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Mattel Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 5 lowered, 1 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Net Sales rose 4% as reported: Net Sales were $1,807 million, up 4% as reported and 3% in constant currency. Net Income was $354 million, up $75 million, and Adjusted EBITDA was $542.5 million, up 16%. Source
  • Tariff refunds lifted gross margin: Gross Margin was 54.8% versus 50.0%, and Adjusted Gross Margin was 55.0% versus 50.2%. The improvement was primarily driven by $88 million of tariff refunds received. Source
  • Operating income rose $96 million: Operating Income was $476 million, up $96 million, and Adjusted Operating Income was $502 million, up $106 million. Higher Gross Profit was partly offset by higher Advertising expenses. Source
  • Net Sales growth range cut: Constant-currency Net Sales growth is now expected at 1% to 4%, against the prior 3% to 6%. Source
  • Adjusted Operating Income range cut: Adjusted Operating Income is now expected at $500 million to $570 million, against $580 million to $630 million previously. Source
  • Roger Lynch now leads Mattel: Roger Lynch is Chairman and CEO. His first few weeks in the role are described as having reinforced his belief in the company's potential. Source
  • Steve Totzke named President and COO: Steve Totzke was named President and Chief Operating Officer. Source

“My first few weeks leading Mattel have reinforced my belief in the company’s potential. I also see clearly where we must improve.”

Roger Lynch, Chairman and CEO of Mattel

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Net Sales growth (constant currency) SourceFull year 20261% to 4%Lowered from +3% to 6%
Adjusted Gross Margin SourceFull year 2026roughly 48%Lowered from Approx. 50%
Adjusted Operating Income SourceFull year 2026$500 million to $570 millionLowered from $580 - $630
Adjusted EPS SourceFull year 2026$1.05 - $1.20Lowered from $1.27 - $1.39
Adjusted tax rate SourceFull year 2026roughly 23%Lowered from Approx. 24%
Foreign exchange effect on Net Sales SourceFull year 2026roughly 1% benefitNew

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Full-year constant-currency Net Sales growth range was cut to 1% to 4% from 3% to 6%. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year Adjusted Gross Margin was cut to roughly 48% from approximately 50%. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year Adjusted Operating Income range was cut to $500 million to $570 million from $580 million to $630 million. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year Adjusted EPS range was cut to $1.05 to $1.20 from $1.27 to $1.39. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year adjusted tax rate guidance moved to roughly 23% from approximately 24%. Source
  • New guidance: A roughly 1% foreign exchange benefit on full-year Net Sales at current spot rates is now included in guidance. Source
  • New: Roger Lynch is named Chairman and CEO of Mattel and speaks as the company's leader in this release. Source
  • New: Steve Totzke is named President and Chief Operating Officer. Source
  • Ended: The release cites the departure of the former Chief Executive Officer; the prior release named Ynon Kreiz as Chairman and CEO. Source

Results and profit drivers

  • Net Sales rose 4% as reported: Net Sales were $1,807 million, up 4% as reported and 3% in constant currency. Net Income was $354 million, up $75 million, and Adjusted EBITDA was $542.5 million, up 16%. Source
  • Tariff refunds lifted gross margin: Gross Margin was 54.8% versus 50.0%, and Adjusted Gross Margin was 55.0% versus 50.2%. The improvement was primarily driven by $88 million of tariff refunds received. Source
  • Operating income rose $96 million: Operating Income was $476 million, up $96 million, and Adjusted Operating Income was $502 million, up $106 million. Higher Gross Profit was partly offset by higher Advertising expenses. Source
  • Diluted EPS reached $1.23: Diluted EPS was $1.23 compared with $0.88, and Adjusted EPS was $1.30 compared with $0.91. Diluted weighted-average shares were 286.8 million, down from 318.1 million. Source
  • Nine-month Adjusted Operating Income fell: For the nine months, Net Sales were $3,794.2 million, up 6%, and Adjusted Operating Income was $470.0 million, down 3% from $483.2 million. Source

Segments and regions

  • North America and International both grew: North America Net Sales were $1,014.0 million, up 4%. International Net Sales were $792.7 million, up 5% as reported and 3% in constant currency. Source
  • Asia Pacific and EMEA grew: Asia Pacific Net Sales rose 17% as reported and 15% in constant currency. EMEA rose 2% as reported and 3% in constant currency. Source
  • Latin America fell in constant currency: Latin America Net Sales were $240.4 million, up 4% as reported and down 3% in constant currency. Source

“Our priorities are clear: strengthen our brands and win in toys, drive innovation and creativity, and invest with discipline to drive profitable growth.”

Roger Lynch, Chairman and CEO of Mattel

Products and brands

  • Vehicles led category growth: Vehicles Gross Billings were $680 million, up 9% as reported, driven mainly by Hot Wheels. Hot Wheels Gross Billings were $585.5 million, up 7% as reported. Source
  • Action Figures and Games grew 12%: Action Figures, Building Sets, Games, and Other Gross Billings were $451 million, up 12%, with Games including Mattel163 and Action Figures as the drivers. Source
  • Dolls rose on partner brands: Dolls Gross Billings were $703 million, up 4%. Partner brands, including KPop Demon Hunters, offset a decline in Barbie. Source
  • Infant, toddler and preschool declined: Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Gross Billings were $221 million, down 16% as reported, primarily due to Fisher-Price. Source
  • Barbie and Fisher-Price billings fell: Barbie Gross Billings were $374.6 million, down 9%. Fisher-Price were $186.2 million, down 14%. Other brands were $908.4 million, up 15%. Source

Costs and margins

  • Advertising rose 21%: Advertising and Promotion Expenses were $143.3 million, or 7.9% of Net Sales, up from $118.1 million, or 6.8%. Source
  • Other selling and administrative costs flat: Other Selling and Administrative Expenses were $370.0 million, flat as reported, at 20.5% of Net Sales against 21.3%. On an adjusted basis they fell 2% to $349.2 million. Source
  • Inflation and royalties offset benefits: Gross Profit gains came despite inflation and higher royalties, which more than offset benefits from Mattel163, cost savings and favorable foreign exchange. Source
  • Tax rate fell to 21%: The reported tax rate was 21% against 24% a year earlier. The adjusted tax rate was 22% against 24%. Source
  • Share-based compensation reversal recorded: Share-based compensation for the quarter includes a reversal tied to expected forfeiture of unvested awards after the former CEO's departure. Source

Cash, debt and share repurchases

  • Operating cash use narrowed: Nine-month operating cash use was $114 million against $203 million, mainly on favorable working capital, partly offset by lower Net Income excluding non-cash items. Source
  • Free cash flow stayed negative: Nine-month free cash flow was negative $299.8 million against negative $328.2 million, with capital expenditures of $186.3 million against $124.9 million. Source
  • Mattel163 drove investing outflow: Investing outflows were $250 million against $98 million, reflecting cash paid for Mattel163 net of cash acquired and higher capital expenditures. Source
  • Net debt rose to $1.79 billion: Net Debt was $1,793.6 million at September 30, 2026, against $1,645.7 million a year earlier. Source
  • $308 million repurchased in nine months: Share repurchases in the first nine months totalled $308 million, against $412 million a year earlier. Source
  • About $1.2 billion of authorization left: About $1.2 billion of the $1.5 billion share repurchase authorization remained available at September 30, 2026. Source

Full-year 2026 guidance

  • Net Sales growth range cut: Constant-currency Net Sales growth is now expected at 1% to 4%, against the prior 3% to 6%. Source
  • Adjusted Operating Income range cut: Adjusted Operating Income is now expected at $500 million to $570 million, against $580 million to $630 million previously. Source
  • Adjusted EPS range cut: Adjusted EPS is now expected at $1.05 to $1.20, against $1.27 to $1.39 previously. Source
  • Adjusted gross margin near 48%: Adjusted Gross Margin is now expected at roughly 48%, against approximately 50% previously. Source
  • Currency benefit and tax rate assumed: Foreign exchange is expected to add roughly 1% to full-year Net Sales at spot rates. The adjusted tax rate is expected at roughly 23%, against about 24% before. Source
  • Guidance excludes tariff refunds: Revised guidance excludes tariff refunds recognized year to date, and any further refunds recognized in the remainder of 2026. Source

Strategy and leadership

  • Roger Lynch now leads Mattel: Roger Lynch is Chairman and CEO. His first few weeks in the role are described as having reinforced his belief in the company's potential. Source
  • Steve Totzke named President and COO: Steve Totzke was named President and Chief Operating Officer. Source
  • Three priorities set for the company: The stated priorities are to strengthen brands and win in toys, drive innovation and creativity, and invest with discipline for profitable growth. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 November 2026

  • Form 10-Q to finalize results: Results are preliminary until the Form 10-Q is filed with the SEC, and actual results may differ. Source
  • Possible further tariff refunds: Additional tariff refunds may be recognized in the remainder of 2026. Guidance excludes them. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Worldwide Gross Billings Source$2,054.6 million, up 4% as reported and in constant currency
Hot Wheels Gross Billings Source$585.5 million, up 7% as reported
Days sales outstanding Source70 days, against 72 days a year earlier

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.