Second Quarter Highlights
. Worldwide net sales down 19 percent;
. Domestic gross sales down 12 percent and international gross sales down 26 percent;
. Worldwide gross sales for core brands: Barbie® down 15 percent; Hot Wheels® down; 10 percent; Core Fisher-Price® down 13 percent and American Girl® brands flat;
. Gross margin increased 70 basis points of net sales; SG&A increased 30 basis points of net sales;
. Operating income of $32.5 million compared to operating income of $30.6 million in the second quarter of 2008; and
. Earnings per share of $0.06 vs. prior year earnings per share of $0.03.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., July 17, 2009 - Mattel, Inc. (NYSE: MAT) today reported 2009 second quarter financial results. For the quarter, the company reported net income of $21.5 million, or $0.06 per share, compared to last year's second quarter net income of $11.8 million, or $0.03 per share.

"In light of the challenging global economy, the quarter's results met our expectations, with revenues negatively impacted largely by our lack of toys based on summer entertainment properties as well as foreign exchange rates," said Robert A. Eckert, chairman and chief executive officer of Mattel. "That said, we are pleased with our ability to deliver on what is in our control, including tightly managing expenses, which has resulted in improved margins, profitability and cash flow for the quarter."

Financial Overview
For the quarter, net sales were $898.2 million, down 19 percent compared to $1.11 billion last year, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 5 percentage points. On a regional basis, second quarter gross sales decreased 12 percent in the U.S. and decreased 26 percent in international markets, including unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates of 10 percentage points. Operating income for the quarter was $32.5 million, compared to prior year's operating income for the quarter of $30.6 million.

The company's debt-to-total-capital ratio was 32.7 percent. Consistent with the seasonality of the business, year-to-date, net cash flow used for operating activities was approximately $350 million, an improvement of $180 million, compared with a use of approximately $530 million in the first half of 2008.

Sales by Business Unit
Mattel Girls and Boys Brands
For the second quarter, worldwide gross sales for the Mattel Girls & Boys Brands business unit were $540.6 million, down 25 percent versus a year ago. Worldwide gross sales for the Barbie® brand were down 15 percent, driven primarily by lower international sales. Barbie® retail sales trends continue to be strong. Worldwide gross sales for Other Girls Brands were down 23 percent, driven by declines in the High School Musical™ and Polly Pocket® doll lines. Worldwide gross sales for the Wheels category, which includes the Hot Wheels®, Matchbox® and Tyco R/C® brands, were down 28 percent, driven primarily by declines in products related to last year's Speed Racer® movie. Worldwide gross sales for the Entertainment business, which includes Radica® and Games and Puzzles, were down 32 percent for the quarter, driven by the lack of toys based on summer entertainment properties compared to last year.

Fisher-Price Brands
Second quarter worldwide gross sales for the Fisher-Price Brands business unit, which includes the Fisher-Price® Core, Fisher-Price® Friends and Power Wheels® brands, were $369.9 million, or down 14 percent versus the prior year, primarily due to declines in Fisher-Price® Core.

American Girl Brands
Second quarter gross sales for the American Girl Brands business unit, which offers American Girl® branded products directly to consumers, were $61.0 million, flat versus last year.