.1 million in 2014.

Gross Profit

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased from 53.6% in 2013 to 49.8% in 2014. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to the impact of the MEGA Brands acquisition, including the impact of the inventory fair value markup above historical cost, efforts to improve consumer

 

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takeaway, the impact of lower sales volume on Mattel’s fixed cost manufacturing and distribution base, and unfavorable product mix, partially offset by price increases and Operational Excellence 3.0 savings offset by higher input costs.

Advertising and Promotion Expenses

Advertising and promotion expenses primarily consist of: (i) media costs, which primarily include the media, planning, and buying fees for television, print, and online advertisements, (ii) non-media costs, which primarily include commercial and website production, merchandising, and promotional costs, (iii) retail advertising costs, which primarily include consumer direct catalogs, newspaper inserts, fliers, and mailers and (iv) generic advertising costs, which primarily include trade show costs. Advertising and promotion expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 12.2% in 2014 from 11.6% in 2013, primarily as a result of lower sales volume.

Other Selling and Administrative Expenses

Other selling and administrative expenses were $1.61 billion in 2014, or 26.8% of net sales, as compared to $1.56 billion in 2013, or 24.1% of net sales. The $53.5 million increase in other selling and administrative expenses was primarily due to approximately $53 million of transaction, integration, and amortization costs associated with the MEGA Brands acquisition, the addition of MEGA Brands’ ongoing other selling and administrative expenses of approximately $51 million, and approximately $25 million of incremental severance and other termination-related costs, partially offset by lower employee-related expenses, including incentive and equity compensation, of approximately $51 million, and Operational Excellence 3.0 gross savings of approximately $35 million.

Non-Operating Items

Interest expense increased by $0.8 million to $79.3 million in 2014, as compared to $78.5 million in 2013, primarily due to higher average long-term borrowings, partially offset by lower average interest rates. Interest income increased by $1.8 million to $7.4 million in 2014, as compared to $5.6 million in 2013, primarily due to higher average invested cash.

Provision for Income Taxes

Mattel’s effective tax rate on income before income taxes in 2014 was 15.0% as compared to 17.8% in 2013. The 2014 and 2013 income tax provisions include net tax benefits of $42.6 million and $32.2 million, respectively. The 2014 net tax benefits primarily relate to reassessments of prior years’ tax liabilities based on the status of audits and tax filings in various jurisdictions around the world, settlements, and enacted tax law changes, partially offset by a tax charge related to a 2014 tax restructuring for the HIT Entertainment and MEGA Brands operations. The 2013 net tax benefits primarily related to reassessments of prior years’ tax liabilities based on the status of audits and tax filings in various jurisdictions around the world, settlements, and enacted tax law changes.

 

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North America Segment

The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s gross sales by brand for the North America segment for 2014 and 2013:

 

     For the Year      % Change  
     2014      2013     
     (In millions, except percentage
information)
 

Mattel Girls & Boys Brands:

        

Barbie

   $ 423.6       $ 458.6         –8

Other Girls

     563.1         600.0         –6

Wheels

     337.9         352.0         –4

Entertainment

     379.0         454.1         –17
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
     1,703.6         1,864.7         –9

Fisher-Price Brands:

        

Core Fisher-Price

     682.5         816.7         –16

Fisher-Price Friends

     279.7         361.8         –23

Other Fisher-Price

     108.3         120.4         –10
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
     1,070.5         1,298.9         –18

Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands

     220.5             

Other

     17.0         17.6      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total Gross Sales

   $ 3,011.6       $ 3,181.2         –5
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Gross sales for the North America segment were $3.01 billion in 2014, down $169.6 million or 5%, as compared to $3.18 billion in 2013, with no impact from changes in currency exchange rates. The decrease in the North America segment gross sales was due to lower sales of Fisher-Price Friends, Entertainment, and Core Fisher-Price products, partially offset by Construction and Arts & Crafts products. Of the 23% decrease in Fisher-Price Friends gross sales, 6% was due to lower sales of Nickelodeon products, 5% was due to lower sales of Thomas and Friends products, 5% was due to lower sales of Disney Jake and the Never Land Pirates products, and 4% was due to lower sales of Mike the Knight products. Of the 17% decrease in Entertainment gross sales, 6% was due to lower sales of Superman products, 5% was due to lower sales of CARS products, 4% was due to lower sales of Radica products, and 3% was due to lower sales of Max Steel products. Of the 16% decrease in Core Fisher-Price gross sales, 6% was due to lower sales of Little People products and 4% was due to lower sales of Imaginext products. The increase in Construction and Arts & Crafts gross sales was due to initial sales of MEGA Brands products. Cost of sales increased 3% in 2014, compared to a 7% decrease in net sales, primarily due to higher product and other costs, partially offset by lower royalty expenses. Gross margins decreased due to the impact of the MEGA Brands acquisition, including the impact of the inventory fair value markup above historical cost, efforts to improve consumer takeaway, the impact of lower sales volume on Mattel’s fixed cost manufacturing and distribution base, and unfavorable product mix, partially offset by price increases and Operational Excellence 3.0 savings offset by higher input costs.

North America segment income decreased by 36% to $459.8 million in 2014, as compared to $723.8 million in 2013, due to lower gross profit and higher other selling and administrative expenses.

 

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International Segment

The following table provides a summary of percentage changes in gross sales within the International segment in 2014 versus 2013:

 

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

Total International Segment

     –7         –4   

Europe

     –7         –4   

Latin America

     –10         –4   

Asia Pacific

     1         –2   

The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s gross sales by brand for the International segment for 2014 and 2013:

 

     For the Year      % Change  
     2014      2013     
     (In millions, except percentage
information)
 

Mattel Girls & Boys Brands:

        

Barbie

   $ 585.9       $ 744.2         –21

Other Girls

     730.4         722.8         1

Wheels

     417.0         395.7         5

Entertainment

     460.3         588.5         –22
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
     2,193.6         2,451.2         –11

Fisher-Price Brands:

        

Core Fisher-Price

     530.9         558.2         –5

Fisher-Price Friends

     225.1         246.8         –9

Other Fisher-Price

     16.1         16.8         –4
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
     772.1         821.8         –6

Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands

     94.5             

Other

     1.3         4.8      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total Gross Sales

   $ 3,061.5       $ 3,277.8         –7
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Gross sales for the International segment were $3.06 billion in 2014, down $216.3 million or 7%, as compared to $3.28 billion in 2013, with an unfavorable impact from changes in currency exchange rates of 4 percentage points. The decrease in the International segment gross sales was due to lower sales of Entertainment and Barbie products, partially offset by Construction and Arts & Crafts products. Of the 22% decrease in Entertainment gross sales, 7% was due to lower sales of Max Steel products, 5% was due to lower sales of kids’ games, 3% was due to lower sales of CARS products, 3% was due to lower sales of Superman products, and 3% was due to lower sales of Disney Planes products. The 21% decrease in Barbie gross sales was primarily due to competition within the doll category and brand propositions that were not compelling enough to consumers. The increase in Construction and Arts & Crafts gross sales was due to initial sales of MEGA Brands products. Cost of sales remained flat in 2014, as compared to a 9% decrease in net sales, as lower product and other costs and lower freight and logistics expenses were offset by higher royalty expenses. Gross margins decreased due to efforts to improve consumer takeaway, the impact of the MEGA Brands acquisition, including the impact of the inventory fair value markup above historical cost, the impact of lower sales volume on Mattel’s fixed cost manufacturing and distribution base, unfavorable product mix, and higher input costs offset by price increases.

International segment income decreased by 42% to $359.9 million in 2014, as compared to $622.9 million in 2013, primarily due to lower gross profit and higher other selling and administrative expenses.

 

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Table of Contents

American Girl Segment

The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s gross sales by brand for the American Girl segment for 2014 and 2013:

 

     For the Year      % Change  
     2014      2013     
     (In millions, except percentage
information)
 

American Girl Segment:

        

American Girl Brands

   $ 620.7       $ 632.5         –2

Other Brands

     24.6         26.3         –6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total American Girl Segment

   $ 645.3       $ 658.8         –2
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Gross sales for the American Girl segment were $645.3 million in 2014, down $13.5 million or 2%, as compared to $658.8 million in 2013, with no impact from changes in currency exchange rates. Of the 2% decrease in American Girl Brands gross sales, 3% was due to lower sales of BeForever products. Cost of sales increased 2% in 2014, as compared to a 2% decrease in net sales, primarily due to higher product and other costs. Gross margins decreased as a result of efforts to improve consumer takeaway.

American Girl segment income decreased by 18% to $113.6 million in 2014, as compared to $138.0 million in 2013, primarily due to lower gross profit and higher advertising and promotion expenses.

2013 Compared to 2012

Consolidated Results

Net sales for 2013 were $6.48 billion, a 1% increase, as compared to $6.42 billion in 2012, with an unfavorable impact from changes in currency exchange rates of 1 percentage point. Net income for 2013 was $903.9 million, or $2.58 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $776.5 million, or $2.22 per diluted share, in 2012. As compared to 2012, net income for 2013 was positively impacted by lower other selling and administrative expenses due to a 2012 litigation charge of $137.8 million, arising out of the litigation between Mattel and MGA Entertainment, Inc. (the “Litigation Charge”), and higher gross margins. In 2012, the Litigation Charge reduced net income by $87.1 million, or $0.25 per share.

The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s consolidated results for 2013 and 2012 (in millions, except percentage and basis point information):

 

     For the Year     Year/Year
Change
 
     2013     2012    
     Amount     % of Net
Sales
    Amount     % of Net
Sales
    %     Basis Points
of Net Sales
 

Net sales

   $ 6,484.9        100.0   $ 6,420.9        100.0     1  
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

Gross profit

   $ 3,478.9        53.6   $ 3,409.2        53.1     2     50   

Advertising and promotion expenses

     750.2        11.6        717.8        11.2        5     40   

Other selling and administrative expenses

     1,560.6        24.1        1,670.4        26.0        –7     (190
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

Operating income

     1,168.1        18.0        1,021.0        15.9        14     210   

Interest expense

     78.5        1.2        88.8        1.4        –12     (20

Interest (income)

     (5.6     –0.1        (6.8     –0.1        –19      

Other non-operating (income), net

     (3.9       (6.0      
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

Income before income taxes

   $ 1,099.1        16.9   $ 945.0        14.7     16     220   
  

 

 

     

 

 

       

 

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Sales

Net sales for 2013 were $6.48 billion, a 1% increase, as compared to $6.42 billion in 2012, with an unfavorable impact from changes in currency exchange rates of 1 percentage point.

The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s consolidated gross sales by brand for 2013 and 2012:

 

     For the Year      % Change  
     2013      2012     
     (In millions, except percentage
information)
 

Mattel Girls & Boys Brands:

        

Barbie

   $ 1,202.8       $ 1,275.3         –6

Other Girls

     1,322.8         1,059.9         25

Wheels

     747.7         813.4         –8

Entertainment

     1,042.6         1,038.0          
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
     4,315.9         4,186.6         3

Fisher-Price Brands:

        

Core Fisher-Price

     1,374.9         1,505.8         –9

Fisher-Price Friends

     608.6         571.7         6

Other Fisher-Price

     137.2         174.8         –21
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
     2,120.7         2,252.3         –6

American Girl Brands

     632.5         567.5         11

Other

     48.7         46.2      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total Gross Sales

   $ 7,117.8       $ 7,052.6         1
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Gross sales were $7.12 billion in 2013, up $65.2 million or 1%, as compared to $7.05 billion in 2012, with no impact from changes in currency exchange rates. The increase in gross sales was due to higher sales of Other Girls products, partially offset by lower sales of Core Fisher-Price products. Of the 25% increase in Other Girls gross sales, 20% was due to higher sales of Monster High products and 5% was due to the initial launch of the Ever After High product line. The 9% decrease in Core Fisher-Price gross sales reflected product innovation not being strong enough to drive growth, along with lower effectiveness of in-store, commercial, and promotional activities.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales was 46.4% in 2013, as compared to 46.9% in 2012. Cost of sales was flat at $3.01 billion in 2013 and 2012, as compared to a 1% increase in net sales. Within cost of sales, product and other costs decreased by $16.8 million, or 1%, from $2.44 billion in 2012 to $2.42 billion in 2013; royalty expenses increased $6.7 million, or 3%, from $240.2 million in 2012 to $246.9 million in 2013; and freight and logistics expenses increased by $4.4 million, or 1%, from $332.9 million in 2012 to $337.3 million in 2013.

Gross Profit

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 53.6% in 2013 from 53.1% in 2012. The increase in gross profit as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to Operational Excellence 3.0 savings, favorable product mix, and price increases offset by higher input costs, partially offset by unfavorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

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Table of Contents

Advertising and Promotion Expenses

Advertising and promotion expenses primarily consist of: (i) media costs, which primarily include the media, planning, and buying fees for television, print, and online advertisements, (ii) non-media costs, which primarily include commercial and website production, merchandising, and promotional costs, (iii) retail advertising costs, which primarily include consumer direct catalogs, newspaper inserts, fliers, and mailers and (iv) generic advertising costs, which primarily include trade show costs. Advertising and promotion expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 11.6% in 2013 from 11.2% in 2012, primarily as a result of lower than expected fourth quarter sales and higher non-media and generic advertising spending.

Other Selling and Administrative Expenses

Other selling and administrative expenses were $1.56 billion in 2013, or 24.1% of net sales, as compared to $1.67 billion in 2012, or 26.0% of net sales. The decrease in other selling and administrative expenses was primarily due to the Litigation Charge of $137.8 million in 2012 and lower incentive compensation expense of approximately $43 million, partially offset by higher other employee-related expenses and investments in strategic initiatives of approximately $78 million and an asset impairment charge of approximately $14 million.

Non-Operating Items

Interest expense decreased by $10.3 million to $78.5 million in 2013, as compared to $88.8 million in 2012, primarily due to lower average interest rates related to long-term borrowings.

Provision for Income Taxes

Mattel’s effective tax rate on income before income taxes in 2013 was flat with 2012 at 17.8%. The 2013 and 2012 income tax provisions include net tax benefits of $32.2 million and $16.0 million, respectively, primarily related to reassessments of prior years’ tax liabilities based on the status of audits and tax filings in various jurisdictions around the world, settlements, and enacted tax law changes.

North America Segment

The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s gross sales by brand for the North America segment for 2013 and 2012:

 

     For the Year      % Change  
     2013      2012     
     (In millions, except percentage
information)
 

Mattel Girls & Boys Brands:

        

Barbie

   $ 458.6       $ 522.6         –12

Other Girls

     600.0         502.2         19

Wheels

     352.0         394.2         –11

Entertainment

     454.1         485.0         –6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
     1,864.7         1,904.0         –2

Fisher-Price Brands:

        

Core Fisher-Price

     816.7         919.8         –11

Fisher-Price Friends

     361.8         332.5         9

Other Fisher-Price

     120.4         157.0         –23
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
     1,298.9         1,409.3         –8

Other

     17.6         16.9      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total Gross Sales

   $ 3,181.2       $ 3,330.2         –4
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

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Table of Contents

Gross sales for the North America segment were $3.18 billion in 2013, down $149.0 million or 4%, as compared to $3.33 billion in 2012, with no impact from changes in currency exchange rates. The decrease in the North America segment gross sales was due to lower sales of Barbie, Core Fisher-Price, and Wheels products, partially offset by higher sales of Other Girls products. The 12% decrease in Barbie gross sales reflected product innovation not being strong enough to drive growth, increased competition within the doll category, along with lower effectiveness of in-store, commercial, and promotional activities. The 11% decrease in Core Fisher-Price gross sales reflected product innovation not being strong enough to drive growth, along with lower effectiveness of in-store, commercial, and promotional activities. Of the 11% decrease in Wheels gross sales, 8% was due to lower sales of radio-controlled vehicles and Matchbox products, and 3% was due to lower sales of Hot Wheels products. Of the 19% increase in Other Girls gross sales, 11% was due to higher sales of Monster High products, and 7% was due to the initial launch of the Ever After High product line. Cost of sales decreased 4% in 2013, consistent with the 4% decrease in net sales, primarily due to lower product and other costs. Gross margins decreased slightly as a result of higher input costs partially offset by price increases, which were partially offset by Operational Excellence 3.0 savings.

North America segment income decreased by 11% to $723.8 million in 2013, as compared to $810.3 million in 2012, due to lower gross profit and higher other selling and administrative expenses.

International Segment

The following table provides a summary of percentage changes in gross sales within the International segment in 2013 versus 2012:

 

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

Total International Segment

     5         –1   

Europe

     7         1   

Latin America

             –4   

Asia Pacific

     6         –5   

The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s gross sales by brand for the International segment for 2013 and 2012:

 

     For the Year      % Change  
     2013      2012     
     (In millions, except percentage
information)
 

Mattel Girls & Boys Brands:

        

Barbie

   $ 744.2       $ 752.7         –1

Other Girls

     722.8         557.7         30

Wheels

     395.7         419.2         –6

Entertainment

     588.5         553.0         6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
     2,451.2         2,282.6         7

Fisher-Price Brands:

        

Core Fisher-Price

     558.2         586.0         –5

Fisher-Price Friends

     246.8         239.2         3

Other Fisher-Price

     16.8         17.8         –5
  

 

 

    

 

 

    
     821.8         843.0         –3

Other

     4.8         0.5      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total Gross Sales

   $ 3,277.8       $ 3,126.1         5
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

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Table of Contents

Gross sales for the International segment were $3.28 billion in 2013, up $151.8 million or 5%, as compared to $3.13 billion in 2012, with an unfavorable impact from changes in currency exchange rates of 1 percentage point. The increase in the International segment gross sales was due to higher sales of Other Girls products. Of the 30% increase in Other Girls gross sales, 29% was due to higher sales of Monster High products. Cost of sales increased by 2% in 2013, as compared to a 5% increase in net sales, primarily due to higher product and other costs and higher freight and logistics expenses. Gross margins increased as a result of Operational Excellence 3.0 savings, favorable product mix, and price increases partially offset by higher input costs, partially offset by unfavorable changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

International segment income increased by 9% to $622.9 million in 2013, as compared to $571.4 million in 2012, primarily due to higher gross profit, partially offset by higher other selling and administrative expenses and higher advertising and promotion expenses.

American Girl Segment

The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s gross sales by brand for the American Girl segment for 2013 and 2012:

 

     For the Year      % Change  
     2013      2012     
     (In millions, except percentage
information)
 

American Girl Segment:

        

American Girl Brands

   $ 632.5       $ 567.5         11

Other Brands

     26.3         28.8         –9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total American Girl Segment

   $ 658.8       $ 596.3         10
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

Gross sales for the American Girl segment were $658.8 million in 2013, up $62.5 million or 10%, as compared to $596.3 million in 2012, with an unfavorable impact from changes in currency exchange rates of 1 percentage point. Of the 11% increase in American Girl Brands gross sales, 6% was due to higher sales of the 2013 Girl of the Year, Saige®, and 3% was due to higher sales of My American Girl products. Cost of sales increased 8% in 2013, as compared to a 10% increase in net sales, primarily due to higher product and other costs and higher freight and logistics expenses. Gross margins increased as a result of favorable product mix and price increases partially offset by higher input costs.

American Girl segment income increased by 13% to $138.0 million in 2013, as compared to $121.6 million in 2012, primarily due to higher gross profit, partially offset by higher other selling and administrative expenses.

Cost Savings Programs

During 2011, Mattel initiated Operational Excellence 2.0, which targeted cumulative cost savings of approximately $175 million by the end of 2012. Mattel exceeded its Operational Excellence 2.0 goal by realizing approximately $187 million of cumulative gross cost savings throughout the program. The major initiatives within the Operational Excellence 2.0 program included:

 

   

A reorganization which resulted in the North America division,

 

   

Additional procurement initiatives designed to fully leverage Mattel’s global scale,

 

   

SKU efficiency, and

 

   

Packaging optimization.

During 2012, Mattel realized gross cost savings before severance charges and investments of approximately $93 million (or approximately $77 million in net cost savings). The gross cost savings included approximately $53 million of structural cost savings and approximately $40 million of legal cost savings. Of the gross cost

 

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Table of Contents

savings realized in 2012, approximately $55 million was reflected within other selling and administrative expenses, approximately $27 million within gross profit, and approximately $11 million within advertising and promotion expenses.

During 2013, Mattel initiated Operational Excellence 3.0, which targeted cumulative gross cost savings of approximately $175 million by the end of 2014. Mattel exceeded its Operational Excellence 3.0 goal by realizing approximately $179 million of cumulative gross cost savings throughout the program. The cost savings program was designed to generate sustainable cost savings through the following primary initiatives:

 

   

Manufacturing efficiencies through automation, Lean manufacturing principles, design for manufacturing, enterprise quality, and packaging optimization,

 

   

Indirect procurement, and

 

   

Operational efficiencies related to enhanced International clustering and realignment of North America operations.

During 2013, Mattel realized gross cost savings before severance charges and investments of approximately $60 million (or approximately $39 million in net cost savings). Of the gross cost savings realized in 2013, approximately $51 million was reflected within gross profit, approximately $8 million within other selling and administrative expenses, and approximately $1 million within advertising and promotion expenses.

During 2014, Mattel realized gross cost savings before severance charges and investments of approximately $119 million (or approximately $74 million in net cost savings). Of the gross cost savings realized in 2014, approximately $77 million was reflected within gross profit, approximately $35 million within other selling and administrative expenses, and approximately $7 million within advertising and promotion expenses.

In 2015, Mattel has initiated the next phase of its cost savings program, Funding Our Future, which targets additional cumulative gross cost savings of approximately $250 million to $300 million by the end of 2016. The cost savings program is designed to generate cost savings through various initiatives, including structural and process improvements and supply chain optimization.

Income Taxes

Mattel’s effective tax rate on income before income taxes in 2014 was 15.0%, as compared to 17.8% in 2013. The 2014 income tax provision included net tax benefits of $42.6 million, primarily related to reassessments of prior years’ tax liabilities based on the status of audits and tax filings in various jurisdictions around the world, settlements, and enacted tax law changes, partially offset by a tax charge related to a 2014 tax restructuring for the HIT Entertainment and MEGA Brands operations.

Mattel’s effective tax rate on income before income taxes in both 2013 and 2012 was 17.8%. The 2013 income tax provision included net tax benefits of $32.2 million, primarily related to reassessments of prior years’ tax liabilities based on the status of audits and tax filings in various jurisdictions around the world, settlements, and enacted tax law changes. The 2012 income tax provision included net tax benefits of $16.0 million, primarily related to reassessments of prior years’ tax liabilities based on the status of audits and tax filings in various jurisdictions around the world, settlements, and enacted tax law changes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Mattel’s primary sources of liquidity are its cash and equivalents balances, access to short-term borrowing facilities, including its $1.60 billion domestic unsecured committed revolving credit facility (“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

 

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Table of Contents

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 global economic crises and tight credit environments, an inability to meet its debt covenant requirements, which include maintaining consolidated debt-to-earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“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.

Of Mattel’s $971.7 million in cash and equivalents as of December 31, 2014, approximately $765 million is held by foreign subsidiaries. Mattel may need to accrue and pay additional income taxes if some or all of the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries were repatriated. Mattel does not intend nor foresee a need to repatriate undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. Mattel has several liquidity options to fund its domestic operations and obligations, including investing and financing activities such as dividends, share repurchases, and debt service. Positive cash flows generated annually by its domestic operations, the unused Credit Facility of $1.60 billion as of December 31, 2014, and access to both long-term and short-term public and private debt markets at highly competitive interest rates are available to fund domestic operations and obligations. If these sources are not adequate, Mattel also has the ability to repatriate highly taxed foreign earnings, receive repayment of intercompany loans to foreign subsidiaries, and distribute liquidating dividends from foreign subsidiaries, all of which would have a very nominal impact, if any, on Mattel’s tax liabilities. Mattel believes that its policy to indefinitely reinvest the earnings of its foreign subsidiaries will not result in and is not reasonably likely to result in a material change to Mattel’s liquidity position.

Current Market Conditions

Mattel is exposed to financial market risk resulting from changes in interest and foreign currency exchange rates. Mattel believes that it has ample liquidity to fund its business needs, including beginning of year cash and equivalents, cash flows from operations, and access to the commercial paper markets and its Credit Facility, which it uses for seasonal working capital requirements. As of December 31, 2014, Mattel had available incremental borrowing resources totaling $1.60 billion under the 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 risks.

Mattel is subject to credit risks relating to the ability of its counterparties in 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 closely monitors its counterparties and takes action, as necessary, to 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 collectibility risks, and customer terms and credit limits are adjusted, if necessary. Additionally, Mattel uses a variety of financial arrangements to ensure collectibility of accounts receivable of customers deemed to be a credit risk, including requiring letters of credit, factoring, 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 its employees. 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.

 

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Capital and Investment Framework

To guide future capital deployment decisions, with a goal of maximizing stockholder value, Mattel’s Board of Directors 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 35%,

 

   

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

 

   

To make strategic opportunistic acquisitions, and

 

   

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

Over the long term, assuming annual 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 stockholders 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 annual cash flows from operating activities. There is no assurance that Mattel will continue to generate strong annual cash flows from operating activities or achieve its targeted goals for investing activities.

Operating Activities

Cash flows from operating activities were $888.6 million during 2014, as compared to $698.4 million during 2013 and $1.28 billion during 2012. The increase in cash flows from operating activities in 2014 from 2013 was primarily due to reductions in working capital usage, partially offset by lower net income. The decrease in cash flows from operating activities in 2013 from 2012 was primarily due to higher working capital usage, including payment of the Litigation Charge of approximately $138 million, partially offset by higher net income.

Investing Activities

Cash flows used for investing activities were $708.6 million during 2014, as compared to $242.1 million during 2013 and $900.2 million during 2012. The increase in cash flows used for investing activities in 2014 from 2013 was primarily due to the acquisition of MEGA Brands. The decrease in cash flows used for investing activities in 2013 from 2012 was primarily due to the acquisition of HIT Entertainment in 2012, partially offset by higher purchases of tools, dies, and molds and other property, plant, and equipment in 2013.

Financing Activities

Cash flows used for financing activities were $227.3 million during 2014, as compared to $740.0 million during 2013 and $410.9 million during 2012. The decrease in cash flows used for financing activities in 2014 from 2013 was primarily due to lower repayments of long-term borrowings and lower share repurchases, partially offset by lower proceeds from the exercise of stock options. The increase in cash flows used for financing activities in 2013 from 2012 was primarily due to higher share repurchases and higher repayments of long-term borrowings, partially offset by net proceeds from long-term borrowings.

During 2014, Mattel repurchased 4.9 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $177.2 million. During 2013, Mattel repurchased 11.0 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $469.2 million. During 2012, Mattel repurchased 2.3 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $77.9 million, of which $23.5 million was unsettled at December 31, 2012. Mattel’s share repurchase program was first announced on July 21, 2003. On July 17, 2013, the Board of Directors authorized Mattel to increase its share repurchase program by $500.0

 

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million. At December 31, 2014, share repurchase authorizations of $203.0 million had not been executed. Repurchases under the program will take place from time to time, depending on market conditions. Mattel’s share repurchase program has no expiration date.

During 2014, 2013, and 2012, Mattel paid total dividends per share of $1.52, $1.44, and $1.24, respectively, to holders of its common stock. The Board of Directors declared the dividends on a quarterly basis, and Mattel paid the dividends during the quarters in which the dividends were declared. The payment of dividends on common stock is at the discretion of the Board of Directors and is subject to customary limitations. Dividend payments were $514.8 million, $494.4 million, and $423.4 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

Seasonal Financing

See Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Seasonal Financing and Debt.”

Financial Position

Mattel’s cash and equivalents decreased $67.6 million to $971.7 million at December 31, 2014, as compared to $1.04 billion at December 31, 2013. The decrease was primarily due to dividend payments, the acquisition of MEGA Brands, purchases of tools, dies, and molds and other property, plant, and equipment, and share repurchases, partially offset by cash flow from operating activities and net proceeds from the issuance of $500.0 million of 2.35% senior unsecured notes due May 6, 2019 (the “2014 Senior Notes”).

Accounts receivable decreased $166.9 million to $1.09 billion at December 31, 2014, as compared to $1.26 billion at December 31, 2013. Inventory decreased $6.8 million to $562.0 million at December 31, 2014, as compared to $568.8 million at December 31, 2013. The decrease in accounts receivable was primarily due to lower sales volume and the timing of cash collections. The decrease in inventory was primarily due to efforts to tightly manage inventory as a result of sales volume declines and lower advanced purchases of raw materials. The change in accounts receivable and inventory from December 31, 2013 includes an increase of $84.5 million and $32.7 million, respectively, related to the MEGA Brands acquisition.

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities increased $54.7 million to $1.07 billion at December 31, 2014, as compared to $1.02 billion at December 31, 2013. The increase was primarily due to the timing and amount of payments for various liabilities, including royalties and advertising and promotion, partially offset by lower incentive compensation accruals. The change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities from December 31, 2013 includes an increase of $45.3 million related to the MEGA Brands acquisition.

As of December 31, 2014, Mattel had no foreign short-term bank loans outstanding, which is a decrease of $4.3 million from December 31, 2013.

A summary of Mattel’s capitalization is as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2014     2013  
     (In millions, except percentage
information)
 

2010 Senior Notes

   $ 500.0         9   $ 500.0         9

2011 Senior Notes

     600.0         11        600.0         12   

2013 Senior Notes

     500.0         9        500.0         9   

2014 Senior Notes

     500.0         9                  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total noncurrent long-term debt

     2,100.0         38        1,600.0         30   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     584.0         10        540.6         10   

Stockholders’ equity

     2,949.1         52        3,251.6         60   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 5,633.1         100   $ 5,392.2         100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Noncurrent long-term debt increased $500.0 million from December 31, 2013 to $2.10 billion at December 31, 2014, due to the issuance of $500.0 million of 2014 Senior Notes.

Stockholders’ equity decreased $302.5 million from December 31, 2013 to $2.95 billion at December 31, 2014, primarily due to dividend payments, currency translation adjustments, and share repurchases, partially offset by net income.

Mattel’s debt-to-total capital ratio, including short-term borrowings and the current portion of long-term debt, increased from 33.0% at December 31, 2013 to 41.6% at December 31, 2014 as a result of higher borrowings and lower stockholders’ equity.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Mattel has no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on its financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources.

Commitments

In the normal course of business, Mattel enters into debt agreements and contractual arrangements to obtain and protect Mattel’s right to create and market certain products and for future purchases of goods and services to ensure availability and timely delivery. These arrangements include commitments for future inventory and service purchases and royalty payments pursuant to licensing agreements. Certain of these commitments routinely contain provisions for guarantees or minimum expenditures during the terms of the contracts. Mattel also has defined benefit and postretirement benefit plans, which require future cash contributions and benefit payments. Additionally, Mattel routinely enters into noncancelable lease agreements for premises and equipment used, which contain minimum rental payments.

The following table summarizes Mattel’s contractual commitments and obligations:

 

                                                                            
     Total      2015      2016      2017      2018      2019      Thereafter  
     (In millions)  

Long-term debt

   $ 2,100.0       $       $ 300.0       $       $ 250.0       $ 500.0       $ 1,050.0   

Interest on long-term debt

     1,043.5         74.1         72.9         66.6         63.2         54.7         712.0   

Capital leases*

     1.5         0.3         0.3         0.3         0.3         0.3           

Operating leases

     519.5         113.8         93.9         73.3         54.5         40.2         143.8   

Minimum guarantees under licensing and similar agreements

     284.6         62.9         108.9         66.1         29.1         17.5         0.1   

Defined benefit and postretirement benefit plans

     415.4         34.7         43.7         45.2         46.5         44.3         201.0   

Purchases of inventory, services, and other

     387.4         363.0         21.1         2.6         0.7                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $    4,751.9       $    648.8       $    640.8       $    254.1       $    444.3       $    657.0       $ 2,106.9   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* Represents total obligation, including imputed interest of $0.3 million.

Liabilities for uncertain tax positions for which a cash tax payment is not expected to be made in the next twelve months are classified as other noncurrent liabilities. Due to the uncertainty about the periods in which examinations will be completed and limited information related to current audits, Mattel is not able to make reasonably reliable estimates of the periods in which cash settlements will occur with taxing authorities for the noncurrent liabilities.

 

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Subsequent Event

On January 26, 2015, Mattel announced that its Board of Directors declared a first quarter dividend of $0.38 per common share. The dividend is payable on March 6, 2015 to stockholders of record on February 19, 2015.

Litigation

The content of Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Commitments and Contingencies—Litigation” is hereby incorporated by reference in this Item 7.

Effects of Inflation

Inflation rates in the US and in major foreign countries where Mattel does business have not had a significant impact on its results of operations or financial position during 2014, 2013, or 2012. Mattel receives some protection from the impact of inflation from high turnover of inventories and its ability, under certain circumstances and at certain times, to pass on higher prices to its customers.

Employee Savings Plan

Mattel sponsors a 401(k) savings plan, the Mattel, Inc. Personal Investment Plan (the “Plan”), for its domestic employees. Contributions to the Plan include voluntary contributions by eligible employees and employer automatic and matching contributions by Mattel. The Plan allows employees to allocate both their voluntary contributions and their employer automatic and matching contributions to a variety of investment funds, including a fund that is invested in Mattel common stock (the “Mattel Stock Fund”). Employees are not required to allocate any of their Plan account balance to the Mattel Stock Fund, allowing employees to limit or eliminate their exposure to market changes in Mattel’s stock price. Furthermore, the Plan limits the percentage of the employee’s total account balance that may be allocated to the Mattel Stock Fund to 25%. Employees may generally reallocate their account balances on a daily basis. However, pursuant to Mattel’s insider trading policy, employees classified as insiders and restricted personnel under Mattel’s insider trading policy are limited to certain periods in which they may make allocations into or out of the Mattel Stock Fund.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Mattel makes certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. The accounting policies and estimates described below are those Mattel considers most critical in preparing its consolidated financial statements. Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of its Board of Directors, and the Audit Committee has reviewed the disclosures included below. These accounting policies and estimates include significant judgments made by management using information available at the time the estimates are made. As described below, however, these estimates could change materially if different information or assumptions were used instead.

For a summary of Mattel’s significant accounting policies, estimates, and methods used in the preparation of Mattel’s consolidated financial statements, see Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.” In most instances, Mattel must use an accounting policy or method because it is the only policy or method permitted under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”).

Accounts Receivable—Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The allowance for doubtful accounts represents adjustments to customer trade accounts receivable for amounts deemed partially or entirely uncollectible. Management believes the accounting estimate related to the allowance for doubtful accounts is a “critical accounting estimate” because significant changes in the

 

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assumptions used to develop the estimate could materially affect key financial measures, including other selling and administrative expenses, net income, and accounts receivable. In addition, the allowance requires a high degree of judgment since it involves estimation of the impact of both current and future economic factors in relation to its customers’ ability to pay amounts owed to Mattel.

Mattel’s products are sold throughout the world. Products within the North America segment are sold directly to retailers, including discount and free-standing toy stores, chain stores, department stores, other retail outlets and, to a limited extent, wholesalers, and directly to consumers. Products within the International segment are sold directly to retailers and wholesalers in most European, Latin American, and Asian countries, and in Australia and New Zealand, and through agents and distributors in those countries where Mattel has no direct presence.

In recent years, the mass-market retail channel has experienced significant shifts in market share among competitors, causing some large retailers to experience liquidity problems. Mattel’s sales to customers are typically made on credit without collateral and are highly concentrated in the third and fourth quarters due to the seasonal nature of toy sales, which results in a substantial portion of trade receivables being collected during the latter half of the year and the first quarter of the following year. There is a risk that customers will not pay, or that payment may be delayed, because of bankruptcy or other factors beyond the control of Mattel. This could increase Mattel’s exposure to losses from bad debts.

A small number of customers account for a large share of Mattel’s net sales and accounts receivable. In 2014, Mattel’s three largest customers, Wal-Mart, Toys “R” Us, and Target, in the aggregate, accounted for approximately 35% of net sales, and its ten largest customers, in the aggregate, accounted for approximately 45% of net sales. As of December 31, 2014, Mattel’s three largest customers accounted for approximately 34% of net accounts receivable, and its ten largest customers accounted for approximately 47% of net accounts receivable. The concentration of Mattel’s business with a relatively small number of customers may expose Mattel to a material adverse effect if one or more of Mattel’s large customers were to experience financial difficulty.

Mattel has procedures to mitigate its risk of exposure to losses from bad debts. Revenue is recognized upon shipment or upon receipt of products by the customer, depending on the terms, provided that: there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance; persuasive evidence of an agreement exists documenting the specific terms of the transaction; the sales price is fixed or determinable; and collectibility is reasonably assured. Value added taxes are recorded on a net basis and are excluded from revenue. Credit limits and payment terms are established based on the underlying criteria that collectibility must be reasonably assured at the levels set for each customer. Extensive evaluations are performed on an ongoing basis throughout the fiscal year of each customer’s financial performance, cash generation, financing availability, and liquidity status. Customers are reviewed at least annually, with more frequent reviews being performed, if necessary, based on the customers’ financial condition and the level of credit being extended. For customers who are experiencing financial difficulties, management performs additional financial analyses prior to shipping to those customers on credit. Customers’ terms and credit limits are adjusted, if necessary, to reflect the results of the review. Mattel uses a variety of financial arrangements to ensure collectibility of accounts receivable of customers deemed to be a credit risk, including requiring letters of credit, factoring, purchasing various forms of credit insurance with unrelated third parties, or requiring cash in advance of shipment.

The following table summarizes Mattel’s allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31:

 

       2014         2013         2012    
     (In millions, except percentage
information)
 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 26.3      $ 20.4      $ 33.5   

As a percentage of total accounts receivable

     1.7     1.6     2.7

 

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Mattel’s allowance for doubtful accounts is based on management’s assessment of the business environment, customers’ financial condition, historical collection experience, accounts receivable aging, and customer disputes. Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts reflect management’s assessment of the factors noted above, including past due accounts, disputed balances with customers, and the financial condition of customers. The allowance for doubtful accounts is also affected by the time at which uncollectible accounts receivable balances are actually written off.

Mattel believes that its allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2014 is adequate and proper. However, as described above, Mattel’s business is greatly dependent on a small number of customers. Should one or more of Mattel’s major customers experience liquidity problems, then the allowance for doubtful accounts may not be sufficient to cover such losses. Any incremental bad debt charges would negatively affect the results of operations of one or more of Mattel’s business segments.

Inventories—Allowance for Obsolescence

Inventories, net of an allowance for excess quantities and obsolescence, are stated at the lower of cost or market. Inventory obsolescence reserves are recorded for damaged, obsolete, excess, and slow-moving inventory. Inventory allowances are charged to cost of sales and establish a lower cost basis for the inventory. Management believes that the accounting estimate related to the allowance for obsolescence is a “critical accounting estimate” because changes in the assumptions used to develop the estimate could materially affect key financial measures, including gross profit, net income, and inventories. As more fully described below, valuation of Mattel’s inventory could be impacted by changes in public and consumer preferences, demand for product, or changes in the buying patterns of both retailers and consumers and inventory management of customers.

In the toy industry, orders are subject to cancellation or change at any time prior to shipment since actual shipments of products ordered and order cancellation rates are affected by consumer acceptance of product lines, strength of competing products, marketing strategies of retailers, changes in buying patterns of both retailers and consumers, and overall economic conditions. Unexpected changes in these factors could result in excess inventory in a particular product line, which would require management to record a valuation adjustment on such inventory.

Mattel bases its production schedules for toy products on customer orders and forecasts, taking into account historical trends, results of market research, and current market information. Mattel ships products in accordance with delivery schedules specified by its customers, who usually request delivery within three months. In anticipation of retail sales in the traditional holiday season, Mattel significantly increases its production in advance of the peak selling period, resulting in a corresponding build-up of inventory levels in the first three quarters of its fiscal year. These seasonal purchasing patterns and requisite production lead times create risk to Mattel’s business associated with the underproduction of popular toys and the overproduction of toys that do not match consumer demand. Retailers are also attempting to manage their inventories more tightly, requiring Mattel to ship products closer to the time the retailers expect to sell the products to consumers. These factors increase inventory valuation risk since Mattel’s inventory levels may be adversely impacted by the need to pre-build products before orders are placed.

When current conditions in the domestic and global economies become uncertain, it is difficult to estimate the level of growth or contraction for the economy as a whole. It is even more difficult to estimate growth or contraction in various parts of the economy, including the economies in which Mattel participates. Because all components of Mattel’s budgeting and forecasting are dependent upon estimates of growth or contraction in the markets it serves and demand for its products, economic uncertainty makes estimates of future demand for product more difficult. Such economic changes may affect the sales of Mattel’s products and its corresponding inventory levels, which could potentially impact the valuation of its inventory.

 

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At the end of each quarter, management within each business segment, North America, International, and American Girl, performs a detailed review of its inventory on an item-by-item basis and identifies products that are believed to be impaired. Management assesses the need for, and the amount of, an obsolescence reserve based on the following factors:

 

   

Customer and/or consumer demand for the item,

 

   

Overall inventory positions of Mattel’s customers,

 

   

Strength of competing products in the market,

 

   

Quantity on hand of the item,

 

   

Sales price of the item,

 

   

Mattel’s cost for the item, and

 

   

Length of time the item has been in inventory.

The timeframe between when an estimate is made and the time of disposal depends on the above factors and may vary significantly. Generally, slow-moving inventory is liquidated during the next annual selling cycle.

The following table summarizes Mattel’s obsolescence reserve at December 31:

 

       2014         2013         2012    
     (In millions, except percentage
information)
 

Allowance for obsolescence

   $ 46.9      $ 49.1      $ 46.6   

As a percentage of total inventory

     7.7     7.9     9.1

Management believes that its allowance for obsolescence at December 31, 2014 is adequate and proper. However, the impact resulting from the aforementioned factors could cause actual results to vary. Any incremental obsolescence charges would negatively affect the results of operations of one or more of Mattel’s business segments.

Goodwill and Nonamortizable Intangible Assets

Mattel tests goodwill and nonamortizable intangible assets for impairment annually or more often if an event or circumstance indicates that an impairment may have occurred. Management believes that the accounting estimates related to the fair value estimates of its goodwill and nonamortizable intangible assets are “critical accounting estimates” because significant changes in the assumptions used to develop the estimates could materially affect key financial measures, including net income, goodwill, and other intangible assets.

Assessing goodwill for impairment involves a high degree of judgment due to the assumptions that underlie the valuation. For purposes of evaluating whether goodwill is impaired, goodwill is allocated to various reporting units, which are at the operating segment level. Mattel’s reporting units are: (i) North America, (ii) International, and (iii) American Girl. Mattel then assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. This qualitative assessment is used as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative two-step goodwill impairment test. When the quantitative two-step goodwill impairment test is necessary, impairment is determined by estimating the fair value of a reporting unit and comparing that value to the reporting unit’s book value. If the fair value is greater than the book value of the reporting unit, goodwill is not impaired. If an impairment exists, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of its assets and liabilities excluding goodwill, with the excess amount representing the fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the book value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the estimated fair value of that goodwill.

 

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When performing the quantitative two-step goodwill impairment test, Mattel utilizes the fair value based upon the discounted cash flows that the business can be expected to generate in the future (the “Income Approach”). The Income Approach valuation method requires Mattel to make projections of revenue, operating costs, and working capital investment for the reporting unit over a multi-year period. Additionally, management must make an estimate of a weighted average cost of capital that a market participant would use as a discount rate. Changes in these projections or estimates could result in a reporting unit either passing or failing the first step of the impairment model, which could significantly change the amount of any impairment ultimately recorded.

During the third quarter of 2014, Mattel assessed its goodwill for impairment by evaluating qualitative factors, such as reporting unit performance, results of its most recent quantitative assessments, general economic conditions, access to capital, the industry and competitive environment, current business strategies, and the interest rate environment, for each of its reporting units and determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting units were less than the carrying amounts. As a result of this determination, the quantitative two-step goodwill impairment test was deemed unnecessary.

Testing nonamortizable intangible assets for impairment also involves a high degree of judgment due to the assumptions that underlie the valuation. Mattel evaluates nonamortizable intangible assets, including trademarks and trade names, for impairment by comparing the estimated fair values with the carrying values. The fair value is measured using a multi-period excess earnings method, which reflects the incremental after-tax cash flows attributable to the trademark and trade names after deducting the appropriate contributory asset charges.

During the second quarter of 2013, Mattel changed its brand strategy for Polly Pocket, which includes a more focused allocation of resources to support the Polly Pocket brand in specific markets, resulting in a reduction of the forecasted future cash flows of the brand. As a result of the change, Mattel tested the asset for impairment. The Polly Pocket trade name, which previously had a carrying value of approximately $113 million, had a fair value of approximately $99 million, and Mattel recorded an impairment charge of approximately $14 million within other selling and administrative expenses. In conjunction with the impairment test, Mattel reassessed Polly Pocket’s nonamortizable classification and determined that the nonamortizable classification could no longer be supported. As such, the Polly Pocket trade name was reclassified as an amortizable intangible asset, and the remaining fair value of the asset is being amortized over its estimated remaining useful life. See Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Goodwill and Other Intangibles” for additional information.

During the third quarter of 2014, Mattel performed the annual impairment test for the remaining nonamortizable intangible assets as required and determined that its remaining nonamortizable intangible assets were not impaired as the fair values of the nonamortizable intangible assets exceeded their carrying values. Mattel also considered events and circumstances subsequent to these impairment tests in concluding there was no impairment as of December 31, 2014.

Sales Adjustments

Mattel routinely enters into arrangements with its customers to provide sales incentives, support customer promotions, and provide allowances for returns and defective merchandise. Such programs are based primarily on customer purchases, customer performance of specified promotional activities, and other specified factors such as sales to consumers. Accruals for these programs are recorded as sales adjustments that reduce gross revenue in the period the related revenue is recognized. Sales adjustments for such programs totaled $694.6 million, $632.9 million, and $631.7 million during 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.

The above-described programs primarily involve fixed amounts or percentages of sales to customers. Accruals for such programs are calculated based on an assessment of customers’ purchases and performance under the programs and any other specified factors. While the majority of sales adjustment amounts are readily

 

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determinable at period end and do not require estimates, certain of the sales adjustments require management to make estimates. In making these estimates, management considers all available information, including the overall business environment, historical trends, and information from customers. Management believes that the accruals recorded for customer programs as of December 31, 2014 are adequate and proper.

Benefit Plan Assumptions

Mattel and certain of its subsidiaries have retirement and other postretirement benefit plans covering substantially all employees of these companies. See Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Employee Benefit Plans.”

Actuarial valuations are used in determining amounts recognized in the financial statements for certain retirement and other postretirement benefit plans. These valuations incorporate the following significant assumptions:

 

   

Weighted average discount rate to be used to measure future plan obligations and interest cost component of plan income or expense,

 

   

Rate of future compensation increases (for defined benefit pension plans),

 

   

Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (for funded plans), and

 

   

Health care cost trend rates (for other postretirement benefit plans).

Management believes that these assumptions are “critical accounting estimates” because significant changes in these assumptions could impact Mattel’s results of operations and financial position. Management believes that the assumptions utilized to record its obligations under its plans are reasonable based on the plans’ experience and advice received from its outside actuaries. Mattel reviews its benefit plan assumptions annually and modifies its assumptions based on current rates and trends as appropriate. The effects of such changes in assumptions are amortized as part of plan income or expense in future periods.

At the end of each fiscal year, Mattel determines the weighted average discount rate used to calculate the projected benefit obligation. The discount rate is an estimate of the current interest rate at which the benefit plan liabilities could be effectively settled at the end of the year. The discount rate also impacts the interest cost component of plan income or expense. As of December 31, 2014, Mattel determined the discount rate for its domestic benefit plans used in determining the projected and accumulated benefit obligations to be 3.8%, as compared to 4.7% and 4.0% as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In estimating this rate, Mattel reviews rates of return on high-quality corporate bond indices, which approximate the timing and amount of benefit payments. Assuming all other benefit plan assumptions remain constant, the decrease in the discount rate from 4.7% to 3.8% would result in a increase in benefit plan expense during 2015 of approximately $3 million.

The rate of future compensation increases used by Mattel for the benefit obligation and the net periodic pension cost of its domestic defined benefit pension plans averaged 3.8% for 2014, 2013, and 2012, based on plan demographics. This assumption is reviewed annually based on historical salary increases for participants in the defined benefit pension plans and impacts the service and interest cost components of plan income or expense.

The long-term rate of return on plan assets is based on management’s expectation of earnings on the assets that secure Mattel’s funded defined benefit pension plans, taking into account the mix of invested assets, the arithmetic average of past returns, economic and stock market conditions and future expectations, and the long-term nature of the projected benefit obligation to which these investments relate. The long-term rate of return is used to calculate the expected return on plan assets that is used in calculating pension income or expense. The difference between this expected return and the actual return on plan assets is deferred, net of tax, and is included in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The net deferral of past asset gains or losses affects the calculated

 

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value of plan assets and, ultimately, future pension income or expense. Mattel’s long-term rate of return used in determining plan expense for its domestic defined benefit pension plans was 8.0% in 2014, 2013, and 2012. Assuming all other benefit plan assumptions remain constant, a one percentage point decrease in the expected return on plan assets would result in an increase in benefit plan expense during 2015 of approximately $4 million.

The health care cost trend rates used by Mattel for its other postretirement benefit plans reflect management’s best estimate of expected claim costs over the next ten years. These trend rates impact the service and interest cost components of plan expense. Rates ranging from 8.5% in 2014 to 5.4% in 2030, with rates assumed to stabilize in 2030 and thereafter, were used in determining plan expense for 2014. These rates are reviewed annually and are estimated based on historical costs for participants in the other postretirement benefit plans as well as estimates based on current economic conditions. As of December 31, 2014, Mattel adjusted the health care cost trend rates for its other postretirement benefit plan obligation to 7.5% for participants younger than age 65 and 8.8% for participants age 65 and older. For participants younger than age 65, the cost trend rates are estimated to reduce to 4.5% by 2023, with rates assumed to stabilize in 2023. For participants age 65 and older, the cost trend rates are estimated to reduce to 4.5% by 2024, with rates assumed to stabilize in 2024. Assuming all other postretirement benefit plan assumptions remain constant, a one percentage point increase in the assumed health care cost trend rates would result in an increase in benefit plan expense during 2015 of less than $1 million.

A one percentage point increase/(decrease) in the assumed health care cost trend rate for each future year would impact the postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2014 by $2.0 million and $(1.7) million, respectively, and the service and interest cost recognized for 2014 by $0.1 million and $(0.1) million, respectively.

Share-Based Payments

Mattel recognizes the cost of employee share-based payment awards on a straight-line attribution basis over the requisite employee service period, net of estimated forfeitures. In determining when additional tax benefits associated with share-based payment exercises are recognized, Mattel follows the ordering of deductions under the tax law, which allows deductions for share-based payment exercises to be utilized before previously existing net operating loss carryforwards.

Determining the fair value of share-based awards at the measurement date requires judgment, including estimating the expected term that stock options will be outstanding prior to exercise, the associated volatility, and the expected dividends. Mattel estimates the fair value of options granted using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The expected life of the options used in this calculation is the period of time the options are expected to be outstanding and has been determined based on historical exercise experience. Expected stock price volatility is based on the historical volatility of Mattel’s stock for a period approximating the expected life, the expected dividend yield is based on Mattel’s most recent actual annual dividend payout, and the risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield available on US Treasury zero-coupon issues approximating the expected life. Judgment is also required in estimating the amount of share-based awards that will be forfeited prior to vesting. Management believes that these assumptions are “critical accounting estimates” because significant changes in the assumptions used to develop the estimates could materially affect key financial measures, including net income.

 

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The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during 2014, 2013, and 2012 was $4.57, $8.80, and $7.32, respectively. The following weighted average assumptions were used in determining the fair value of options granted:

 

     2014     2013     2012  

Expected life (in years)

     4.9        4.9        5.0   

Risk-free interest rate

     1.6     1.5     0.7

Volatility factor

     23.7     31.8     35.0

Dividend yield

     4.3     3.4     3.6

The following table summarizes the sensitivity of valuation assumptions within the calculation of stock option fair values, if all other assumptions are held constant:

 

     Increase in
Assumption
Factor
    Increase
(Decrease)
in Fair
Value
(in % pts)
 

Expected life (in years)

     1 year        3.6   

Risk-free interest rate

     1     12.5   

Volatility factor

     1     6.8   

Dividend yield

     1     (14.1

 

     (Decrease) in
Assumption
Factor
    Increase
(Decrease)
in Fair
Value
(in % pts)
 

Expected life (in years)

     (1) year        (3.2

Risk-free interest rate

     (1 )%      (9.8

Volatility factor

     (1 )%      (4.8

Dividend yield

     (1 )%      18.2   

Mattel recognized compensation expense of $12.5 million, $12.1 million, and $13.8 million for stock options during 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, which is included within other selling and administrative expenses. Compensation expense recognized related to grants of restricted stock units (“RSUs”), including performance-based restricted stock units (“Performance RSUs”), was $39.5 million, $49.6 million, and $49.5 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively, and is also included within other selling and administrative expenses. As of December 31, 2014, total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based payments totaled $87.7 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.

Income Taxes

Mattel’s income tax provision and related income tax assets and liabilities are based on actual and expected future income, US and foreign statutory income tax rates, and tax regulations and planning opportunities in the various jurisdictions in which Mattel operates. Management believes that the accounting estimates related to income taxes are “critical accounting estimates” because significant judgment is required in interpreting tax regulations in the US and in foreign jurisdictions, evaluating Mattel’s worldwide uncertain tax positions, and assessing the likelihood of realizing certain tax benefits. Actual results could differ materially from those judgments, and changes in judgments could materially affect Mattel’s consolidated financial statements.

Certain income and expense items are accounted for differently for financial reporting and income tax purposes. As a result, the income tax expense reflected in Mattel’s consolidated statements of operations is different than that reported in Mattel’s tax returns filed with the taxing authorities. Some of these differences are permanent, such as expenses that are not deductible in Mattel’s tax return, and some differences reverse over

 

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time, such as depreciation expense. These timing differences create deferred income tax assets and liabilities. Deferred income tax assets generally represent items that can be used as a tax deduction or credit in Mattel’s tax returns in future years for which Mattel has already recorded a tax benefit in its consolidated statement of operations. Mattel records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred income tax assets if, based on the weight of available evidence, management believes expected future taxable income is not likely to support the use of a deduction or credit in that jurisdiction. Management evaluates the level of Mattel’s valuation allowances at least annually, and more frequently if actual operating results differ significantly from forecasted results.

Mattel records unrecognized tax benefits for US federal, state, local, and foreign tax positions related primarily to transfer pricing, tax credits claimed, tax nexus, and apportionment. For each reporting period, management applies a consistent methodology to measure unrecognized tax benefits and all unrecognized tax benefits are reviewed periodically and adjusted as circumstances warrant. Mattel’s measurement of its unrecognized tax benefits is based on management’s assessment of all relevant information, including prior audit experience, the status of audits, conclusions of tax audits, lapsing of applicable statutes of limitations, identification of new issues, and any administrative guidance or developments. Mattel recognizes unrecognized tax benefits in the first financial reporting period in which information becomes available indicating that such benefits will more-likely-than-not (a greater than 50 percent likelihood) be realized.

Mattel’s effective tax rate on income before income taxes in 2014 was 15.0%, as compared to 17.8% in 2013. The income tax provision included net tax benefits of $42.6 million, $32.2 million, and $16.0 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. The 2014 net tax benefits primarily relate to reassessments of prior years’ tax liabilities based on the status of audits and tax filings in various jurisdictions around the world, settlements, and enacted tax law changes, partially offset by a tax charge related to a 2014 tax restructuring for the HIT Entertainment and MEGA Brands operations. The 2013 and 2012 net tax benefits primarily related to the reassessments of prior years’ tax liabilities based on the status of audits and tax filings in various jurisdictions around the world, settlements, and enacted tax law changes.

In the normal course of business, Mattel is regularly audited by federal, state, local, and foreign tax authorities. The ultimate settlement of any particular issue with the applicable taxing authority could have a material impact on Mattel’s consolidated financial statements.

New Accounting Pronouncements

See Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, Mattel includes a non-GAAP financial measure, gross sales, which it uses to analyze its 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. 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.

 

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A reconciliation of gross sales to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, net sales, is as follows:

 

     For the Year  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (In thousands)  

Revenues by Segment

      

North America

   $ 3,011,633      $ 3,181,205      $ 3,330,217   

International

     3,061,506        3,277,840        3,126,088   

American Girl

     645,309        658,768        596,298   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross sales

     6,718,448        7,117,813        7,052,603   

Sales adjustments

     (694,629     (632,921     (631,722
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net sales

   $ 6,023,819      $ 6,484,892      $ 6,420,881   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Item 7A. 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 transactions denominated in the Euro, British pound sterling, Mexican peso, Brazilian real, and Indonesian rupiah were the primary transactions that caused foreign currency transaction exposure for Mattel during 2014, 2013, and 2012. Mattel seeks to mitigate its exposure to market risk by monitoring its foreign 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, 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 income 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 investments 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 year-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 during 2014 were related to its net investments in entities having functional currencies denominated in the Euro, Mexican peso, British pound sterling, Russian ruble, and Brazilian real.

There are numerous factors impacting the amount by which Mattel’s financial results are affected by foreign currency translation and transaction 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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Mattel’s foreign currency forward exchange contracts that were used to hedge firm foreign currency commitments as of December 31, 2014 are shown below. All contracts in the following table are against the US dollar and are maintained by reporting units with a US dollar functional currency, with the exception of the Indonesian rupiah contracts, which are maintained by entities with a rupiah functional currency.

 

                                                                                                     
     Buy     Sell  
     Contract
Amount
     Weighted
Average
Contract
Rate
     Fair
Value
    Contract
Amount
     Weighted
Average
Contract
Rate
     Fair
Value
 
     (In thousands of US dollars, except for rates)  

Australian dollar*

   $ 42,682         0.82       $ (82   $ 4,934         0.91       $ 557   

British pound sterling*

     44,743         1.57         (485                       

Canadian dollar*

     12,886         0.86         19        14,574         0.89         517   

Czech koruna

     809         21.96         (29                       

Danish krone

     51         5.95         (2                       

Euro*

     265,501         1.25         (8,565     377,501         1.33         32,349   

Hungarian forint

     2,104         249.64         (93                       

Indonesian rupiah

     72,418         12,590.81         (431                       

Japanese yen

                            13,154         117.20         285   

Mexican peso

     117,913         14.73                75,489         14.73         252   

New Turkish lira

     1,257         2.37         16                          

New Zealand dollar*

     17,149         0.78         38                          

Polish zloty

     11,915         3.36         (594                       

Russian ruble

     5,560         62.95         1,028                          

Singapore dollar

     6,483         1.31         (90                       

Swiss franc

     29,014         0.96         (1,016                       

Taiwan dollar

                            13,657               31.50         83   
  

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

 
   $ 630,485          $  (10,286   $ 499,309          $   34,043   
  

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

* The weighted average contract rate for these contracts is quoted in US dollar per local currency.

For the purchase of foreign currencies, fair value reflects the amount, based on dealer quotes, that Mattel would pay at maturity for contracts involving the same notional amounts, currencies, and maturity dates, if they had been entered into as of December 31, 2014. For the sale of foreign currencies, fair value reflects the amount, based on dealer quotes, that Mattel would receive at maturity for contracts involving the same notional amounts, currencies, and maturity dates, if they had been entered into as of December 31, 2014. The differences between the market forward amounts and the contract amounts are expected to be fully offset by currency transaction gains and losses on the underlying hedged transactions.

In addition to the contracts involving the US dollar detailed in the above table, Mattel also had contracts to sell British pound sterling for the purchase of Euro. As of December 31, 2014, these contracts had a contract amount of $57.7 million and a fair value of $(2.0) million.

Had Mattel not entered into hedges to limit the effect of currency exchange rate fluctuations on its results of operations and cash flows, its income before income taxes would have increased by approximately $32 million in 2014, decreased by approximately $9 million in 2013, and decreased by approximately $35 million in 2012.

Venezuelan Operations

Since January 1, 2010, Mattel has accounted for Venezuela as a highly inflationary economy as the three-year cumulative inflation rate for Venezuela exceeded 100%. Accordingly, Mattel’s Venezuelan subsidiary uses the US dollar as its functional currency, and monetary assets and liabilities denominated in Venezuelan bolivar fuerte (“BsF”) generate income or expense for changes in value associated with foreign currency exchange rate

 

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fluctuations against the US dollar. From January 2010 through January 2013, Mattel’s Venezuelan subsidiary used the Sistema de Transacciones con Titulos en Moneda Extranjera (“SITME”) rate, which was controlled by the Central Bank of Venezuela, to remeasure monetary assets and liabilities denominated in BsF. The SITME rate was quoted at 5.30 BsF per US dollar as of December 31, 2012.

During February 2013, the Central Bank of Venezuela revised its official exchange rate to 6.30 BsF per US dollar and eliminated the SITME rate. Since February 2013, Mattel’s Venezuelan subsidiary has used the official exchange rate as its remeasurement rate. The change in the exchange rate resulted in an unrealized foreign currency exchange loss of approximately $5 million, which was primarily recognized within other non-operating (income) expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations in the first quarter of 2013.

During March 2013, the Venezuelan government announced a complementary currency exchange system, the Sistema Complementario de Administracion de Divisas 1 (“SICAD 1”). Participation in SICAD 1 is controlled by the Venezuelan government. SICAD 1 is intended to function as an auction system, allowing entities in specific sectors to bid for US dollars to be used for specified import transactions. During December 2013, the government regulation that created SICAD 1 was amended to expand its use and to require publication of the average exchange rate implied by transactions settled in SICAD 1 auctions. In January 2014, the Venezuelan government announced a new foreign currency administration body, the National Center for Foreign Commerce (“CENCOEX”), which approves certain transactions at the official rate.

During February 2014, the Venezuelan government created a third currency exchange system called the Sistema Complementario de Administracion de Divisas 2 (“SICAD 2”), which was expected to provide a greater supply of US dollars from sources other than the Venezuelan government, is expected to allow all sectors and companies to participate, and is expected to permit US dollars to be offered in cash or bonds. Foreign exchange transactions in SICAD 2 will be regulated by the Central Bank of Venezuela and administered by registered banks, brokerage firms, and exchange houses that have been authorized by the Central Bank of Venezuela.

Mattel was not eligible to access US dollars in Venezuela through SICAD 1. Based on a number of factors, including the restrictions placed on eligible participants, the amount of US dollars available to purchase through the auction process, and the ineligibility of past import transactions to be settled through SICAD 1, Mattel does not believe it was appropriate to use the SICAD 1 rate as its remeasurement rate as of December 31, 2014. However, had Mattel used the SICAD 1 rate of 12.00 BsF per US dollar as of December 31, 2014 as its remeasurement rate, it would have recognized a pre-tax charge of approximately $10 million in its consolidated statement of operations.

Mattel was not able to access US dollars in Venezuela through SICAD 2 due to the restrictions associated with SICAD 2 and the limited access to the SICAD 2 system. As such, Mattel does not believe it was appropriate to use the SICAD 2 rate as its remeasurement rate as of December 31, 2014. However, had Mattel used the SICAD 2 rate of 49.99 BsF per US dollar as of December 31, 2014 as its remeasurement rate, it would have recognized a pre-tax charge of approximately $19 million in its consolidated statement of operations.

During February 2015, the Venezuelan government announced that it will launch a new three-tiered currency exchange platform, which will include a new exchange system called the Marginal Currency System (“SIMADI”). The first tier will be used for food, medicine, agriculture, and other essential goods and will use the existing official exchange rate of 6.30 BsF per US dollar. The second tier will be a merger of the SICAD 1 and SICAD 2 systems, which will continue to hold periodic auctions for entities in specific sectors. The third tier will be the new SIMADI system, which is a market-driven exchange that will allow for legal trading of foreign currency based on supply and demand. Mattel will monitor the accessibility of US dollars through the new currency exchange platform and will assess the impact to its financial statements as additional information becomes available.

 

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Mattel’s Venezuelan subsidiary represented less than 0.1% of Mattel’s consolidated net sales in 2014 and had approximately $22 million of net monetary assets denominated in BsF as of December 31, 2014. Venezuela currency matters, along with economic and political instability, continue to impact the operating results of Mattel’s Venezuelan subsidiary. If the Venezuelan bolivar fuerte significantly devalues in the future, or if the economic or political conditions significantly worsen, Mattel may consider ceasing operations of its Venezuelan subsidiary, which could result in a pre-tax charge to its consolidated statement of operations of up to $95 million.

 

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)). Mattel’s management, including Christopher A. Sinclair, its principal executive officer, and Kevin M. Farr, its principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of Mattel’s internal control over financial reporting using the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The scope of management’s evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting does not include any internal controls of MEGA Brands Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada (“MEGA Brands”), which was acquired on April 30, 2014. This exclusion is in accordance with the SEC’s general guidance that a recently acquired business may be omitted from the scope of the assessment in the year of acquisition. MEGA Brands, excluding acquired intangible assets, represented less than 3% of Mattel’s total assets as of December 31, 2014 and less than 5% of Mattel’s total net sales for the year ended December 31, 2014. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that Mattel’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2014. The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Mattel, Inc.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(1) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Mattel, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 8. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

As described in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management has excluded MEGA Brands Inc. (“MEGA Brands”), from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 because MEGA Brands was acquired by the Company in a purchase business combination during 2014. We have also excluded MEGA Brands from our audit of internal control over financial reporting. MEGA Brands is a wholly-owned subsidiary whose total assets and total revenues represent less than 3% and less than 5%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Los Angeles, California

February 25, 2015

 

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MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     December 31,
2014
    December 31,
2013
 
     (In thousands, except share
data)
 

ASSETS

    

Current Assets

    

Cash and equivalents

   $ 971,650      $ 1,039,216   

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $26.3 million and $20.4 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively

     1,093,180        1,260,105   

Inventories

     562,047        568,843   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     559,074        509,829   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     3,185,951        3,377,993   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noncurrent Assets

    

Property, plant, and equipment, net

     737,869        659,333   

Goodwill

     1,393,968        1,083,239   

Other noncurrent assets

     1,404,258        1,319,061   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets

   $ 6,722,046      $ 6,439,626   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current Liabilities

    

Short-term borrowings

   $      $ 4,278   

Accounts payable

     430,259        375,328   

Accrued liabilities

     639,907        640,155   

Income taxes payable

     18,783        27,679   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     1,088,949        1,047,440   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noncurrent Liabilities

    

Long-term debt

     2,100,000        1,600,000   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     584,026        540,627   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total noncurrent liabilities

     2,684,026        2,140,627   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 11)

    

Stockholders’ Equity

    

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

     441,369        441,369   

Additional paid-in capital

     1,767,096        1,784,445   

Treasury stock at cost: 103.3 million shares and 102.1 million shares in 2014 and 2013, respectively

     (2,533,566     (2,448,701

Retained earnings

     3,896,261        3,918,122   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (622,089     (443,676
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     2,949,071        3,251,559   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 6,722,046      $ 6,439,626   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

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MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

     For the Year  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  

Net Sales

   $ 6,023,819      $ 6,484,892      $ 6,420,881   

Cost of sales

     3,022,797        3,006,009        3,011,684   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross Profit

     3,001,022        3,478,883        3,409,197   

Advertising and promotion expenses

     733,243        750,205        717,803   

Other selling and administrative expenses

     1,614,065        1,560,575        1,670,379   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Income

     653,714        1,168,103        1,021,015   

Interest expense

     79,271        78,505        88,835   

Interest (income)

     (7,382     (5,555     (6,841

Other non-operating (income), net

     (5,085     (3,975     (6,024
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income Before Income Taxes

     586,910        1,099,128        945,045   

Provision for income taxes

     88,036        195,184        168,581   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income

   $ 498,874      $ 903,944      $ 776,464   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income Per Common Share—Basic

   $ 1.46      $ 2.61      $ 2.25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares

     339,016        343,394        341,665   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income Per Common Share—Diluted

   $ 1.45      $ 2.58      $ 2.22   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common and potential common shares

     340,768        347,459        346,158   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends Declared Per Common Share

   $ 1.52      $ 1.44      $ 1.24   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

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MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

     For the Year  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (In thousands)  

Net Income

   $ 498,874      $ 903,944      $ 776,464   

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax:

      

Currency translation adjustments

     (189,666     (29,694     27,616   

Defined benefit pension plans net prior service credit (cost) and net actuarial gain (loss)

     (29,561     58,710        (18,258

Net unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments:

      

Unrealized holding gains (losses)

     39,931        (13,103     2,734   

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

     883        4,897        (29,933
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     40,814        (8,206     (27,199
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax

     (178,413     20,810        (17,841
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive Income

   $ 320,461      $ 924,754      $ 758,623   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

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MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     For the Year  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (In thousands)  

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

      

Net income

   $ 498,874      $ 903,944      $ 776,464   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:

      

Depreciation

     207,701        179,333        157,536   

Amortization

     41,000        17,060        16,746   

Asset impairment

            14,000          

Deferred income taxes

     8,142        19,632        (36,183

Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

     (21,187     (50,374     (35,798

Share-based compensation

     51,993        61,651        63,277   

Increase (decrease) from changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquired assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable

     90,285        (48,802     66,999   

Inventories

     43,392        (116,509     34,382   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (25,319     (43,159     (66,401

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and income taxes payable

     (34,653     (201,868     312,634   

Other, net

     28,336        (36,482     (14,006
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows from operating activities

     888,564        698,426        1,275,650   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

      

Purchases of tools, dies, and molds

     (147,236     (128,080     (108,070

Purchases of other property, plant, and equipment

     (113,221     (123,974     (110,978

Payments for acquisition, net of cash acquired

     (423,309            (684,522

(Payments) proceeds from foreign currency forward exchange contracts

     (19,933     12,849        2,964   

Other, net

     (4,853     (2,901     454   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows used for investing activities

     (708,552     (242,106     (900,152
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

      

Payments of short-term borrowings, net

     (4,278     (9,844     (8,018

Proceeds from short-term borrowings, net

            4,278        9,844   

Payments of long-term borrowings

     (44,587     (400,000     (50,000

Proceeds from long-term borrowings, net

     495,459        495,260          

Payment of credit facility renewal costs

            (4,003       

Share repurchases

     (177,162     (492,740     (66,733

Payment of dividends on common stock

     (514,813     (494,371     (423,378

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     43,299        134,506        122,296   

Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

     21,187        50,374        35,798   

Other, net

     (46,424     (23,422     (30,737
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flows used for financing activities

     (227,319     (739,962     (410,928
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of Currency Exchange Rate Changes on Cash

     (20,259     (12,853     2,028   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Decrease in Cash and Equivalents

     (67,566     (296,495     (33,402

Cash and Equivalents at Beginning of Year

     1,039,216        1,335,711        1,369,113   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and Equivalents at End of Year

   $ 971,650      $ 1,039,216      $ 1,335,711   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

      

Cash paid during the year for:

      

Income taxes, gross

   $ 141,964      $ 175,603      $ 159,070   

Interest

     79,122        81,874        88,524   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

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MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

    Common
Stock
    Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Treasury
Stock
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
    Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
    (In thousands)  

Balance, December 31, 2011

  $ 441,369      $ 1,690,405      $ (2,242,522   $ 3,167,996      $ (446,645   $ 2,610,603   

Net income

          776,464          776,464   

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

            (17,841     (17,841

Purchase of treasury stock

        (77,946         (77,946

Issuance of treasury stock for stock option exercises

      (13,702     136,794            123,092   

Issuance of treasury stock for restricted stock units vesting

      (49,385     30,231            (19,154

Deferred compensation

        741        (581       160   

Share-based compensation

      63,277              63,277   

Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

      35,798              35,798   

Dividend equivalents for restricted stock units

      1,289          (5,320       (4,031

Dividends

          (423,378       (423,378
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2012

    441,369        1,727,682        (2,152,702     3,515,181        (464,486     3,067,044   

Net income

          903,944          903,944   

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

            20,810        20,810   

Purchase of treasury stock

        (469,218         (469,218

Issuance of treasury stock for stock option exercises

      (17,531     152,278            134,747   

Issuance of treasury stock for restricted stock units vesting

      (39,293     20,331            (18,962

Deferred compensation

        610        (590       20   

Share-based compensation

      61,651              61,651   

Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

      50,374              50,374   

Dividend equivalents for restricted stock units

      1,562          (6,042       (4,480

Dividends

          (494,371       (494,371
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2013

    441,369        1,784,445        (2,448,701     3,918,122        (443,676     3,251,559   

Net income

          498,874          498,874   

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

            (178,413     (178,413

Purchase of treasury stock

        (177,162         (177,162

Issuance of treasury stock for stock option exercises

      (4,053     46,323            42,270   

Issuance of treasury stock for restricted stock units vesting

      (87,827     45,302            (42,525

Deferred compensation

        672        (543       129   

Share-based compensation

      51,993              51,993   

Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

      21,187              21,187   

Dividend equivalents for restricted stock units

      1,351          (5,379       (4,028

Dividends

          (514,813       (514,813
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2014

  $        441,369      $     1,767,096      $     (2,533,566   $     3,896,261      $ (622,089   $ 2,949,071   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

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MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Preparation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Mattel, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries are consolidated and included in Mattel’s consolidated financial statements. Mattel does not have any minority stock ownership interests in which it has a controlling financial interest that would require consolidation. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Use of Estimates

Preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could ultimately differ from those estimates.

Cash and Equivalents

Cash and equivalents include short-term investments, which are highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased. Such investments are stated at cost, which approximates market value.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Credit is granted to customers on an unsecured basis. Credit limits and payment terms are established based on extensive evaluations made on an ongoing basis throughout the fiscal year of the financial performance, cash generation, financing availability, and liquidity status of each customer. Customers are reviewed at least annually, with more frequent reviews performed as necessary, based on the customers’ financial condition and the level of credit being extended. For customers who are experiencing financial difficulties, management performs additional financial analyses before shipping to those customers on credit. Mattel uses a variety of financial arrangements to ensure collectibility of accounts receivable of customers deemed to be a credit risk, including requiring letters of credit, purchasing various forms of credit insurance with unrelated third parties, factoring, or requiring cash in advance of shipment.

Mattel records an allowance for doubtful accounts based on management’s assessment of the business environment, customers’ financial condition, historical collection experience, accounts receivable aging, and customer disputes.

Inventories

Inventories, net of an allowance for excess quantities and obsolescence, are stated at the lower of cost or market. Inventory allowances are charged to cost of sales and establish a lower cost basis for the inventory. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method.

Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of 10 to 30 years for buildings, 3 to 10 years for machinery and equipment, 3 to 10 years for software, and 10 to 20 years, not to exceed the lease term, for leasehold improvements. Tools, dies, and molds are depreciated using the straight-line method over 3 years.

 

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Estimated useful lives are periodically reviewed and, where appropriate, changes are made prospectively. The carrying value of property, plant, and equipment is reviewed when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Any potential impairment identified is assessed by evaluating the operating performance and future undiscounted cash flows of the underlying assets. When property is sold or retired, the cost of the property and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the consolidated balance sheet, and any resulting gain or loss is included in the results of operations.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill is allocated to various reporting units, which are at the operating segment level, for purposes of evaluating whether goodwill is impaired. Mattel’s reporting units are: (i) North America, (ii) International, and (iii) American Girl. Components of the operating segments have been aggregated into a single reporting unit as the components have similar economic characteristics. The similar economic characteristics include the nature of the products, the nature of the production processes, the customers, and the manner in which the products are distributed. Mattel tests its goodwill for impairment annually in the third quarter and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit may exceed its fair value.

Mattel tests its nonamortizable intangible assets, including trademarks and trade names, for impairment by comparing the estimated fair values of the nonamortizable intangible assets with the carrying values. Mattel tests nonamortizable intangible assets for impairment annually in the third quarter or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may exceed its fair value.

Mattel also tests its amortizable intangible assets, which are primarily comprised of trademarks and trade names, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recovered.

Foreign Currency Translation Exposure

Mattel’s reporting currency is the US dollar. The translation of its net investments in subsidiaries with non-US dollar functional currencies subjects Mattel to the impact of 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 year-end exchange rates. Income, expense, and cash flow items are translated at weighted average exchange rates prevailing during the 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 in 2014 were related to its net investments in entities having functional currencies denominated in the Euro, Mexican peso, British pound sterling, Russian ruble, and Brazilian real.

Foreign Currency Transaction Exposure

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 in the consolidated statement of operations. Gains and losses on unhedged intercompany loans and advances are recorded as a component of other non-operating (income) expense, net in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which the currency exchange rate changes. Inventory transactions denominated in the Euro, British pound sterling, Mexican peso, Brazilian real, and Indonesian rupiah were the primary transactions that caused foreign currency transaction exposure for Mattel in 2014.

 

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Derivative Instruments

Mattel uses foreign currency forward exchange contracts as cash flow hedges primarily to hedge its purchases and sales of inventory denominated in foreign currencies. At the inception of the contracts, Mattel designates these derivatives as cash flow hedges and documents the relationship of the hedge to the underlying transaction. Hedge effectiveness is assessed at inception and throughout the life of the hedge to ensure the hedge qualifies for hedge accounting. Changes in fair value associated with hedge ineffectiveness, if any, are recorded in the results of operations. Changes in fair value of cash flow hedge derivatives are deferred and recorded as part of accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity until the underlying transaction affects earnings. In the event that an anticipated transaction is no longer likely to occur, Mattel recognizes the change in fair value of the derivative in its results of operations in the period the determination is made.

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.

Revenue Recognition and Sales Adjustments

Revenue is recognized upon shipment or upon receipt of products by the customer, depending on the terms, provided that: there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance; persuasive evidence of an agreement exists documenting the specific terms of the transaction; the sales price is fixed or determinable; and collectibility is reasonably assured. Management assesses the business environment, the customer’s financial condition, historical collection experience, accounts receivable aging, and customer disputes to determine whether collectibility is reasonably assured. If collectibility is not considered reasonably assured at the time of sale, Mattel does not recognize revenue until collection occurs. Value added taxes are recorded on a net basis and are excluded from revenue. Mattel routinely enters into arrangements with its customers to provide sales incentives, support customer promotions, and provide allowances for returns and defective merchandise. Such programs are based primarily on customer purchases, customer performance of specified promotional activities, and other specified factors such as sales to consumers. The costs of these programs are recorded as sales adjustments that reduce gross revenue in the period the related revenue is recognized.

Advertising and Promotion Costs

Costs of media advertising are expensed the first time the advertising takes place, except for direct-response advertising, which is capitalized and amortized over its expected period of future benefits. Direct-response advertising consists primarily of catalog production and mailing costs, which are generally amortized within three months from the date the catalogs are mailed.

Product Recalls and Withdrawals

Mattel establishes a reserve for product recalls and withdrawals on a product-specific basis when circumstances giving rise to the recall or withdrawal become known. Facts and circumstances related to the recall or withdrawal, including where the product affected by the recall or withdrawal is located (e.g., with consumers, in customers’ inventory, or in Mattel’s inventory), cost estimates for shipping and handling for returns, cost estimates for communicating the recall or withdrawal to consumers and customers, and cost estimates for parts and labor if the recalled or withdrawn product is deemed to be repairable, are considered when establishing a product recall or withdrawal reserve. These factors are updated and reevaluated each period, and the related reserves are adjusted when these factors indicate that the recall or withdrawal reserve is either not sufficient to cover or exceeds the estimated product recall or withdrawal expenses.

 

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Design and Development Costs

Product design and development costs primarily include employee compensation and outside services and are charged to the results of operations as incurred.

Employee Benefit Plans

Mattel and certain of its subsidiaries have retirement and other postretirement benefit plans covering substantially all employees of these companies. Actuarial valuations are used in determining amounts recognized in the financial statements for certain retirement and other postretirement benefit plans (see “Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Employee Benefit Plans”).

Share-Based Payments

Mattel recognizes the cost of employee share-based payment awards on a straight-line attribution basis over the requisite employee service period, net of estimated forfeitures. In determining when additional tax benefits associated with share-based payment exercises are recognized, Mattel follows the ordering of deductions under the tax law, which allows deductions for share-based payment exercises to be utilized before previously existing net operating loss carryforwards.

Determining the fair value of share-based awards at the measurement date requires judgment, including estimating the expected term that stock options will be outstanding prior to exercise, the associated volatility, and the expected dividends. Mattel estimates the fair value of options granted using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The expected life of the options used in this calculation is the period of time the options are expected to be outstanding and has been determined based on historical exercise experience. Expected stock price volatility is based on the historical volatility of Mattel’s stock for a period approximating the expected life, the expected dividend yield is based on Mattel’s most recent actual annual dividend payout, and the risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield available on US Treasury zero-coupon issues approximating the expected life. Judgment is also required in estimating the amount of share-based awards that will be forfeited prior to vesting.

Income Taxes

Certain income and expense items are accounted for differently for financial reporting and income tax purposes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities, applying enacted statutory income tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.

In the normal course of business, Mattel is regularly audited by federal, state, local, and foreign tax authorities. The ultimate settlement of any particular issue with the applicable taxing authority could have a material impact on Mattel’s consolidated financial statements.

Venezuelan Operations

Since 2010, Mattel has accounted for Venezuela as a highly inflationary economy and, accordingly, Mattel’s Venezuelan subsidiary uses the US dollar as its functional currency. Mattel’s Venezuelan subsidiary has been unable to access US dollars as a result of currency restrictions enacted by the Venezuelan government. These currency restrictions, along with economic and political instability, continue to impact the operating results of Mattel’s Venezuelan subsidiary. In 2014, Mattel’s Venezuelan subsidiary represented less than 0.1% of Mattel’s consolidated net sales in 2014 and had approximately $22 million of net monetary assets denominated in Venezuelan bolivar fuerte as of December 31, 2014. If the Venezuelan bolivar fuerte significantly devalues in the future, or if the economic or political conditions significantly worsen, Mattel may consider ceasing operations of its Venezuelan subsidiary, which could result in a pre-tax charge to its consolidated statement of operations of up to $95 million.

 

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New Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-08, Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which requires that a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The new guidance also requires additional disclosures for discontinued operations to provide more information about the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and cash flows of discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2014 for all new disposals, or new classifications as held for sale, of components of an entity that occur within those years and all businesses that are classified as held for sale that occur within those years. Early application is permitted only for disposals, or classifications as held for sale, that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. Mattel is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-08 on its operating results and financial position.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance establishes a five-step model to achieve that core principle and also requires additional disclosures about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is not permitted. Mattel is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on its operating results and financial position.

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12, Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period, which requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. ASU 2014-12 will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early application is permitted. Mattel is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-12 on its operating results and financial position.

Note 2—Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill is allocated to various reporting units, which are at the operating segment level, for purposes of evaluating whether goodwill is impaired. Mattel’s reporting units are: (i) North America, (ii) International, and (iii) American Girl. Components of the operating segments have been aggregated into a single reporting unit as the components have similar economic characteristics. The similar economic characteristics include the nature of the products, the nature of the production processes, the customers, and the manner in which the products are distributed.

 

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The change in the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment for 2014 and 2013 is shown below. Brand-specific goodwill held by foreign subsidiaries is allocated to the North America and American Girl operating segments selling those brands, thereby causing a foreign currency translation impact for these operating segments.

 

     North America     International     American Girl     Total  
     (In thousands)  

Balance at December 31, 2012

   $ 546,898      $ 320,169      $ 213,731      $ 1,080,798   

Currency exchange rate impact

     697        1,487        257        2,441   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

     547,595        321,656        213,988        1,083,239   

Acquisition

     176,182        144,148               320,330   

Currency exchange rate impact

     (2,264     (6,569     (768     (9,601
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2014

   $ 721,513      $ 459,235      $ 213,220      $ 1,393,968   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

In the third quarter of 2014, Mattel assessed its goodwill for impairment by evaluating qualitative factors for each of its reporting units and determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair values of its reporting units were less than the carrying amounts. As a result of this determination, the quantitative two-step goodwill impairment test was deemed unnecessary. Mattel has not recorded any goodwill impairment charges since it initially adopted the provisions of ASC 350-20, Goodwill.

Acquisition of MEGA Brands Inc.

On April 30, 2014, Mattel acquired MEGA Brands Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada (“MEGA Brands”), pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement dated as of February 27, 2014, between MEGA Brands, Mattel Overseas Operations Ltd., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Bermuda, Mattel-MEGA Holdings Inc., a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada (the “Purchasing Subsidiary”), and, with respect to certain provisions thereof, Mattel (the “Arrangement Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms set forth in the Arrangement Agreement, Mattel indirectly acquired, through the Purchasing Subsidiary, 100% of the issued and outstanding common shares and warrants of MEGA Brands for total cash consideration of $454.9 million, including payment for cash acquired of $31.6 million. The acquisition of MEGA Brands will build upon Mattel’s portfolio of brands by expanding into the construction building sets and arts and crafts categories.

The total purchase consideration was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. As a result of the acquisition, Mattel recognized $95.0 million of identifiable intangible assets (primarily related to trade names and existing product lines), $39.6 million of net assets acquired (which included $31.6 million of cash, $35.3 million of accounts receivable, $83.3 million of inventory, $32.5 million of property, plant, and equipment, $66.6 million of accounts payable and accrued liabilities, $44.6 million of long-term debt, and $31.9 million of other net liabilities), and $320.3 million of goodwill, which is not deductible for tax purposes. The fair values of the identifiable intangible assets related to trade names were based on the relief from royalty method, using Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy, which included forecasted future cash flows, long-term revenue growth rates, royalty rates, and discount rates. The fair values of the identifiable intangible assets related to existing product lines were estimated based on the multi-period excess earnings method, using Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy, which included forecasted future cash flows, long-term revenue growth rates, and discount rates. Goodwill relates to a number of factors built into the purchase price, including the future earnings and cash flow potential of the business, as well as the complementary strategic fit and the resulting synergies it brings to Mattel’s existing operations. Mattel is in the process of finalizing the valuation of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The determination of the final values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed may result in adjustments to the values presented and a corresponding adjustment to goodwill.

During 2014, Mattel recognized approximately $21 million and $7 million of integration costs and transaction costs, respectively. Integration and transaction costs are recorded within other selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The pro forma and actual results of operations for this acquisition have not been presented because they are not material.

 

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Acquisition of HIT Entertainment

On February 1, 2012, Mattel acquired Helium Holdings 1A Ltd, a private limited company existing under the laws of Jersey (“HIT Entertainment”), pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of October 23, 2011, between Mattel’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Mattel Entertainment Holdings Limited, a private limited company existing under the laws of England and Wales (the “Purchasing Sub”), HIT Entertainment’s parent company, HIT Entertainment Scottish Limited Partnership, a limited partnership existing under the laws of Scotland and majority-owned by a consortium of funds led by Apax Partners, LLP and its affiliates (the “Selling Stockholder”) and, with respect to certain provisions thereof, Mattel (the “Purchase Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms set forth in the Purchase Agreement, Mattel indirectly acquired, through the Purchasing Sub, 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of HIT Entertainment from the Selling Stockholder for total cash consideration of $713.5 million, including payment for acquired cash, subject to customary adjustments. HIT Entertainment owns and licenses a diverse portfolio of pre-school entertainment brands, including Thomas & Friends.

The total purchase consideration was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. As a result of the acquisition, Mattel recognized $510.7 million of identifiable intangible assets (primarily related to intellectual property rights), $49.4 million of net liabilities assumed (primarily related to deferred tax liabilities), and $252.2 million of goodwill, which is not deductible for tax purposes. The fair values of the identifiable intangible assets were estimated based on the multi-period excess earnings method, using Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy, which included forecasted future cash flows, long-term revenue growth rates, and the weighted average cost of capital. Goodwill relates to a number of factors built into the purchase price, including the future earnings and cash flow potential of the business, as well as the complementary strategic fit and the resulting synergies it brings to Mattel’s existing operations.

Mattel recognized approximately $5 million and $18 million of integration costs during 2013 and 2012, respectively. During 2012, Mattel recognized approximately $6 million of transaction costs. No integration costs were incurred during 2014, and no transaction costs were incurred during 2014 or 2013. Integration and transaction costs are recorded within other selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The pro forma and actual results of operations for this acquisition have not been presented because they are not material.

Other Intangibles

Identifiable intangibles include the following:

 

     December 31,  
     2014      2013  
     (In thousands)  

Nonamortizable identifiable intangibles

   $ 498,517       $ 504,241   

Identifiable intangibles (net of amortization of $103.6 million and $68.3 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively)

     240,227         176,579   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 738,744       $ 680,820   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

In connection with the acquisition of MEGA Brands during 2014, Mattel recognized $95.0 million of amortizable identifiable intangible assets, primarily related to trade names and existing product lines.

During the second quarter of 2013, Mattel changed its brand strategy for Polly Pocket®, which includes a more focused allocation of resources to support the Polly Pocket brand in specific markets, resulting in a reduction of the forecasted future cash flows of the brand. As a result of the change, Mattel tested the Polly Pocket trade name for impairment. The Polly Pocket trade name, which had a carrying value of approximately $113 million, was previously determined to be a nonamortizable intangible asset. Its fair value was determined to be approximately $99 million based on a discounted cash flow analysis using the multi-period excess earnings

 

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method. Level 3 inputs, including forecasted future cash flows, an estimated useful life, and a discount rate, were used in the valuation. As the fair value of the asset was below the carrying value, Mattel recorded an impairment charge of approximately $14 million, which was reflected within other selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations for the North America and International operating segments during 2013.

In conjunction with the Polly Pocket trade name impairment test, Mattel reassessed the intangible asset’s nonamortizable classification and determined that the nonamortizable classification could no longer be supported. During the second quarter of 2013, the Polly Pocket trade name was reclassified as an amortizable intangible asset, and the remaining fair value of the asset is being amortized over its estimated remaining useful life.

Mattel tests nonamortizable intangible assets, including trademarks and trade names, for impairment annually in the third quarter and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying values may exceed the fair values. During 2014, Mattel performed the annual impairment tests and determined that its nonamortizable intangible assets were not impaired.

Mattel also tests its amortizable intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. Mattel determined that its amortizable intangible assets were not impaired during 2014.

Note 3—Income Taxes

Consolidated pre-tax income consists of the following:

 

                                                  
     For the Year  
     2014      2013      2012  
     (In thousands)  

US operations

   $ 39,149       $ 231,372       $ 104,707   

Foreign operations

     547,761         867,756         840,338   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $    586,910       $ 1,099,128       $    945,045   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The provision (benefit) for current and deferred income taxes consists of the following:

 

                                                  
     For the Year  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (In thousands)  

Current

      

Federal

   $ (25,075   $ 38,227      $ 69,639   

State

     (2,029     6,447        8,660   

Foreign

        106,998        130,878        126,465   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     79,894        175,552        204,764   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred

      

Federal

     21,987        30,342        (26,489

State

     8,233        (512     520   

Foreign

     (22,078     (10,198     (10,214
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     8,142        19,632        (36,183
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

   $ 88,036      $    195,184      $    168,581   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Deferred income taxes are provided principally for tax credit carryforwards, research and development expenses, net operating loss carryforwards, employee compensation-related expenses, and certain other reserves that are recognized in different years for financial statement and income tax reporting purposes. Mattel’s deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are composed of the following:

 

     December 31,  
     2014     2013  
     (In thousands)  

Tax credit carryforwards

   $ 54,674      $ 77,396   

Research and development expenses

     189,694        187,477   

Loss carryforwards

     172,347        124,201   

Allowances and reserves

     233,434        202,141   

Deferred compensation

     91,530        111,850   

Postretirement benefits

     50,235        37,479   

Intangible assets

     30,803          

Other

     68,604        66,599   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross deferred income tax assets

     891,321        807,143   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intangible assets

     (298,444     (282,737

Other

     (3,868     (5,555
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross deferred income tax liabilities

     (302,312     (288,292
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred income tax asset valuation allowances

     (133,297     (64,641
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred income tax assets

   $ 455,712      $ 454,210   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The table of deferred tax assets and liabilities as shown above does not include $4.6 million of deferred tax assets for net operating losses as of December 31, 2013 that arose directly from tax deductions attributable to windfall income tax benefits. In 2014, these deferred tax assets were realized and additional paid-in-capital was increased by $4.6 million. Mattel uses tax law ordering when determining when excess tax benefits have been realized.

Net deferred income tax assets are reported in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:

 

     December 31,  
     2014     2013  
     (In thousands)  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   $ 195,841      $ 195,872   

Other noncurrent assets

     385,434        373,638   

Accrued liabilities

     (181     (109

Other noncurrent liabilities

     (125,382     (115,191
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   $ 455,712      $ 454,210   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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As of December 31, 2014, Mattel has federal and foreign loss carryforwards totaling $869.9 million and tax credit carryforwards of $72.5 million, which excludes carryforwards that do not meet the threshold for recognition in the financial statements. Utilization of these loss and tax credit carryforwards is subject to annual limitations. Mattel’s loss and tax credit carryforwards expire in the following periods:

 

     Loss
Carryforwards
     Tax Credit
Carryforwards
 
     (In thousands)  

2015 – 2019

   $ 251,698       $ 25,620   

Thereafter

     376,764         42,890   

No expiration date

     241,478         3,959   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 869,940       $ 72,469   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Management considered all available evidence under existing tax law and anticipated expiration of tax statutes and determined that a valuation allowance of $92.6 million was required as of December 31, 2014 for those loss and tax credit carryforwards that are not expected to provide future tax benefits. In addition, management determined that a valuation allowance of $40.7 million was required as of December 31, 2014 for those deferred tax assets for which there is not sufficient evidence as to their ultimate utilization, primarily related to certain foreign affiliates. Changes in the valuation allowance for 2014 primarily relate to (1) increases in the valuation allowance related to certain MEGA Brands losses and deferred tax assets, 2014 foreign losses without benefits, and for certain deferred tax assets and (2) decreases in the valuation allowance for expirations and projected utilization of tax loss and tax credit carryforwards. Management believes it is more-likely-than-not (a greater than 50 percent likelihood) that Mattel will generate sufficient taxable income in the appropriate future periods to realize the benefit of the remaining net deferred income tax assets of $455.7 million. Changes in enacted tax laws, audits in various jurisdictions around the world, settlements, or acquisitions could negatively impact Mattel’s ability to fully realize all of the benefits of its remaining net deferred tax assets.

Differences between the provision for income taxes at the US federal statutory income tax rate and the provision in the consolidated statements of operations are as follows:

 

     For the Year  
     2014     2013     2012  
     (In thousands)  

Provision at US federal statutory rate

   $ 205,419      $ 384,695      $ 330,766   

(Decrease) increase resulting from:

      

Foreign earnings taxed at different rates, including withholding taxes