Hasbro says sales of action figures and other toys aimed at boys and strong entertainment and licensing revenue helped push its fourth-quarter profit sharply higher.
The No. 2 U.S. toy maker also gave a solid 2010 forecast, saying sales and earnings per share should grow this year.
Hasbro's profit surged 77 percent to $165.6 million, or $1.09 per share, in the quarter ended Dec. 27, easily beating analysts' 81 cents-per-share estimate.
Sales climbed 12 percent to $1.38 billion, topping Wall Street's estimate of $1.34 billion.
The fourth quarter is key for toy makers since it contains the holiday period and can make up to half of the quarter's sales.
Hasbro is based in Pawtucket, R.I.
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