Mattel (MAT-Q)

Not too long ago this company was on their short list. They are in trouble. They blown up their balance sheet and the returns are terrible. Hasbro (HAS-Q) has put up a potential bid out there and it would make a lot of sense. Your best hope is that buyout. It’s too risky. Maybe they will just wait for them to go bankrupt and pick the assets. They are really not in great shape.

(A Top Pick Feb 9/17. Down 38%.) This has been a dog this year. One problem is e-commerce on big box stores. Also, they have new management that is still trying to correct their brands and turn around sales. The new CEO is a former Google executive, and is bringing in a completely different attitude and vision to the toy industry. Barbie, American Girl and Fisher-Price have great brand power, and should and could be used better in a digital world where the company can earn more money.

Consumer discretionary is just ugly out there. It really needs to hold this level. EBV+3 is $15.03, and this closed at $15.57. His model price is only $15.81. This company needs a good Christmas season.

Has a small Short on this. It scores right at the bottom of the pack on price momentum. They are also at the bottom on valuation and volatility. An expensive stock trading at 3.2X. Had a big miss on earnings recently. The balance sheet is okay. Dividend yield of 3%.

(A Top Pick Feb 9/17. Down 11%.) This was a tough retail environment. Less foot traffic to the stores has hurt sales. They’ve had to pay up for shelf space. However, he is sticking with the thesis. You are still getting a big dividend is 6.7%. Stock is trading at only 12X earnings. They own very valuable franchises.

Kids today no longer play with their previously manufactured toys. User preferences have changed. Doesn’t think the dividend is safe.

It goes in very long waves. It is about very long cycles. It will take a number of years for MAT-N to come back again.