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HASBRO, INC. - Quarter Report: 2015 June (Form 10-Q)

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C.   20549
_________________

FORM 10-Q
______________
(Mark One)

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 28, 2015
¨  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number 1-6682
_______________

HASBRO, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Rhode Island
05-0155090
(State of Incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1027 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket, Rhode Island  02861
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)
 
(401) 431-8697
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

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 R No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes R No 

Indicate by check mark whether the 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  R
Accelerated filer 
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) 
Smaller reporting Company

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).         Yes  No  R

The number of shares of Common Stock, par value $.50 per share, outstanding as of July 20, 2015 was 124,902,730.


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.


HASBRO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Thousands of Dollars Except Share Data)
(Unaudited)
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
December 28, 2014
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
858,458
     
586,151
     
893,167
 
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $16,300 $20,700 and $15,900
   
709,437
     
738,899
     
1,094,673
 
Inventories
   
403,789
     
492,822
     
339,572
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
434,145
     
386,333
     
391,688
 
Total current assets
   
2,405,829
     
2,204,205
     
2,719,100
 
                         
Property, plant and equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $359,300, $512,200 and $508,600
   
225,911
     
236,881
     
237,489
 
                         
Other assets
                       
Goodwill
   
592,802
     
594,320
     
593,438
 
Other intangibles, net, accumulated amortization of $823,800, $770,100 and $797,500
   
298,231
     
350,705
     
324,528
 
Other
   
708,334
     
752,484
     
657,587
 
Total other assets
   
1,599,367
     
1,697,509
     
1,575,553
 
                         
Total assets
 
$
4,231,107
     
4,138,595
     
4,532,142
 

HASBRO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)
(Thousands of Dollars Except Share Data)
(Unaudited)

LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
December 28, 2014
 
Current liabilities
           
Short-term borrowings
 
$
167,877
     
9,188
     
252,481
 
Accounts payable
   
185,631
     
207,526
     
212,549
 
Accrued liabilities
   
452,395
     
507,978
     
609,904
 
Total current liabilities
   
805,903
     
724,692
     
1,074,934
 
                         
Long-term debt
   
1,559,895
     
1,559,895
     
1,559,895
 
Other liabilities
   
395,417
     
357,766
     
388,919
 
Total liabilities
   
2,761,215
     
2,642,353
     
3,023,748
 
                         
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
   
41,387
     
44,194
     
42,730
 
                         
Shareholders' equity
                       
Preference stock of $2.50 par value. Authorized 5,000,000 shares; none issued
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Common stock of $.50 par value. Authorized 600,000,000 shares; issued 209,694,630
   
104,847
     
104,847
     
104,847
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
850,582
     
767,595
     
806,265
 
Retained earnings
   
3,583,803
     
3,387,006
     
3,630,072
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(103,476
)
   
(51,784
)
   
(95,454
)
Treasury stock, at cost; 84,781,723 shares at June 28, 2015; 81,767,695 shares at June 29, 2014; and 85,168,478 shares at December 28, 2014
   
(3,007,251
)
   
(2,755,616
)
   
(2,980,066
)
Total shareholders' equity
   
1,428,505
     
1,452,048
     
1,465,664
 
                         
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and shareholders' equity
 
$
4,231,107
     
4,138,595
     
4,532,142
 

See accompanying condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.









HASBRO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Thousands of Dollars Except Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)

   
Quarter Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
 
Net revenues
 
$
797,658
     
829,262
     
1,511,158
     
1,508,715
 
Costs and expenses:
                               
Cost of sales
   
295,399
     
320,336
     
543,134
     
578,881
 
Royalties
   
57,069
     
70,533
     
116,158
     
120,114
 
Product development
   
57,609
     
51,707
     
109,506
     
98,964
 
Advertising
   
78,365
     
81,693
     
146,107
     
148,952
 
Amortization of intangibles
   
13,348
     
11,892
     
26,299
     
25,294
 
Program production cost amortization
   
7,220
     
6,710
     
18,316
     
11,368
 
Selling, distribution and administration
   
213,148
     
203,827
     
421,933
     
399,130
 
Total costs and expenses
   
722,158
     
746,698
     
1,381,453
     
1,382,703
 
Operating profit
   
75,500
     
82,564
     
129,705
     
126,012
 
Non-operating (income) expense:
                               
Interest expense
   
24,186
     
22,802
     
48,771
     
45,230
 
Interest income
   
(690
)
   
(1,165
)
   
(1,620
)
   
(2,491
)
Other income, net
   
(1,642
)
   
(3,590
)
   
(5,407
)
   
(7,239
)
Total non-operating expense, net
   
21,854
     
18,047
     
41,744
     
35,500
 
Earnings before income taxes
   
53,646
     
64,517
     
87,961
     
90,512
 
Income tax expense
   
13,364
     
31,697
     
21,858
     
26,178
 
Net earnings
   
40,282
     
32,820
     
66,103
     
64,334
 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
   
(1,527
)
   
(655
)
   
(2,373
)
   
(1,228
)
Net earnings attributable to Hasbro, Inc.
 
$
41,809
     
33,475
     
68,476
     
65,562
 
                                 
                                 
Net earnings attributable to Hasbro, Inc. per common share:
                               
Basic
 
$
0.33
     
0.26
     
0.55
     
0.50
 
Diluted
 
$
0.33
     
0.26
     
0.54
     
0.50
 
Cash dividends declared per common share
 
$
0.46
     
0.43
     
0.92
     
0.86
 

See accompanying condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.



HASBRO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

   
Quarter Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
 
Net earnings
 
$
40,282
     
32,820
     
66,103
     
64,334
 
Other comprehensive earnings (loss):
                               
Foreign currency translation adjustments
   
642
     
6,336
     
(46,669
)
   
4,042
 
Net (losses) gains on cash flow hedging activities, net of tax
   
(9,672
)
   
(11,689
)
   
52,628
     
(27,840
)
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
   
715
     
1,282
     
941
     
3,525
 
Reclassifications to earnings, net of tax:
                               
Net (gains) losses on cash flow hedging activities
   
(9,458
)
   
286
     
(17,419
)
   
1,524
 
Unrecognized pension and postretirement amounts
   
1,293
     
566
     
2,497
     
1,100
 
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax
   
(16,480
)
   
(3,219
)
   
(8,022
)
   
(17,649
)
Comprehensive earnings
   
23,802
     
29,601
     
58,081
     
46,685
 
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
   
(1,527
)
   
(655
)
   
(2,373
)
   
(1,228
)
Comprehensive earnings attributable to Hasbro, Inc.
 
$
25,329
     
30,256
     
60,454
     
47,913
 

See accompanying condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.


HASBRO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Thousands of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
       
Net earnings
 
$
66,103
     
64,334
 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation of plant and equipment
   
50,749
     
50,078
 
Amortization of intangibles
   
26,299
     
25,294
 
Program production cost amortization
   
18,316
     
11,368
 
Deferred income taxes
   
(5,234
)
   
(2,613
)
Stock-based compensation
   
21,714
     
17,850
 
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Decrease in accounts receivable
   
333,467
     
342,413
 
Increase in inventories
   
(100,563
)
   
(143,102
)
Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other current assets
   
435
     
(1,019
)
Program production costs
   
(21,557
)
   
(15,818
)
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
(162,483
)
   
(217,617
)
Other
   
8,858
     
(21,898
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
236,104
     
109,270
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Additions to property, plant and equipment
   
(67,709
)
   
(51,636
)
Investments and acquisitions, net of cash acquired
   
(3,000
)
   
-
 
Other
   
11,706
     
(1,028
)
Net cash utilized by investing activities
   
(59,003
)
   
(52,664
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Net proceeds from borrowings with maturity greater than three months
   
-
     
559,986
 
Repayments of borrowings with maturity greater than three months
   
-
     
(425,000
)
Net (repayments of) proceeds from other short-term borrowings
   
(84,420
)
   
1,430
 
Purchases of common stock
   
(49,156
)
   
(213,935
)
Stock option transactions
   
34,297
     
26,776
 
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
   
7,947
     
4,693
 
Dividends paid
   
(110,902
)
   
(108,097
)
Other
   
(81
)
   
-
 
Net cash utilized by financing activities
   
(202,315
)
   
(154,147
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
   
(9,495
)
   
1,243
 
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
   
(34,709
)
   
(96,298
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
   
893,167
     
682,449
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
858,458
     
586,151
 
                 
Supplemental information
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
Interest
 
$
43,977
     
51,023
 
Income taxes
 
$
36,727
     
41,905
 

See accompanying condensed notes to consolidated financial statements.


HASBRO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Thousands of Dollars and Shares Except Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)


(1) Basis of Presentation

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim financial statements contain all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of Hasbro, Inc. and all majority-owned subsidiaries ("Hasbro" or the "Company") as of June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014, and the results of its operations and cash flows for the periods then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and notes thereto. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The quarters ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 are each 13-week periods. The six-month periods ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 are each 26-week periods.

The results of operations for the quarter and six-month periods ended June 28, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year, nor were those of the comparable 2014 periods representative of those actually experienced for the full year 2014.

These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Certain information and disclosures normally included in the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  The Company filed audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014 in its Annual Report on Form 10-K, which includes all such information and disclosures and, accordingly, should be read in conjunction with the financial information included herein.

The Company's accounting policies are the same as those described in Note 1 to the Company's consolidated financial statements in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014.


(2) Earnings Per Share

Net earnings per share data for the quarter and six-month periods ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 were computed as follows:

   
2015
   
2014
 
Quarter
 
Basic
   
Diluted
   
Basic
   
Diluted
 
Net earnings attributable to Hasbro, Inc.
 
$
41,809
     
41,809
     
33,475
     
33,475
 
                                 
Average shares outstanding
   
125,093
     
125,093
     
129,381
     
129,381
 
Effect of dilutive securities:
                               
Options and other share-based awards
   
-
     
1,713
     
-
     
1,549
 
Equivalent Shares
   
125,093
     
126,806
     
129,381
     
130,930
 
                                 
Net earnings attributable to Hasbro, Inc. per common share
 
$
0.33
     
0.33
     
0.26
     
0.26
 

   
2015
   
2014
 
Six Months
 
Basic
   
Diluted
   
Basic
   
Diluted
 
Net earnings attributable to Hasbro, Inc.
 
$
68,476
     
68,476
     
65,562
     
65,562
 
                                 
Average shares outstanding
   
124,973
     
124,973
     
130,306
     
130,306
 
Effect of dilutive securities:
                               
Options and other share-based awards
   
-
     
1,601
     
-
     
1,525
 
Equivalent Shares
   
124,973
     
126,574
     
130,306
     
131,831
 
                                 
Net earnings attributable to Hasbro, Inc. per common share
 
$
0.55
     
0.54
     
0.50
     
0.50
 


For the quarter ended June 28, 2015, no options or restricted stock units were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as none were antidilutive.  For the quarter ended June 29, 2014, options and restricted stock units totaling 674, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because to include them would have been antidilutive. For the six-month periods ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014, options and restricted stock units totaling 391 and 675, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because to include them would have been antidilutive.

(3) Other Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)

Components of other comprehensive earnings (loss) are presented within the consolidated statements of comprehensive earnings. The following table presents the related tax effects on changes in other comprehensive earnings (loss) for the quarter and six-month periods ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014.

   
Quarter Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
 
                 
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), tax effect:
               
Tax benefit (expense) on cash flow hedging activities
 
$
853
     
5,437
     
(3,962
)
   
14,911
 
Tax expense on unrealized holding gains
   
(408
)
   
(727
)
   
(536
)
   
(1,999
)
Reclassifications to earnings, tax effect:
                               
   Tax expense (benefit) on cash flow hedging activities
   
708
     
(119
)
   
1,050
     
(342
)
   Tax benefit on unrecognized pension and postretirement amounts reclassified to the consolidated statements of operations
   
(596
)
   
(321
)
   
(1,280
)
   
(624
)
                                 
Total tax effect on other comprehensive earnings (loss)
 
$
557
     
4,270
     
(4,728
)
   
11,946
 




Changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the six months ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 are as follows:

   
Pension and Postretirement Amounts
   
Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments
   
Unrealized Holding Gains on Available-for-Sale Securities
   
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
   
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
2015
                   
Balance at Dec. 28, 2014
 
$
(113,092
)
   
43,689
     
1,900
     
(27,951
)
   
(95,454
)
Current period other comprehensive earnings (loss)
   
2,497
     
35,209
     
941
     
(46,669
)
   
(8,022
)
Balance at June 28, 2015
 
$
(110,595
)
   
78,898
     
2,841
     
(74,620
)
   
(103,476
)
                                         
2014
                                       
Balance at Dec. 29, 2013
 
$
(64,841
)
   
(7,313
)
   
-
     
38,019
     
(34,135
)
Current period other comprehensive earnings (loss)
   
1,100
     
(26,316
)
   
3,525
     
4,042
     
(17,649
)
Balance at June 29, 2014
 
$
(63,741
)
   
(33,629
)
   
3,525
     
42,061
     
(51,784
)

At June 28, 2015, the Company had remaining net deferred gains on foreign currency forward contracts, net of tax, of $98,835 in accumulated other comprehensive loss ("AOCE"). These instruments hedge payments related to inventory purchased in the second quarter of 2015 or forecasted to be purchased during the remainder of 2015 and, to a lesser extent, 2016 through 2020, intercompany expenses expected to be paid or received during 2015 and 2016, cash receipts for sales made at the end of the second quarter of 2015 or forecasted to be made in the remainder of 2015 and, to a lesser extent, 2016 through 2017. These amounts will be reclassified into the consolidated statements of operations upon the sale of the related inventory or recognition of the related sales or expenses. 

In addition to foreign currency forward contracts, the Company entered into hedging contracts on future interest payments related to the long-term notes due 2021 and 2044.  At the date of debt issuance, these contracts were terminated and the fair value on the date of settlement was deferred in AOCE and is being amortized to interest expense over the life of the related notes using the effective interest rate method. At June 28, 2015, deferred losses, net of tax of $19,937 related to these instruments remained in AOCE. For the quarter and six months ended June 28, 2015, losses of $449 and $889, respectively, were reclassified from AOCE to net earnings.  For both the quarter and six months ended June 29, 2014, losses of $257 were reclassified from AOCE to net earnings.

Of the amount included in AOCE at June 28, 2015, the Company expects approximately $46,129 to be reclassified to the consolidated statements of operations within the next 12 months. However, the amount ultimately realized in earnings is dependent on the fair value of the hedging instruments on the settlement dates.

(4) Financial Instruments

The Company's financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, short-term borrowings, accounts payable and certain accrued liabilities. At June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and December 28, 2014, the carrying cost of these instruments approximated their fair value. The Company's financial instruments at June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and December 28, 2014 also include certain assets and liabilities measured at fair value (see Notes 6 and 8) as well as long-term borrowings. The carrying costs which are equal to the outstanding principal amounts, and fair values of the Company's long-term borrowings as of June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and December 28, 2014 are as follows:

   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
December 28, 2014
 
   
Carrying
Cost
   
Fair
Value
   
Carrying
Cost
   
Fair
Value
   
Carrying
Cost
   
Fair
Value
 
6.35% Notes Due 2040
 
$
500,000
     
557,450
     
500,000
     
587,350
     
500,000
     
617,700
 
6.30% Notes Due 2017
   
350,000
     
382,235
     
350,000
     
396,725
     
350,000
     
387,660
 
5.10% Notes Due 2044
   
300,000
     
287,010
     
300,000
     
307,950
     
300,000
     
316,980
 
3.15% Notes Due 2021
   
300,000
     
301,800
     
300,000
     
300,330
     
300,000
     
302,700
 
6.60% Debentures Due 2028
   
109,895
     
121,115
     
109,895
     
124,687
     
109,895
     
128,698
 
Total long-term debt
 
$
1,559,895
     
1,649,610
     
1,559,895
     
1,717,042
     
1,559,895
     
1,753,738
 



In May 2014, the Company issued $600,000 in long-term debt which consists of $300,000 of 3.15% Notes Due in 2021 and $300,000 of 5.10% Notes Due in 2044 (collectively, the "Notes").  The Company may redeem the Notes at its option at the greater of the principal amount of the Notes or the present value of the remaining scheduled payments discounted using the effective interest rate on applicable U.S. Treasury bills at the time of repurchase.

The fair values of the Company's long-term debt are considered Level 3 fair values (see Note 6 for further discussion of the fair value hierarchy) and are measured using the discounted future cash flows method. In addition to the debt terms, the valuation methodology includes an assumption of a discount rate that approximates the current yield on a similar debt security. This assumption is considered an unobservable input in that it reflects the Company's own assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The Company believes that this is the best information available for use in the fair value measurement.

(5) Income Taxes

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the United States and various state and international jurisdictions. In the normal course of business, the Company is regularly audited by U.S. federal, state and local and international tax authorities in various tax jurisdictions.

The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for years before 2013. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S., state or local and non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities in its major jurisdictions for years before 2009. The Company is currently under income tax examination in several U.S., state and local and non-U.S. jurisdictions.

(6) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company measures certain financial instruments at fair value. The fair value hierarchy consists of three levels: Level 1 fair values are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access; Level 2 fair values are those based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and Level 3 fair values are based on inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Accounting standards permit entities to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value and establish presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar assets and liabilities. The Company has elected the fair value option for certain available-for-sale investments. At June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and December 28, 2014, these investments totaled $32,766, $33,528 and $23,560, respectively, and are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company recorded net losses of $87 and $70 on these investments in other (income) expense, net for the quarter and six-months ended June 28, 2015, respectively, related to the change in fair value of such instruments.  For the quarter and six-month periods ended June 29, 2014 the Company recorded net gains of $1,063 and $2,240, respectively, in other (income) expense, net, related to the change in fair value of such instruments.


At June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and December 28, 2014, the Company had the following assets and liabilities measured at fair value in its consolidated balance sheets:

       
Fair Value Measurements Using:
 
   
Fair
Value
   
Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets
for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
June 28, 2015
               
Assets:
               
Available-for-sale securities
 
$
38,725
     
5,959
     
21,777
     
10,989
 
Derivatives
   
105,906
     
-
     
105,906
     
-
 
Total assets
 
$
144,631
     
5,959
     
127,683
     
10,989
 
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Derivatives
 
$
2,748
     
-
     
2,748
     
-
 
Option agreement
   
25,190
     
-
     
-
     
25,190
 
Total liabilities
 
$
27,938
     
-
     
2,748
     
25,190
 
                                 
June 29, 2014
                               
Assets:
                               
Available-for-sale securities
 
$
40,712
     
7,183
     
27,912
     
5,617
 
Derivatives
   
533
     
-
     
533
     
-
 
Total assets
 
$
41,245
     
7,183
     
28,445
     
5,617
 
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Derivatives
 
$
16,131
     
-
     
16,131
     
-
 
                                 
                                 
                                 
December 28, 2014
                               
Assets:
                               
Available-for-sale securities
 
$
28,042
     
4,482
     
17,773
     
5,787
 
Derivatives
   
69,148
     
-
     
69,148
     
-
 
Total assets
 
$
97,190
     
4,482
     
86,921
     
5,787
 
                                 
Liabilities:
                               
Derivatives
 
$
2,591
     
-
     
2,591
     
-
 
Option agreement
   
25,340
     
-
     
-
     
25,340
 
Total Liabilities
 
$
27,931
     
-
     
2,591
     
25,340
 

Available-for-sale securities include equity securities of one company quoted on an active public market as well as certain investments valued at net asset values quoted on private markets that are not active. These net asset values are predominantly based on underlying investments which are traded on an active market; investments are redeemable within 45 days. The Company also holds an available-for-sale investment in Brazil similar to a repurchase agreement; this investment is valued at the principal plus any interest accrued on the instrument. Lastly, the Company holds an available-for-sale investment which invests in hedge funds and contains financial instruments that are valued using certain estimates which are considered unobservable in that they reflect the investment manager's own assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The Company believes that these estimates are the best information available for use in the fair value of this investment.

The Company's derivatives consist primarily of foreign currency forward contracts. The Company used current forward rates of the respective foreign currencies to measure the fair value of these contracts. The option agreement included in other liabilities at June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and December 28, 2014, is valued using an option pricing model based on the fair value of the related investment.  Inputs used in the option pricing model include the volatility and fair value of the underlying company which are considered unobservable inputs as they reflect the Company's own assumptions about the inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The Company believes that this is the best information available for use in the fair value measurement. There were no changes in these valuation techniques during the first half of 2015.
The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the fair value measurements of the Company's financial instruments which use significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):

   
2015
   
2014
 
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
(19,553
)
   
5,484
 
Purchases
   
5,000
     
-
 
Gain from change in fair value
   
352
     
133
 
Balance at end of second quarter
 
$
(14,201
)
   
5,617
 

(7) Pension and Postretirement Benefits

The components of the net periodic cost of the Company's defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans for the quarter and six-month periods ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 are as follows:

   
Quarter Ended
 
   
Pension
   
Postretirement
 
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
 
Service cost
 
$
1,021
     
969
     
150
     
138
 
Interest cost
   
4,619
     
5,053
     
285
     
333
 
Expected return on assets
   
(5,497
)
   
(5,558
)
   
-
     
-
 
Net amortization and deferrals
   
2,207
     
1,251
     
(114
)
   
(114
)
Curtailment
   
138
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
2,488
     
1,715
     
321
     
357
 

   
Six Months Ended
 
   
Pension
   
Postretirement
 
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
 
Service cost
 
$
2,032
     
1,940
     
300
     
275
 
Interest cost
   
9,224
     
10,111
     
570
     
665
 
Expected return on assets
   
(10,976
)
   
(11,118
)
   
-
     
-
 
Net amortization and deferrals
   
4,408
     
2,503
     
(228
)
   
(227
)
Curtailment
   
138
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
4,826
     
3,436
     
642
     
713
 

During the first half of fiscal 2015, the Company made cash contributions to its defined benefit pension plans of approximately $430 in the aggregate. The Company expects to contribute approximately $3,570 during the remainder of fiscal 2015.

(8) Derivative Financial Instruments

Hasbro uses foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate the impact of currency rate fluctuations on firmly committed and projected future foreign currency transactions. These over-the-counter contracts, which hedge future currency requirements related to purchases of inventory, product sales and other cross-border transactions not denominated in the functional currency of the business unit, are primarily denominated in United States and Hong Kong dollars, and Euros. All contracts are entered into with a number of counterparties, all of which are major financial institutions. The Company believes that a default by a single counterparty would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company. Hasbro does not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

Cash Flow Hedges

The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the impact of currency rate fluctuations on firmly committed and projected future foreign currency transactions. All of the Company's designated foreign currency forward contracts are considered to be cash flow hedges. These instruments hedge a portion of the Company's currency requirements associated with anticipated inventory purchases, product sales and other cross-border transactions in 2015 through 2020.

At June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and December 28, 2014, the notional amounts and fair values of the Company's foreign currency forward contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments were as follows:

   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
December 28, 2014
 
 
Hedged transaction
 
Notional Amount
   
Fair
Value
   
Notional
Amount
   
Fair
Value
   
Notional
Amount
   
Fair
Value
 
Inventory purchases
 
$
1,081,451
     
111,252
     
747,516
     
(8,500
)
   
863,232
     
69,049
 
Sales
   
239,415
     
(7,659
)
   
189,357
     
(4,613
)
   
139,946
     
829
 
Other
   
74,433
     
(971
)
   
43,042
     
(1,949
)
   
51,213
     
(1,008
)
Total
 
$
1,395,299
     
102,622
     
979,915
     
(15,062
)
   
1,054,391
     
68,870
 

The Company has a master agreement with each of its counterparties that allows for the netting of outstanding forward contracts. The fair values of the Company's foreign currency forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and December 28, 2014 as follows:

   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
December 28, 2014
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
           
Unrealized gains
 
$
63,740
     
422
     
46,594
 
Unrealized losses
   
(12,302
)
   
(248
)
   
(11,508
)
Net unrealized gain
 
$
51,438
     
174
     
35,086
 
                         
Other assets
                       
Unrealized gains
 
$
54,664
     
315
     
34,234
 
Unrealized losses
   
(732
)
   
(22
)
   
(172
)
Net unrealized gains
 
$
53,932
     
293
     
34,062
 
                         
Accrued liabilities
                       
Unrealized gains
 
$
4,349
     
2,563
     
447
 
Unrealized losses
   
(7,026
)
   
(16,475
)
   
(725
)
Net unrealized loss
 
$
(2,677
)
   
(13,912
)
   
(278
)
                         
Other liabilities
                       
Unrealized gains
 
$
-
     
1,118
     
-
 
Unrealized losses
   
(71
)
   
(2,735
)
   
-
 
Net unrealized loss
 
$
(71
)
   
(1,617
)
   
-
 
                         

Net gains (losses) on cash flow hedging activities have been reclassified from other comprehensive earnings (loss) to net earnings for the quarter and six-month periods ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 as follows:

   
Quarter Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
 
Statements of Operations Classification
               
Cost of sales
 
$
12,683
     
821
     
22,746
     
(198
)
Sales
   
(2,645
)
   
(704
)
   
(3,999
)
   
(863
)
Other
   
12
     
(260
)
   
55
     
(610
)
Net realized gains (losses)
 
$
10,050
     
(143
)
   
18,802
     
(1,671
)

In addition, gains of $567 were reclassified to earnings as a result of hedge ineffectiveness for the quarter and six-month periods ended June 28, 2015, and net (losses) gains of $(3) and $62 were reclassified to earnings as a result of hedge ineffectiveness for the quarter and six-month periods ended June 29, 2014, respectively.

Undesignated Hedges

The Company also enters into foreign currency forward contracts to minimize the impact of changes in the fair value of intercompany loans due to foreign currency fluctuations. Due to the nature of the derivative contracts involved, the Company does not use hedge accounting for these contracts.  At June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and December 28, 2014 the total notional amounts of the Company's undesignated derivative instruments were $124,171, $248,908 and $294,571, respectively.

At June 28, 2015, June 29, 2014 and December 28, 2014, the fair values of the Company's undesignated derivative financial instruments were recorded in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:

   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
December 28, 2014
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
           
Unrealized gains
 
$
563
     
-
     
-
 
Unrealized losses
   
(27
)
   
-
     
-
 
Net unrealized gain
   
536
     
-
     
-
 
                         
Other assets
                       
Unrealized gains
   
-
     
66
     
-
 
Unrealized losses
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Net unrealized gain
   
-
     
66
     
-
 
                         
Accrued liabilities
                       
Unrealized gains
   
-
     
663
     
1,733
 
Unrealized losses
   
-
     
(1,265
)
   
(4,046
)
Net unrealized loss
   
-
     
(602
)
   
(2,313
)
                         
Total unrealized gain (loss), net
 
$
536
     
(536
)
   
(2,313
)

The Company recorded net gains of $8,883 and $18,954 on these instruments to other (income) expense, net for the quarter and six-month periods ended June 28, 2015, respectively, and $4,179 and $62 on these instruments to other (income) expense, net for the quarter and six-month periods ended June 29, 2014, respectively, relating to the change in fair value of such derivatives, substantially offsetting gains and losses from the change in fair value of intercompany loans to which the contracts relate.

For additional information related to the Company's derivative financial instruments see Notes 4 and 6.
 

(9) Assets Held for Sale


On July 14, 2015, the Company announced its intent to sell its manufacturing operations in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts and Waterford, Ireland to the Cartamundi Group.  The Company anticipates that this transaction, which is subject to the signing of definitive agreements and the satisfaction of specified closing conditions, will close in the third quarter of 2015. As of June 28, 2015, the Company met the criteria to classify the assets and liabilities of the manufacturing operations, primarily comprised of inventory and property, plant and equipment, as assets and liabilities held for sale which have been classified in the accompanying balance sheet as follows: prepaid expenses and other current assets - $19,683; other assets - $26,374; accounts payable and accrued expenses - $2,471. The Company does not expect to record a loss related to the sale of these operations.


(10) Segment Reporting

Hasbro is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time products and services with a broad portfolio of brands and entertainment properties spanning toys, games, licensed products ranging from traditional to high-tech and digital, and film and television entertainment. The Company's segments are (i) U.S. and Canada, (ii) International, (iii) Entertainment and Licensing, and (iv) Global Operations.

The U.S. and Canada segment includes the marketing and selling of action figures, arts and crafts and creative play products, electronic toys and related electronic interactive products, fashion and other dolls, infant products, play sets, preschool toys, plush products, sports action blasters and accessories, vehicles and toy-related specialty products, as well as traditional board games and puzzles, and trading card and role-playing games primarily within the United States and Canada. Within the International segment, the Company markets and sells both toy and game products in markets outside of the U.S. and Canada, primarily in the European, Asia Pacific, and Latin and South American regions. The Company's Entertainment and Licensing segment includes the Company's lifestyle licensing, digital gaming, movie and television entertainment operations. The Global Operations segment is responsible for manufacturing and sourcing finished products for the Company's U.S. and Canada and International segments.

Segment performance is measured at the operating profit level. Included in Corporate and Eliminations are certain corporate expenses, including the elimination of intersegment transactions and certain assets benefiting more than one segment. Intersegment sales and transfers are reflected in management reports at amounts approximating cost. Certain shared costs, including global development and marketing expenses and corporate administration, are allocated to segments based upon expenses and foreign exchange rates fixed at the beginning of the year, with adjustments to actual expenses and foreign exchange rates included in Corporate and Eliminations. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those referenced in note 1.

Results shown for the quarter and six months are not necessarily representative of those which may be expected for the full year 2015, nor were those of the comparable 2014 period representative of those actually experienced for the full year 2014. Similarly, such results are not necessarily those which would be achieved were each segment an unaffiliated business enterprise.

Information by segment and a reconciliation to reported amounts for the quarter and six-month periods ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 are as follows.

   
Quarter Ended
 
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
 
Net revenues
 
External
   
Affiliate
   
External
   
Affiliate
 
U.S. and Canada
 
$
385,183
     
1,718
     
383,001
     
1,467
 
International
   
362,760
     
(96
)
   
396,849
     
21
 
Entertainment and Licensing
   
47,640
     
4,025
     
47,663
     
3,496
 
Global Operations (a)
   
2,075
     
350,864
     
1,749
     
355,328
 
Corporate and Eliminations
   
-
     
(356,511
)
   
-
     
(360,312
)
   
$
797,658
     
-
     
829,262
     
-
 

   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
 
Net revenues
 
External
   
Affiliate
   
External
   
Affiliate
 
U.S. and Canada
 
$
730,873
     
2,768
     
720,700
     
2,677
 
International
   
668,473
     
-
     
702,324
     
92
 
Entertainment and Licensing
   
108,271
     
7,434
     
82,537
     
6,738
 
Global Operations (a)
   
3,541
     
587,707
     
3,154
     
606,868
 
Corporate and Eliminations
   
-
     
(597,909
)
   
-
     
(616,375
)
   
$
1,511,158
     
-
     
1,508,715
     
-
 

   
Quarter Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
Operating profit (loss)
 
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
 
U.S. and Canada
 
$
47,147
     
46,928
     
88,570
     
82,691
 
International
   
25,361
     
29,232
     
27,264
     
31,646
 
Entertainment and Licensing
   
7,443
     
14,645
     
23,845
     
20,627
 
Global Operations (a)
   
2,019
     
1,810
     
(1,763
)
   
66
 
Corporate and Eliminations (b)
   
(6,470
)
   
(10,051
)
   
(8,211
)
   
(9,018
)
   
$
75,500
     
82,564
     
129,705
     
126,012
 



Total assets
 
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
December 28, 2014
 
U.S. and Canada
 
$
3,095,862
     
3,050,072
     
3,663,497
 
International
   
2,164,440
     
2,007,777
     
2,422,046
 
Entertainment and Licensing
   
675,082
     
741,718
     
783,878
 
Global Operations
   
2,334,761
     
2,134,524
     
2,433,888
 
Corporate and Eliminations (b)
   
(4,039,038
)
   
(3,795,496
)
   
(4,771,167
)
   
$
4,231,107
     
4,138,595
     
4,532,142
 

(a) The Global Operations segment derives substantially all of its revenues, and thus its operating results, from intersegment activities.

(b) Certain long-term assets, including property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangibles, which benefit multiple operating segments, are included in Corporate and Eliminations. Allocations of certain expenses related to these assets to the individual operating segments are done at the beginning of the year based on budgeted amounts. Any differences between actual and budgeted amounts are reflected in Corporate and Eliminations because allocations are translated from the US Dollar to local currency at budget rates when recorded, and Corporate and Eliminations also includes the elimination of inter-company balance sheet amounts.
The following table represents consolidated International segment net revenues by major geographic region for the quarter and six-month periods ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014.

   
Quarter Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
 
Europe
 
$
185,660
     
216,268
     
381,531
     
423,810
 
Latin America
   
98,368
     
97,019
     
155,976
     
150,303
 
Asia Pacific
   
78,732
     
83,562
     
130,966
     
128,211
 
Net revenues
 
$
362,760
     
396,849
     
668,473
     
702,324
 

The following table presents consolidated net revenues by class of principal products for the quarter and six-month periods ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014.

   
Quarter Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
 
Boys
 
$
340,426
     
335,798
     
613,024
     
583,573
 
Games
   
211,629
     
225,702
     
447,278
     
446,228
 
Girls
   
127,489
     
163,817
     
244,616
     
302,517
 
Preschool
   
118,114
     
103,945
     
206,240
     
176,397
 
Net revenues
 
$
797,658
     
829,262
     
1,511,158
     
1,508,715
 


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the following section entitled Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contains forward-looking statements expressing management's current expectations, goals, objectives and similar matters. These forward-looking statements may include statements concerning the Company's product and entertainment plans, anticipated product and entertainment performance, business opportunities, plans and strategies, financial goals, cost savings and efficiency enhancing initiatives and expectations for achieving the Company's financial goals and other objectives. See Item 1A, in Part II of this report and Item 1A, in Part I of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2014, for a discussion of factors which may cause the Company's actual results or experience to differ materially from that anticipated in these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements in this report after the date of the filing. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, all dollar or share amounts herein are expressed in thousands of dollars or shares, except for per share amounts.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Hasbro, Inc. ("Hasbro" or the "Company") is a global company dedicated to Creating the World's Best Play Experiences. The Company strives to do this through deep consumer engagement and the application of consumer insights, the use of immersive storytelling to build brands, product innovation and development of global business reach. Hasbro applies these principles to leverage its beloved owned and controlled brands, including LITTLEST PET SHOP, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, MONOPOLY, MY LITTLE PONY, NERF, PLAY-DOH and TRANSFORMERS, as well as partner brands. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro fulfills the fundamental need for play and connection for children and families around the world. The Company's wholly-owned Hasbro Studios creates entertainment brand-driven storytelling across mediums, including television, film and more.

Each of these elements is executed globally in alignment with Hasbro's strategic game plan, its brand blueprint.  At the center of this blueprint, Hasbro re-imagines, re-invents and re-ignites its owned and controlled brands and imagines, invents and ignites new brands, through toy and game innovation, immersive entertainment offerings, including television programming and motion pictures, and a broad range of licensed products. Utilizing consumer engagement and insights coupled with immersive storytelling and product innovation, Hasbro generates revenue and earns cash by developing, marketing and selling global brands in a broad variety of consumer goods categories including toy and game products and distribution of television programming based on the Company's properties, as well as through the out-licensing of rights for third parties to use its properties in connection with products, including digital media and games and lifestyle products. Hasbro also leverages its competencies to develop and market products based on well-known licensed brands, including, but not limited to, DISNEY DESCENDENTS, JURASSIC WORLD, MARVEL, SESAME STREET and STAR WARS. MARVEL and STAR WARS are owned by The Walt Disney Company.

The Company's business is separated into three principal business segments: U.S. and Canada, International and Entertainment and Licensing. The U.S. and Canada segment markets and sells both toy and game products primarily in the United States and Canada. The International segment consists of the Company's European, Asia Pacific and Latin and South American toy and game marketing and sales operations. The Company's Entertainment and Licensing segment includes the Company's lifestyle licensing, digital licensing and gaming, and movie and television entertainment operations. In addition to these three primary segments, the Company's global development, marketing, manufacturing and product sourcing operations are managed through its Global Operations segment.

Second quarter 2015 highlights:
· Net revenues decreased approximately 4% compared to the second quarter of 2014, but absent unfavorable foreign currency translation of approximately $71,500, net revenues in the second quarter of 2015 grew 5% compared to the second quarter of 2014.
· 2015 second quarter net revenues from franchise brands decreased 10%; growth from LITTLEST PET SHOP, MONOPOLY, NERF and PLAY-DOH was more than offset by expected declines from MAGIC: THE GATHERING and TRANSFORMERS. Excluding unfavorable foreign currency translations, franchise brands declined 2.3% for the quarter.
· Growth from the Boys and Preschool categories in the second quarter of 2015 was more than offset by declines in the Games and Girls categories.
· Second quarter 2015 net revenues from the U.S. and Canada segment were up 1% compared to the second quarter of 2014 while net revenues from the Entertainment and Licensing segment were flat and net revenues from the International segment declined 9% compared to the second quarter of 2014.  Absent unfavorable foreign currency translation of approximately $69,500, 2015 International segment net revenues grew 9%.
· Operating profit declined 9% in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014 but was up 10% absent unfavorable foreign currency translation of approximately $15,000.

First half 2015 highlights:
· Net revenues were flat in first half of 2015 compared to the first half of 2014 and, absent unfavorable foreign currency translation of approximately $134,100, 2015 net revenues grew 9% compared to the first half of 2014.
· First half 2015 net revenues from franchise brands increased 3%; growth from LITTLEST PET SHOP, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, MONOPOLY, NERF and PLAY-DOH was only partially offset by expected declines from TRANSFORMERS following last year's motion picture release. Excluding unfavorable foreign currency translation, franchise brands increased 11% during the first half of 2015.
· Growth in the Boys and Preschool categories was partially offset by declines in the Girls category.  The Games category was flat in the first half of 2015 compared to 2014.
· First half 2015 net revenues from the U.S. and Canada and Entertainment and Licensing segments were up 1% and 31%, respectively, compared to the first half of 2014 whereas net revenues from the International segment declined 5% compared to the first half of 2014.  Absent unfavorable foreign currency translation of approximately $130,500, first half 2015 International segment net revenues grew 14%.
· Operating profit grew 3% in the first half of 2015 compared to the first half of 2014 and was up 26% absent unfavorable foreign currency translation of approximately $28,900.


In line with our commitment to return excess cash to shareholders, Hasbro increased the quarterly dividend rate from $0.43 per share to $0.46 per share which was effective for the dividend paid in May 2015 and going forward. During the first half of 2015, Hasbro repurchased approximately 747 shares at a total cost of $46,826 and an average price of $62.64 per share, respectively.


SUMMARY OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

The components of the results of operations, stated as a percent of net revenues, are illustrated below for the quarter and six-month periods ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014.

 
 
Quarter Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
 
Net revenues
   
100.0
%
   
100.0
%
   
100.0
%
   
100.0
%
Costs and expenses:
                               
Cost of sales
   
37.0
     
38.6
     
35.9
     
38.4
 
Royalties
   
7.2
     
8.5
     
7.7
     
8.0
 
Product development
   
7.2
     
6.2
     
7.2
     
6.6
 
Advertising
   
9.8
     
9.9
     
9.7
     
9.9
 
Amortization of intangibles
   
1.7
     
1.4
     
1.7
     
1.7
 
Program production cost amortization
   
0.9
     
0.8
     
1.2
     
0.8
 
Selling, distribution and administration
   
26.7
     
24.6
     
27.9
     
26.5
 
Operating profit
   
9.5
     
10.0
     
8.6
     
8.4
 
Interest expense
   
3.0
     
2.7
     
3.2
     
3.0
 
Interest income
   
(0.1
)
   
(0.2
)
   
(0.1
)
   
(0.2
)
Other (income) expense, net
   
(0.2
)
   
(0.4
)
   
(0.4
)
   
(0.4
)
Earnings before income taxes
   
6.7
     
7.8
     
5.8
     
6.0
 
Income tax expense
   
1.7
     
3.8
     
1.4
     
1.7
 
Net earnings
   
5.1
     
4.0
     
4.4
     
4.3
 
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
   
(0.2
)
   
(0.1
)
   
(0.2
)
   
(0.1
)
Net earnings attributable to Hasbro, Inc.
   
5.2
%
   
4.0
%
   
4.5
%
   
4.3
%

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – CONSOLIDATED

Second Quarter of 2015

The quarters ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 were each 13-week periods. Net earnings and net earnings attributable to Hasbro, Inc. increased to $40,282 and $41,809, respectively, for the quarter ended June 28, 2015, from $32,820 and $33,475, respectively, for the comparable period of 2014.  Diluted earnings per share attributable to Hasbro, Inc. increased to $0.33 in the second quarter of 2015 from $0.26 in the second quarter of 2014.  Second quarter 2014 net earnings included an unfavorable tax adjustment of $13,846, or $0.10 per diluted share.

Consolidated net revenues for the quarter ended June 28, 2015 decreased approximately 4% compared to the quarter ended June 29, 2014 and were negatively impacted by foreign currency translation of approximately $71,500 as a result of the stronger U.S. dollar in 2015 compared to 2014.  Absent the impact of foreign currency, consolidated net revenues grew 5% in the second quarter of 2015 compared to 2014.  Higher net revenues from NERF and PLAY-DOH were more than offset by lower net revenues from TRANSFORMERS, which faced challenging comparisons to the second quarter of 2014 which benefited from the June 2014 theatrical release of TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION, and, to a lesser extent, lower net revenues from MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MY LITTLE PONY. As a result, franchise brands decreased 10% during the second quarter of 2015 compared to 2014. Absent an unfavorable foreign currency translation, MY LITTLE PONY revenues grew during the second quarter of 2015.


The follow table presents net revenues by product category for the quarters ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014.

 
 
Quarter Ended
 
 
 
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
%
Change
 
Boys
 
$
340,426
     
335,798
     
1
%
Games
   
211,629
     
225,702
     
-6
%
Girls
   
127,489
     
163,817
     
-22
%
Preschool
   
118,114
     
103,945
     
14
%
Net revenues
 
$
797,658
     
829,262
         

BOYS: Net revenues in the boys' category increased 1% in 2015 compared to 2014.  The boys' category continues to benefit from a strong entertainment line-up.  Higher net revenues from partner brands, specifically JURASSIC WORLD, MARVEL and STAR WARS, more than offset lower net revenues from the TRANSFORMERS brand, which benefited from the June 2014 theatrical release. The MARVEL and JURASSIC WORLD brands were each supported by a second quarter 2015 theatrical releases, AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON in May 2015 and JURASSIC WORLD in June 2015.  Furthermore, STAR WARS is supported by animated television programming, STAR WARS REBELS, and will be supported by the highly anticipated theatrical release of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS in December 2015. Lastly, the franchise brand NERF also contributed to boys' category growth.

GAMES: Net revenues from the games category decreased approximately 6% in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014.  Higher net revenues from franchise brand MONOPOLY as well as other games brands, particularly CLUE, CONNECT 4, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, TROUBLE and TWISTER, were more than offset by lower net revenues from franchise brand MAGIC: THE GATHERING.  Net revenues from MAGIC: THE GATHERING products are significantly driven by the timing of new releases. During 2015 the major set release for the first half of the year occurred during the first quarter compared to the second quarter in 2014.

GIRLS: Net revenues in the girls' category decreased 22% in 2015 compared to 2014 primarily due to expected declines from FURBY products. Lower net revenues from MY LITTLE PONY, NERF and FURREAL FRIENDS brands also contributed to the decline.  These lower net revenues were slightly offset by increases from PLAY-DOH DOHVINCI products and initial shipments of DISNEY DESCENDANTS products.

PRESCHOOL: Net revenues in the preschool category increased 14% in 2015 compared to 2014. Higher net revenues from PLAY-DOH products as well as sales of product related to the June 2015 theatrical release of JURASSIC WORLD were slightly offset by lower net revenues from core PLAYSKOOL products. In 2014, net revenues from the TRANSFORMERS brand benefited from the June 2014 theatrical release of TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION.

Operating profit for the quarter ended June 28, 2015 decreased 9% to $75,500, or 9.5% of net revenues, from $82,564, or 10.0% of net revenues, for the quarter ended June 29, 2014, primarily due to the negative foreign currency translation of approximately $15,000. Absent foreign currency, operating profit grew 10% in the second quarter of 2015 compared to 2014.  Higher net revenues combined with more favorable cost of sales and royalty expense contributed to growth in operating profit, absent foreign currency translation.

First Six Months of 2015
The six-month periods ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014 were each 26-week periods. Net earnings and net earnings attributable to Hasbro, Inc. for the first six months of 2015 were $66,103 and $68,476, respectively, compared to $64,334 and $65,562, respectively, for the first six months of 2014. Diluted earnings per share attributable to Hasbro, Inc. increased to $0.54 in 2015 from $0.50 in 2014. In the first six months of 2014 an unfavorable tax adjustment related to a proposed resolution of outstanding tax matters during the second quarter of 2014 was substantially offset by a favorable settlement of certain open tax years during the first quarter of 2014.

For the six months ended June 28, 2015, consolidated net revenues was  $1,511,158 compared to $1,508,715 for the six months ended June 29, 2014 and were negatively impacted by foreign currency translation of approximately $134,100 as a result of the stronger U.S. dollar in 2015 compared to 2014. Absent the impact of foreign currency, consolidated net revenues grew 9% in 2015 compared to 2014.  During the first six months of 2015, franchise brand revenues grew nearly 3%.  Specifically, five of the seven franchise brands grew, including LITTLEST PET SHOP, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, MONOPOLY, NERF and PLAY-DOH. Excluding unfavorable foreign currency translation, MY LITTLE PONY net revenues grew during the first six months of 2015.

The following table presents net revenues by product category for the first six months of 2015 and 2014.

 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
%
Change
 
Boys
 
$
613,024
     
583,573
     
5
%
Games
   
447,278
     
446,228
     
0
%
Girls
   
244,616
     
302,517
     
-19
%
Preschool
   
206,240
     
176,397
     
17
%
Net revenues
 
$
1,511,158
     
1,508,715
         

BOYS: Net revenues in boys' category increased 5% in the first six months of 2015 compared to 2014.  The boys' category continues to benefit from a strong entertainment line-up.  Higher net revenues from partner brands, specifically JURASSIC WORLD, MARVEL and STAR WARS, more than offset lower net revenues from the TRANSFORMERS brand, which benefited from the June 2014 theatrical release. The MARVEL and JURASSIC WORLD brands were each supported by a second quarter 2015 theatrical releases, AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON in May 2015 and JURASSIC WORLD in June 2015.  Furthermore, STAR WARS is supported by animated television programming, STAR WARS REBELS, and will be supported by the highly anticipated theatrical release of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS in December 2015. Lastly, the franchise brand NERF also contributed to boys' category growth.

GAMES: Net revenues from the games category were flat in the first six months of 2015 compared to 2014.  Higher net revenues from franchise brands MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY as well as CLUE, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, LIFE, and TROUBLE where wholly offset by other games brands, including DUEL MASTERS, ELEFUN & FRIENDS, JENGA, OPERATION and ANGRY BIRDS STAR WARS.

GIRLS: Net revenues in the girls' category decreased 19% in the six months ended June 28, 2015 compared to the six months ended June 29, 2014, primarily related to lower net revenues from FURBY products. Higher net revenues from PLAY-DOH DOHVINCI and LITTLEST PET SHOP products were more than offset by lower net revenues from MY LITTLE PONY, FURREAL FRIENDS and NERF products.

PRESCHOOL: Net revenues from the preschool category grew 17% in the first six months of 2015 compared to 2014. Higher net revenues from PLAY-DOH and PLAYSKOOL HEROES products, primarily TRANSFORMERS RESCUE BOTS, as well as sales of product related to the June 2015 theatrical release of JURASSIC WORLD were slightly offset by lower net revenues from core PLAYSKOOL.

Operating profit for the six months ended June 28, 2015 increased 3% to $129,705, or 8.6% of net revenues, from $126,012, or 8.4% of net revenues, for the six months ended June 29, 2014. 2015 operating profit includes negative foreign currency translation of approximately $28,900. Absent the impact of foreign currency, operating profit increased approximately 26% in the first six months of 2015 compared to 2014. Higher net revenues combined with favorable cost of sales and royalty expense contributed to growth in operating profit, absent foreign currency translation.

SEGMENT RESULTS

Most of the Company's revenues and operating profit are derived from its three principal business segments: the U.S. and Canada segment, the International segment and the Entertainment and Licensing segment.  The results of these operations are discussed in detail below.

Second Quarter of 2015

The following table presents net external revenues and operating profit data for the Company's three principal segments for the quarters ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014.

 
 
Quarter Ended
 
 
 
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
% Change
 
Net Revenues
           
U.S. and Canada segment
 
$
385,183
     
383,001
     
1
%
International segment
   
362,760
     
396,849
     
-9
%
Entertainment and Licensing segment
   
47,640
     
47,663
     
0
%
 
                       
Operating Profit
                       
U.S. and Canada segment
 
$
47,147
     
46,928
     
0
%
International segment
   
25,361
     
29,232
     
-13
%
Entertainment and Licensing segment
   
7,443
     
14,645
     
-49
%

U.S. and Canada Segment
The U.S. and Canada segment net revenues for the quarter ended June 28, 2015 increased 1% compared to 2014.  Foreign currency translation did not have a significant impact on this segment's net revenues. In the second quarter of 2015, higher net revenues from the boys and preschool categories were offset by lower net revenues from the games and girls categories.

The boys category benefited from higher net revenues from JURASSIC WORLD, NERF and STAR WARS products which were partially offset by lower net revenues from TRANSFORMERS products.   Games category net revenues declined primarily related to lower net revenues from MAGIC: THE GATHERING products, attributable to the change in release timing described above. The girls' category declined primarily due to lower net revenues from FURBY, NERF REBELLE and FURREAL FRIENDS products. Partially offsetting the declines were higher net revenues from LITTLEST PET SHOP and MY LITTLE PONY products. Net revenues from the preschool category benefited from the June 2015 theatrical release of JURASSIC WORLD and continued strength of the Company's franchise brand, PLAY-DOH.  These increases were only partially offset by lower net revenues from and core PLAYSKOOL products.

U.S. and Canada segment operating profit for the quarter ended June 28, 2015 was $47,147, or 12.2% of net revenues, compared to $46,928, or 12.3% of segment net revenues, for the quarter ended June 29, 2014.


International Segment
International segment net revenues decreased 9% to $362,760 for the quarter ended June 28, 2015 from $396,849 for the quarter ended June 29, 2014. International segment net revenues for the second quarter of 2015 included unfavorable foreign currency translation of approximately $69,500 as a result of the stronger U.S. dollar in 2015 compared to 2014. Absent the impact of foreign currency translation, International segment net revenues increased approximately 9% in the second quarter 2015 compared to the second quarter of 2014. The following table presents net revenues by geographic region for the Company's International segment for the quarters ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014.

 
 
Quarter Ended
 
 
 
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
%
Change
 
Europe
 
$
185,660
     
216,268
     
-14
%
Latin America
   
98,368
     
97,019
     
1
%
Asia Pacific
   
78,732
     
83,562
     
-6
%
Net revenues
 
$
362,760
     
396,849
         

Foreign currency translation negatively impacted the major geographic regions as follows: Europe - $43,300, Latin America - $20,800 and Asia Pacific - $5,400. Absent foreign currency translation, the underlying business grew across all major geographic regions, up 6% in Europe, 23% in Latin America and 1% in Asia Pacific. Net revenues in emerging markets decreased 11% in the second quarter of 2015 compared to 2014; however, excluding the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange, these net revenues increased 9%.

In the second quarter of 2015, higher net revenues from the preschool category were more than offset by lower net revenues from the boys, games and girls categories.

In the boys' category higher net revenues from partner brands JURASSIC WORLD, MARVEL and STAR WARS as well as higher net revenues from franchise brand NERF were more than offset by lower net revenues from TRANSFORMERS products. In the games category, higher net revenues from franchise brand MONOPOLY were more than offset by lower net revenues from other game brands, including MAGIC: THE GATHERING. Lower girls category net revenues from FURBY products in the second quarter of 2015 compared to 2014 as well as lower net revenues from MY LITTLE PONY and NERF were only partially offset by higher net revenues from PLAY-DOH DOHVINCI. In the preschool category higher net revenues from PLAY-DOH and JURASSIC WORLD products were partially offset by lower net revenues from core PLAYSKOOL and TONKA products.

International segment operating profit decreased 13% to $25,361, or 7.0% of net revenues, for the quarter ended June 28, 2015 from $29,232, or 7.4% of segment net revenues, for the quarter ended June 29, 2014. Foreign exchange had a significant impact on net revenues from the International segment which also impacted operating profit; absent the impact of foreign exchange translation, operating profit would have increased in the second quarter of 2015 compared to 2014.

Entertainment and Licensing Segment
Entertainment and Licensing segment net revenues for the quarter ended June 28, 2015 were $47,640 compared to $47,663 for the quarter ended June 29, 2014. Higher net revenues from lifestyle licensing were wholly offset by lower net revenues from distribution of television programming and digital gaming.

Entertainment and Licensing segment operating profit decreased to $7,443, or 15.6% of net revenues, for the quarter ended June 28, 2015 from $14,645, or 30.7% of segment net revenues, for the quarter ended June 29, 2014. Overall, Entertainment and Licensing segment operating profit and operating profit margin declined due to a less favorable revenue mix and higher operating expenses, including increased amortization of intangibles related to digital gaming rights reacquired in 2005 and 2007. 

Global Operations
Global Operations segment operating profit was consistent compared with 2014, increasing marginally to $2,019 for the quarter ended June 28, 2015 from $1,810 for the quarter ended June 29, 2014.

Corporate and Eliminations
The operating loss in Corporate and eliminations totaled $6,470 for the second quarter of 2015 compared to $10,051 for the second quarter of 2014.

First Six Months of 2015

The following table presents net external revenues and operating profit data for the Company's three principal segments for each of the six months ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014.

 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
% Change
 
Net Revenues
           
U.S. and Canada segment
 
$
730,873
     
720,700
     
1
%
International segment
   
668,473
     
702,324
     
-5
%
Entertainment and Licensing segment
   
108,271
     
82,537
     
31
%
 
                       
Operating Profit
                       
U.S. and Canada segment
 
$
88,570
     
82,691
     
7
%
International segment
   
27,264
     
31,646
     
-14
%
Entertainment and Licensing segment
   
23,845
     
20,627
     
16
%

U.S. and Canada Segment
The U.S. and Canada segment net revenues for the six months ended June 28, 2015 increased 1% compared to 2014.  Foreign currency translation did not have a significant impact on segment net revenues. In the first six months of 2015, higher net revenues from the boys, games and preschool categories were partially offset by lower net revenues from the girls category.

The boys category grew in the first six months of 2015 compared to 2014. Higher net revenues from JURASSIC WORLD, MARVEL, NERF and STAR WARS products were partially offset by lower net revenues from TRANSFORMERS products.  Higher net revenues from the games category reflect higher net revenues from franchise brands MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY as well as higher net revenues from CLUE, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, LIFE, TROUBLE and TWISTER products. These increases were only partially offset by lower net revenues from DUELMASTERS and ELEFUN & FRIENDS products. In the girls' category, lower net revenues from FURBY,  EASY BAKE, MY LITTLE PONY, NERF REBELLE and FURREAL FRIENDS products were partially offset by higher net revenues from LITTLEST PET SHOP and PLAY-DOH DOHVINCI products. Segment net revenues from the preschool category increased in the first six months of 2015 compared to 2014, benefiting from continued strength of the Company's franchise brand, PLAY-DOH as well as the June 2015 theatrical release of JURASSIC WORLD.  These higher net revenues were partially offset by lower never revenues from core PLAYSKOOL and TONKA products.

U.S. and Canada segment operating profit for the six months ended June 28, 2015 increased to $88,570, or 12.1% of net revenues, from  $82,691, or 11.5% of segment net revenues, for the six months ended June 29, 2014. Higher operating profit and operating profit margin reflects higher net revenues combined with more favorable cost of sales and royalty expenses, partially offset by higher expenses, primarily advertising and selling, distribution and administration expenses, in both dollars and as a percent of net revenues. Increased selling, distribution and administration expenses include expected increases as well as continued investment in digital offerings under the MAGIC: THE GATHERING brand.

International Segment
International segment net revenues decreased 5% to $668,473 for the six months ended June 28, 2015 from $702,324 for the six months ended June 29, 2014.  2015 International segment net revenues include unfavorable foreign currency translation of approximately $130,500. Absent the impact of foreign currency translation, International segment net revenues grew 14% for the first six months of 2015. The following table presents net revenues by geographic region for the Company's International segment for the six-month periods ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014.

 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
   
% Change
 
Europe
 
$
381,531
     
423,810
     
-10
%
Latin America
   
155,976
     
150,303
     
4
%
Asia Pacific
   
130,966
     
128,211
     
2
%
Net revenues
 
$
668,473
     
702,324
         
Foreign currency translation negatively impacted the major geographic regions as follows: Europe - $93,500, Latin America - $28,800 and Asia Pacific - $8,200. Absent foreign currency translation, the underlying business grew across all major geographic regions, up 12% in Europe, 23% in Latin America and 9% in Asia Pacific. Net revenues in emerging markets, decreased 5% in the first six months of 2015 compared to 2014; however, excluding the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange, these net revenues increased 15%.

In the first six months of 2015, higher net revenues from the boys and preschool categories were more than offset by lower net revenues from the games and girls categories. In the boys' category, higher net revenues from partner brands JURASSIC WORLD, MARVEL and STAR WARS as well as higher net revenues from franchise brand NERF were partially offset by lower net revenues from TRANSFORMERS products. In the games category, higher net revenues from franchise brand MONOPOLY were more than offset by lower net revenues from other game brands, including MAGIC: THE GATHERING. Net revenues from the girls' category declined from 2014 to 2015, primarily reflecting lower net revenues from FURBY products as well as lower net revenues from  MY LITTLE PONY and NERF which were partially offset by higher net revenues from PLAY-DOH DOHVINCI. In the preschool category, higher net revenues from PLAY-DOH and JURASSIC WORLD products in the first six months of 2015 compared to 2014 were only partially offset by lower net revenues from core PLAYSKOOL and TONKA products.

International segment operating profit decreased to $27,646, or 4.1% of net revenues, for the six months ended June 28, 2015 from  $31,646, or 4.5% of segment net revenues, for the six months ended June 29, 2014.  The decrease in operating profit and margin is primarily due to the impact of unfavorable foreign currency translation.

Entertainment and Licensing Segment
Entertainment and Licensing segment net revenues for the six months June 28, 2015 increased 31% to $108,271 from $82,537 for the six months ended June 29, 2014. Higher entertainment revenues related to a multi-year digital distribution agreement for Hasbro Studios programming along with higher lifestyle licensing revenues were the primary drivers of the segment's increased net revenues.  

Entertainment and Licensing segment operating profit increased to $23,845, or 22.0% of net revenues, for the six months ended June 28, 2015 from $20,627, or 25.0% of segment net revenues, for the six months ended June 29, 2014. Improved Entertainment and Licensing segment operating profit in the first quarter of 2015 reflects the higher profit impact of increased lifestyle licensing and programming revenues, partially offset by higher expense levels.

Global Operations
Global Operations segment operating loss of $1,763 for the first six months of 2015 compares to an operating profit of $66 for the first six months of 2014.

Corporate and Eliminations
Operating loss in Corporate and Eliminations for the first six months of 2015 was $8,211, which is consistent with the operating loss for the first six months of 2014 of $9,018.
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES

Second Quarter of 2015
The Company's costs and expenses, stated as percentages of net revenues, are illustrated below for the quarters ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014.
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
 
 
June 28, 2015
   
June 29, 2014
 
Cost of sales
   
37.0
%
   
38.6
%
Royalties
   
7.2
     
8.5
 
Product development
   
7.2
     
6.2
 
Advertising
   
9.8
     
9.9
 
Amortization of intangibles
   
1.7
     
1.4
 
Program production cost amortization
   
0.9
     
0.8
 
Selling, distribution and administration
   
26.7
     
24.6
 

Cost of sales decreased 8% from $320,336, or 38.6% of net revenues, for the quarter ended June 29, 2014 to $295,399, or 37.0% of net revenues for the quarter ended June 28, 2015.  In dollars, the reduction in costs of sales reflects a combination of lower net revenues and the impact of foreign exchange.  As a percent of net revenues, the reduction in costs of sales reflects a combination of a more favorable product mix and foreign exchange hedges related to product purchases. This more favorable product mix reflects higher net revenues from royalty-bearing products, specifically those related to the JURASSIC WORLD and MARVEL brands, which generally carry higher pricing and, therefore, have a lower cost of sales as a percentage of net revenues.

Royalty expense for the quarter ended June 28, 2015 was $57,069, or 7.2% of net revenues, compared to $70,533, or 8.5% of net revenues, for the quarter ended June 29, 2014.  Lower royalty expense in the second quarter of 2015 compared to 2014 reflects a favorable royalty-bearing product mix, including lower net sales of royalty-bearing TRANSFORMERS products, supported by the June 2014 release of TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION, partially offset by royalties related to higher net sales of MARVEL, JURASSIC WORLD and STAR WARS products in the second quarter of 2015.

Product development expense for the quarter ended June 28, 2015 was $57,609, or 7.2% of net revenues, compared to $51,707, or 6.2% of net revenues, for the quarter ended June 29, 2014.  Higher product development expense, in dollars and as a percentage of net revenues, primarily reflects costs associated with development of the DISNEY PRINCESS and FROZEN product lines under the license agreement with The Walt Disney Company.  The Company will continue to incur these development costs in 2015 in advance of commencement of the licensing period and product shipments in 2016. 
Advertising expense for the quarter ended June 28, 2015 was $78,365, or 9.8% of net revenues, compared to $81,693, or 9.9% of net revenues, for the quarter ended June 29, 2014.  Lower net revenues resulted in lower advertising expense in the second quarter of 2015 compared to 2014, which was consistent as a percentage of net revenues.
Amortization of intangibles was $13,348, or 1.7% of net revenues, compared to $11,892, or 1.4% of net revenues, for the quarter ended June 29, 2014.  The increase is primarily due to higher amortization of digital gaming rights reacquired in 2005 and 2007. The second quarter of 2015 was the last quarter of amortization of these assets.

Program production cost amortization was consistent year-over-year, increasing marginally to $7,220, or 0.9% of net revenues, for the quarter ended June 28, 2015 from $6,710, or 0.8% of net revenues, for the quarter ended June 29, 2015. Program production costs are capitalized as incurred and amortized using the individual-film-forecast method.

For the quarter ended June 28, 2015, the Company's selling, distribution and administration expenses increased to $213,148, or 26.7% of net revenues, from $203,827, or 24.6% of net revenues, for the quarter ended June 29, 2014. Higher administration expenses were partially offset by shipping and warehousing expenses.  Marketing and sales expenses were flat compared to the second quarter of 2014.  Foreign exchange resulted in a decrease of $15,700. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, increased 2015 expenses are primarily the result of higher performance-based stock compensation, investments in MAGIC: THE GATHERING, depreciation expense and other general cost increases, such as salaries and wages.

First Six Months of 2015
The Company's costs and expenses, stated as percentages of net revenues, are illustrated below for the six-month periods ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014.

 
 
Six Months Ended
 
 
 
June 28, 2015
 
 
June 29, 2014
 
Cost of sales
 
 
35.9
%
 
 
38.4
%
Royalties
 
 
7.7
 
 
 
8.0
 
Product development
 
 
7.2
 
 
 
6.6
 
Advertising
 
 
9.7
 
 
 
9.9
 
Amortization of intangibles
 
 
1.7
 
 
 
1.7
 
Program production cost amortization
 
 
1.2
 
 
 
0.8
 
Selling, distribution and administration
 
 
27.9
 
 
 
26.5
 

Cost of sales for the six months ended June 28, 2015 decreased to $543,134, or 35.9% of net revenues, from $578,881, or 38.4% of net revenues, for the six months ended June 29, 2014. Lower cost of sales on higher net revenues reflects more favorable product and revenue mix in the first half of 2015 compared to the first half of 2014. This more favorable product mix reflects higher net revenues from royalty-bearing products, specifically those related to the JURASSIC WORLD and MARVEL brands, which generally carry higher pricing and, therefore, have a lower cost of sales as a percentage of net revenues.  Furthermore, Entertainment and Licensing segment net revenues, which also have lower cost of sales, were 7.2% of net revenues in the first half of 2015 compared to 5.5% of net revenues in the first half of 2014.  Lastly, the first half of 2015 benefited from a more favorable impact from foreign exchange hedges related to product purchases.

Royalty expense for the six months ended June 28, 2015 was $116,158, or 7.7% of net revenues, compared to $120,114, or 8.0% of net revenues, for the six months ended June 29, 2014. Fluctuations in royalty expense are generally related to the volume of entertainment-driven products sold in a given period, especially if there is a major motion picture release. Lower royalty expense in the first half of 2015 compared to 2014 reflects a favorable royalty-bearing product mix, including lower net sales of royalty-bearing TRANSFORMERS products, supported by the June 2014 release of TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION, partially offset by royalties related to higher net sales of MARVEL, JURASSIC WORLD and STAR WARS products in the first half of 2015.

Product development expense for the six months ended June 28, 2015 increased to $109,506, or 7.2% of net revenues, from $98,964, or 6.6% of net revenues for the six months ended June 29, 2014. Higher product development expense, in dollars and as a percentage of net revenues, primarily reflects costs associated with development of the DISNEY PRINCESS and FROZEN product lines under the license agreement with The Walt Disney Company.  The Company will continue to incur these development costs in 2015 in advance of commencement of the licensing period and product shipments in 2016. 

Advertising expense for the six months ended June 28, 2015 was $146,107, or 9.7% of net revenues, compared to $148,952, or 9.9% of net revenues, for the six months ended June 29, 2014. The reduction in advertising expense as a percent of net revenues primarily resulted from the mix of revenues, including the increase in the Entertainment and Licensing segment, as well as the royalty-bearing product mix discussed above.  Entertainment-backed product lines generally require less in advertising by the Company.

Amortization of intangibles was $26,299, or 1.7% of net revenues, for the six months ended June 28, 2015 compared to $25,294, or 1.7% of net revenues, in the first six months of 2014. The marginal increase reflects higher amortization related to digital gaming rights which became fully amortized during the second quarter of 2015, partially offset by certain assets which were fully amortized during 2014.

Program production cost amortization increased in the first six months of 2015 to $18,316, or 1.2% of net revenues, from $11,368, or 0.8% of net revenues, in the first six months of 2014. Program production costs are capitalized as incurred and amortized using the individual-film-forecast method. Higher program production cost amortization in the first half of 2015 reflects higher net revenues during the first quarter of 2015 from a multi-year digital distribution agreement for Hasbro Studios programming.

For the six months ended June 28, 2015, the Company's selling, distribution and administration expenses increased to $421,933, or 27.9% of net revenues, from $399,130, or 26.5% of net revenues, for the six months ended June 29, 2014, primarily related to higher administration expenses. Shipping and warehousing and marketing and sales expenses were flat compared to the first half of 2014. Foreign exchange resulted in a decrease of $28,900. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, increased 2015 expenses are primarily the result of higher performance-based stock compensation, investments in the MAGIC: THE GATHERING brand, depreciation expense and other general cost increases, such as salaries and wages.

NON-OPERATING (INCOME) EXPENSE

Interest expense for the second quarter and first six months of 2015 totaled $24,186 and $48,771, respectively, compared to $22,802 and $45,230 for the comparable and respective periods of 2014. Increased interest expense in the quarter and year-to-date periods reflects favorable interest rate swap agreements that were in place during the first half of 2014. 

Interest income of $690 and $1,620 in the second quarter and first six months of 2015, respectively, compared to $1,165 and $2,491 in the second quarter and first six months of 2014. Higher average cash balances in 2015 compared to 2014 were more than offset by lower average interest rates, particularly in international jurisdictions.

Other income, net of $1,642 and $5,407 for the quarter and six months ended June 28, 2015, respectively, compared to other income, net of $3,590 and $7,239 for the quarter and six months ended June 29, 2014.  Improved earnings from Discovery Family Channel in the second quarter and first half of 2015 compared to 2014 were more than offset by foreign exchange losses in 2015 compared to foreign exchange gains in the second quarter and first six months of 2014. Other income, net in the first six months of 2015 and 2014 each include gains on the sale of certain assets of $2,800 and $3,400, respectively.

INCOME TAXES

Income taxes totaled $13,364 on pre-tax earnings of $53,646 in the second quarter of 2015 compared to income taxes of $31,697 on pre-tax earnings of $64,517 in the second quarter of 2014. For the six month period, income taxes totaled $21,858 on pre-tax earnings of $87,961 in 2015 compared to income taxes of $26,178 on pre-tax earnings of $90,512 in 2014. Both periods, as well as the full year 2014, were impacted by certain discrete tax events including the accrual of potential interest and penalties on certain tax positions. During the first six months of 2015, favorable discrete tax adjustments were a net benefit of $1,979 compared to a net expense of $1,921 in the first six months of 2014. The favorable discrete tax adjustment for the first six months of 2015 includes benefits related to expiration of statutes for certain tax positions and the filing of 2012 and 2013 amended tax returns. Absent discrete items, the adjusted tax rate for the first six months of 2015 and 2014 were 27.1% and 26.8%, respectively. The adjusted rate of 27.1% for the six months ended June 28, 2015 is comparable to the full year 2014 adjusted rate 26.5%.

OTHER INFORMATION
 
Historically, the Company's revenue pattern has shown the second half of the year to be more significant to its overall business than the first half. The Company expects that this concentration will continue, particularly as more of its business has shifted to larger customers with order patterns concentrated in the second half of the year. The concentration of sales in the second half of the year increases the risk of (a) underproduction of popular items, (b) overproduction of less popular items, and (c) failure to achieve compressed shipping schedules.

The toy and game business is characterized by customer order patterns which vary from year to year largely because of differences each year in the degree of consumer acceptance of product lines, product availability, marketing strategies and inventory policies of retailers, the dates of theatrical releases of major motion pictures for which the Company has product licenses, and changes in overall economic conditions. As a result, comparisons of the Company's unshipped orders on any date with those at the same date in a prior year are not necessarily indicative of the Company's expected sales for that year. Moreover, quick response inventory management practices result in fewer orders being placed significantly in advance of shipment and more orders being placed for immediate delivery. Although the Company may receive orders from customers in advance, it is a general industry practice that these orders are subject to amendment or cancellation by customers prior to shipment and, as such, the Company does not believe that these unshipped orders, at any given date, are indicative of future sales.
 
On July 14, 2015, the Company announced its intent to sell its manufacturing operations in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts and Waterford, Ireland to the Cartamundi Group.  The Company anticipates that this transaction, which is subject to the signing of definitive agreements and the satisfaction of specified closing conditions, will close in the third quarter of 2015.

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), in cooperation with the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"), issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606). This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification 605 – Revenue Recognition and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Codification. This new guidance provides a five-step model for analyzing contracts and transactions to determine when, how and if revenue is recognized. Revenue should be recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  This ASU is now effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, and may be adopted early but not before December 15, 2016. The Company is evaluating the requirements of ASU 2014-09 and its potential impact on the Company's financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest – Imputation of Interest (ASC 835-30), which simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs. ASU 2015-03 requires debt issuance costs related to long-term debt to be presented in the balance sheet as a reduction to the carrying amount of the related debt liability, consistent with the presentation of discounts. ASU 2015-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, and is eligible for early adoption.  The Company presently records deferred debt costs in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet.  At June 28, 2015, deferred debt costs related to long-term debt totaled $14,018.  Upon adoption, these deferred debt costs will be presented as a reduction of long-term debt.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company has historically generated a significant amount of cash from operations. In 2014 the Company funded its operations and liquidity needs primarily through cash flows from operations, and, when needed, using borrowings under its available lines of credit and commercial paper program.

During the first half of 2015, the Company continued to fund its working capital needs primarily through cash flows from operations and, when needed, lines of credit and commercial paper. The Company believes that the funds available to it, including cash expected to be generated from operations and funds available through its available lines of credit and commercial paper program, are adequate to meet its working capital needs for the remainder of 2015. However, unexpected events or circumstances such as material operating losses or increased capital or other expenditures may reduce or eliminate the availability of external financial resources. In addition, significant disruptions to credit markets may also reduce or eliminate the availability of external financial resources. Although management believes the risk of nonperformance by the counterparties to the Company's financial facilities is not significant, in times of severe economic downturn in the credit markets it is possible that one or more sources of external financing may be unable or unwilling to provide funding to the Company.

As of June 28, 2015 the Company's cash and cash equivalents totaled $858,458, substantially all of which is held outside of the United States. Deferred income taxes have not been provided on the majority of undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries as such earnings are indefinitely reinvested by the Company. Accordingly, such international cash balances are not available to fund cash requirements in the United States unless the Company changes its reinvestment policy. The Company currently has sufficient sources of cash in the United States to fund cash requirements without the need to repatriate any funds. If the Company changes its policy of permanently reinvesting international earnings, it would be required to accrue for any additional income taxes representing the difference between the tax rates in the United States and the applicable tax jurisdiction of the international subsidiaries. If the Company repatriated the funds from its international subsidiaries, it would then be required to pay the additional U.S. income tax. The majority of the Company's cash and cash equivalents held outside of the United States as of June 28, 2015 is denominated in the U.S. dollar.

Because of the seasonality in the Company's cash flow, management believes that on an interim basis, rather than discussing only its cash flows, a better understanding of its liquidity and capital resources can be obtained through a discussion of the various balance sheet categories as well. Also, as several of the major categories, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, inventories and short-term borrowings, fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter, again due to the seasonality of its business, management believes that a comparison to the comparable period in the prior year is generally more meaningful than a comparison to the prior quarter or prior year-end.

At June 28, 2015, cash and cash equivalents, net of short-term borrowings, increased to $690,581 from $576,963 at June 29, 2014. Net cash provided by operating activities in the first half of 2015 was $236,104 compared to $109,270 in the first half of 2014. Lower net cash provided by operating activities in 2014 reflects a payment of $58,040 resulting from the settlement of an arbitration award, higher royalty advances, and increased working capital. On a trailing twelve month basis, the Company generated $581,245 in operating cash flows as of the end of the first half of 2015 compared to $212,266 as of the end of the first half of 2014 and $454,411 for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2014.

Accounts receivable decreased 4% to $709,437 at June 28, 2015 from $738,899 at June 29, 2014 and includes a decrease of approximately $100,800 due to a stronger U.S. dollar at June 28, 2015 compared to June 29, 2014. Absent the impact of foreign currency translation, accounts receivable increased approximately 10% reflecting the aforementioned 5% revenue growth, absent foreign exchange translation, in the second quarter of 2015 compared to 2014.  Days sales outstanding was flat from June 29, 2014 to June 28, 2015 at 80 days.

Inventories decreased 18% to $403,789 at June 28, 2015 from $492,822 at June 29, 2014. The inventory balance at June 28, 2015 includes a decrease of approximately $70,900 resulting from a stronger U.S. dollar.  Furthermore, approximately $19,700 of inventories were reclassified as assets held for sale related to the anticipated sale of the Company's manufacturing operations and are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets. Excluding these items, inventories at June 28, 2015 were flat compared to inventories at June 29, 2014.

Prepaid expenses and other current assets increased 12% to $434,145 at June 28, 2015 from  $386,333 at June 29, 2014. The prepaid and other current assets balance at June 28, 2015 included a decrease of approximately $23,800 resulting from a stronger U.S. dollar at June 28, 2015 compared to June 29, 2014. Absent the impact of foreign currency translation, prepaid expenses and other current assets increased approximately 19% compared to June 29, 2014. The majority of increase is due to the higher value of foreign exchange contracts due to a stronger U.S. dollar in 2015 compared to 2014. In addition to these contracts, prepaid expenses and other current assets includes approximately $19,700 in assets held for sale, primarily inventory, related to the anticipated sale of the Company's manufacturing operations as well as higher income tax receivables related to a December 2014 tax settlement in Mexico. These higher balances were partially offset by lower royalty advances.

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities decreased 11% to $638,026 at June 28, 2015 from $715,504 at June 29, 2014. The decrease reflects lower accrued royalties, accrued severance, foreign exchange contracts and accounts payable.

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net decreased to $891,033 at June 28, 2015 from $945,025 at June 29, 2014. The decrease was due to amortization of intangible assets over the last twelve months.

Other assets decreased approximately 6% to $708,334 at June 28, 2015 from $752,484 at June 29, 2014. This decrease primarily reflects the partial sale of the Company's television joint venture in the third quarter of 2014 as well as lower long-term royalty advances. These decreases were partially offset by more favorable foreign exchange contracts as well as higher deferred tax assets reflecting increased pension liabilities in December 2014.  Other assets at June 28, 2015 also includes approximately $26,400 in assets held for sale, primarily property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, related to the anticipated sale of the Company's manufacturing operations. 

Other liabilities increased 11% to $395,417 at June 28, 2015 from $357,766 at June 29, 2014. The increase in 2015 compared to 2014 reflects higher pension liabilities, primarily due to changes in actuarial assumptions, including a lower discount rate and updated mortality tables. The increase in 2015 compared to 2014 reflects the September 2014 amendment to the Company's relationship with Discovery Communications, Inc. which resulted in a net increase to other liabilities of approximately $10,000 reflecting the fair value of the option agreement offset by a reduction in the related tax sharing agreement. These increases were partially offset by lower accruals for uncertain income tax positions at June 28, 2015 compared to June 29, 2014, reflecting the settlement of tax exams primarily related to Mexico.

Net cash utilized by investing activities was $59,003 in the first half of 2015 compared to $52,664 in the first half of 2014. Additions to property, plant and equipment were $67,709 in 2015 compared to $51,636 in 2014. Increased capital expenditures reflect the Company's investment in tooling and information systems. 2015 investing activity also includes approximately $20,700 in capital and tax distributions from Discovery Family Channel partially offset by a $3,000 capital contribution to a 50% joint venture with Guangdong Alpha Animation and Culture Co., Ltd.

Net cash utilized by financing activities was  $202,315 in the first half of 2015 compared to $154,147 in the first half of 2014. Cash payments related to purchases of the Company's common stock were $49,156 in the first half of 2015 compared to $213,935 in the first half of 2014. At June 28, 2015, the Company had $517,340 remaining available under its current share repurchase authorization approved by the Board of Directors. Dividends paid in the first half of 2015 totaled $110,902 compared to $108,097 in the first half of 2014. Repayments of short-term borrowings totaling $84,420 in the first half of 2015 compared to proceeds from short-term borrowings of $1,430 in the first half of 2014. The 2014 cash provided also reflects net proceeds of $559,986 from the issuance of $600,000 in long-term notes in May 2014; these net proceeds include a payment of $33,306 for the termination of forward-starting interest rate swap contracts associated with this expected issuance of debt as well as $6,708 in debt issuance costs. The majority of the proceeds from this issuance were used to repay $425,000 of long-term notes due May 2014.

The Company has an agreement with a group of banks for a commercial paper program (the "Program"). Under the Program, at the request of the Company and subject to market conditions, the banks may either purchase from the Company, or arrange for the sale by the Company, of unsecured commercial paper notes.  Under the Program the Company may issue notes from time to time up to an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any given time of $700,000. The maturities of these notes will vary but may not exceed 397 days.  The notes will be sold under customary terms in the commercial paper market and will be issued at a discount or par, or alternatively, will be sold at par and will bear varying interest rates based on a fixed or floating rate basis.  The interest rates will vary based on market conditions and the ratings assigned to the notes by the credit rating agencies at the time of issuance.  Subject to market conditions, the Company intends to utilize the Program as its primary short-term borrowing facility and does not intend to sell unsecured commercial paper notes in excess of the available amount under the revolving credit agreement, discussed below.  If, for any reason, the Company is unable to access the commercial paper market, the Company intends to use the revolving credit agreement to meet the Company's short-term liquidity needs.  At June 28, 2015 the Company had approximately $166,000 in borrowings outstanding related to the Program.

The Company has a revolving credit agreement (the "Agreement"), which provides it with a $700,000 committed borrowing facility. The Agreement contains certain financial covenants setting forth leverage and coverage requirements, and certain other limitations typical of an investment grade facility, including with respect to liens, mergers and incurrence of indebtedness. The Company was in compliance with all covenants as of and for the quarter ended June 28, 2015. The Company had no borrowings outstanding under its committed revolving credit facility at June 28, 2015. However, the Company had letters of credit outstanding under this facility as of June 28, 2015 of approximately $900. Amounts available and unused under the committed line as of June 28, 2015 were approximately $533,100. The Company also has other uncommitted lines from various banks, of which approximately $21,600 was utilized at June 28, 2015. Of the amount utilized under the uncommitted lines, approximately $1,400 and $20,200 represent outstanding borrowings and letters of credit, respectively.

The Company has principal amounts of long-term debt at June 28, 2015 of $1,559,895 due at varying times from 2017 through 2044. The Company also had letters of credit and other similar instruments of approximately $22,500 and purchase commitments of approximately $416,600 outstanding at June 28, 2015.

Other contractual obligations and commercial commitments, as detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2014, did not materially change outside of payments made in the normal course of business and as otherwise set forth in this report. The table of contractual obligations and commercial commitments, as detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2014, does not include certain tax liabilities recorded related to uncertain tax positions. These liabilities were $41,485 at June 28, 2015, and are included as a component of other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The Company believes that cash from operations, and, if necessary, its committed line of credit and other borrowing facilities, will allow the Company to meet these and other obligations listed.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND SIGNIFICANT ESTIMATES

The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  As such, management is required to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that it believes are reasonable based on the information available.  These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the periods presented.  The significant accounting policies which management believes are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating the Company's reported financial results include sales allowances, program production costs, recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets, recoverability of royalty advances and commitments, pension costs and obligations and income taxes. These critical accounting policies are the same as those detailed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2014.

FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

The Company is exposed to market risks attributable to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily as the result of sourcing products priced in U.S. dollars, Hong Kong dollars and Euros while marketing those products in more than twenty currencies. Results of operations may be affected primarily by changes in the value of the U.S. dollar, Hong Kong dollar, Euro, British pound sterling, Swiss franc, Canadian dollar, Brazilian real, Russian ruble and Mexican peso and, to a lesser extent, other currencies in European, Latin American and Asia Pacific countries.

To manage this exposure, the Company has hedged a portion of its forecasted foreign currency transactions for fiscal years 2015 through 2019 using foreign exchange forward contracts. The Company is also exposed to foreign currency risk with respect to its net cash and cash equivalents or short-term borrowing positions in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The Company believes, however, that the on-going risk on the net exposure should not be material to its financial condition. In addition, the Company's revenues and costs have been, and will likely continue to be, affected by changes in foreign currency rates. A significant change in foreign exchange rates can materially impact the Company's revenues and earnings due to translation of foreign-denominated revenues and expenses. The Company does not hedge against translation impacts of foreign exchange. From time to time, affiliates of the Company may make or receive intercompany loans in currencies other than their functional currency. The Company manages this exposure at the time the loan is made by using foreign exchange contracts.  Other than as set forth above, the Company does not hedge foreign currency exposures.

The Company reflects all forward contracts at their fair value as an asset or liability on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not speculate in foreign currency exchange contracts. At June 28, 2015, these contracts had net unrealized gains of $103,158, of which $51,974 are recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets, $53,932 are recorded in other assets, $2,677 are recorded in accrued liabilities and $71 are recorded in other liabilities. Included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at June 28, 2015 are deferred gains, net of tax, of $98,835, related to these derivatives.

At June 28, 2015, the Company had fixed rate long-term debt of $1,559,895. Of this long-term debt, $600,000 represents the aggregate issuance of long-term debt in May 2014 which consisted of $300,000 of 3.15% Notes Due 2021 and $300,000 of 5.10% Notes Due 2044.  The Company had forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with a total notional value of $500,000 related to the May 2014 issuance which hedged the anticipated underlying U.S. Treasury interest rate. These interest rate swaps were matched with this debt issuance and were designated and effective as hedges of the change in future interest payments. At the date of debt issuance, the Company terminated these interest rate swap agreements and their fair value was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and is being amortized through the consolidated statements of operations using an effective interest rate method over the life of the related debt. Included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at June 28, 2015 are deferred losses, net of tax, of $19,937 related to these derivatives.
 
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

The information required by this item is included in Part I Item 2. "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of June 28, 2015. Based on the evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act, during the quarter ended June 28, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

The Company is currently party to certain legal proceedings, none of which it believes to be material to its business or financial condition.


Item 1A. Risk Factors.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains "forward-looking statements," within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, concerning management's expectations, goals, objectives, and similar matters. These forward-looking statements may include statements concerning the Company's product and entertainment plans, anticipated product and entertainment performance, business opportunities and strategies, financial and business goals, expectations for achieving the Company's financial and business goals, cost savings and efficiency enhancing initiatives and other objectives and anticipated uses of cash and may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "expect," "intend," "look forward," "may," "planned," "potential," "should," "will," and "would" or any variations of words with similar meanings. These forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties.

The Company's actual results or experience may differ materially from those expected or anticipated in the forward-looking statements. The Company has included, under Item 1A. of its Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 28, 2014 (the "Annual Report"), a discussion of factors which may impact these forward-looking statements. In furtherance, and not in limitation, of the more detailed discussion set forth in the Annual Report, specific factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to:

· the Company's ability to successfully re-imagine, re-invent and re-ignite its existing brands, products and product lines, including through the use of immersive entertainment experiences, to maintain and further their success;
· the Company's ability to successfully design, develop, produce, introduce, market and sell innovative new brands, products and product lines which achieve and sustain interest from retailers and consumers and keep pace with changes in consumer preferences and lifestyles;
· the Company's ability to offer products that (i) expand consumer demand for its product offerings and do not significantly compete with the Company's other existing product offerings and (ii) consumers want to purchase and select over competitors' products;
· the Company's ability to manufacture, source and ship products in a timely and cost-effective manner and customers' and consumers' acceptance and purchase of those products in quantities and at prices that will be sufficient to profitably recover the Company's costs for developing, marketing and selling those products;
· recessions, other economic downturns or challenging economic conditions affecting the Company's markets which can negatively impact the financial health of the Company's retail customers and consumers, and which can result in lower employment levels, lower consumer disposable income and spending, including lower spending on purchases of the Company's products;
· potential difficulties or delays the Company may experience in implementing its cost savings and efficiency enhancing initiatives or the realization of fewer benefits than are expected from such initiatives;
· currency fluctuations, including movements in foreign exchange rates, which can lower the Company's net revenues and earnings, and significantly impact the Company's costs;
· other economic and public health conditions or regulatory changes in the markets in which the Company and its customers and suppliers operate, which could create delays or increase the Company's costs, such as higher commodity prices, labor costs or higher transportation costs or outbreaks of diseases;
· delays, increased costs or difficulties associated with the development and offering of our or our partners' planned digital applications or media initiatives based on the Company's brands;
· the concentration of the Company's retail customers, potentially increasing the negative impact to the Company of difficulties experienced by any of the Company's retail customers or changes in their purchasing or selling patterns;
· the Company's ability to generate sales during the fourth quarter, particularly during the relatively brief holiday shopping season, which is the period in which the Company derives a substantial portion of its revenues and earnings;
· the inventory policies of the Company's retail customers, including the retailers' potential decisions to lower their inventories, even if it results in lost sales, as well as the concentration of the Company's revenues in the second half and fourth quarter of the year, which coupled with reliance by retailers on quick response inventory management techniques, increases the risk of underproduction of popular items, overproduction of less popular items and failure to achieve compressed shipping schedules;
· work stoppages or disruptions which may impact the Company's ability to manufacture or deliver products in a timely and cost-effective manner;
· concentration of manufacturing of the substantial majority of the Company's products by third party vendors in the People's Republic of China and the associated impact to the Company of social, economic or public health conditions and other factors affecting China, the movement of people and products into and out of China, the cost of producing products in China and the cost of exporting them to the Company's other markets or affecting the exchange rates for the Chinese Renminbi, including, without limitation, the impact of tariffs or other trade restrictions being imposed upon goods manufactured in China;
· consumer interest in and acceptance of Discovery Family, the Company's cable television joint venture with Discovery Communications, the programming appearing on Discovery Family, products related to Discovery Family's programming, and other factors impacting the financial performance of the Discovery Family channel;
· consumer interest in and acceptance of programming and entertainment created by Hasbro Studios and/or our other entertainment partners, as well as products related to such programming and entertainment;
· the ability to develop and distribute compelling entertainment, including television, motion pictures and digital content, based on our brands, in a timely and financially profitable manner, and the success of that entertainment in driving consumer interest in and engagement with our brands;
· the ability of the Company to hire and retain key officers and employees who are critical to the Company's success;
· the costs of complying with product safety and consumer protection requirements worldwide, including the risk that greater regulation in the future may increase such costs, may require changes in the Company's products and/or may impact the Company's ability to sell some products in particular markets in the absence of making changes to such products;
· the risk that one of the Company's third-party manufacturers will not comply with applicable labor, consumer protection, product safety or other laws or regulations, or with aspects of the Company's Global Business Ethics Principles, and that such noncompliance will not be promptly detected, either of which could cause damage to the Company's reputation, harm sales of its products and potentially create liability for the Company;
· an adverse change in purchasing policies or promotional programs or the bankruptcy or other economic difficulties or lack of success of one or more of the Company's significant retailers comprising its relatively concentrated retail customer base, which could negatively impact the Company's revenues or bad debt exposure;
· the risk that the market appeal of the Company's licensed products will be less than expected or that sales revenue generated by these products will be insufficient to cover the minimum guaranteed royalties;
· the risk the Company will lose rights to a significant licensed property or properties, which will harm the Company's revenues and earnings;
· the risk that the Company may face product recalls or product liability suits relating to products it manufactures or distributes which may have significant direct costs to the Company and which may also harm the reputation of the Company and its products, potentially harming future product sales;
· the impact of competition on revenues, margins and other aspects of the Company's business, including the ability to offer Company products which consumers choose to buy instead of competitor products, the ability to secure, maintain and renew popular licenses and the ability to attract and retain employees;
· the risk that anticipated benefits of acquisitions may not occur or be delayed or reduced in their realization;
· the Company's ability to obtain and enforce intellectual property rights both in the United States and other worldwide territories;
· the risk that any litigation or arbitration disputes or government and regulatory investigations could entail significant resources and expense and result in significant fines or other harm to the Company's business or reputation;
· the Company's ability to maintain or obtain external financing on terms acceptable to it in order to meet working capital needs;
· the risk that one or more of the counterparties to the Company's financing arrangements may experience financial difficulties or otherwise be unable or unwilling to allow the Company to access financing under such arrangements;
· the Company's ability to generate sufficient available cash flow to service its outstanding debt;
· restrictions that the Company is subject to under its credit agreement;
· unforeseen circumstances, such as severe softness in or collapse of the retail environment that may result in a significant decline in revenues and operating results of the Company, thereby causing the Company to be in non-compliance with its debt covenants and the Company being unable to utilize borrowings under its revolving credit facility, a circumstance likely to occur when operating shortfalls would result in the Company being in the greatest need of such supplementary borrowings;
· market conditions, third party actions or approvals, the impact of competition and other factors that could delay or increase the cost of implementation of the Company's programs, or alter the Company's actions and reduce actual results;
· the risk that the Company may be subject to governmental penalties, fines, sanctions or additional taxes for failure to comply with applicable laws or regulations in any of the markets in which it operates, or that governmental regulations or requirements will require changes in the manner in which the company does business and/or increase the costs of doing business;
· failure to operate our information systems and implement new technology effectively, as well as maintain the systems and processes designed to protect our electronic data;
· the risk that the Company's reported goodwill may become impaired, requiring the Company to take a charge against its income; or
· other risks and uncertainties as are or may be detailed from time to time in the Company's public announcements and filings with the SEC, such as filings on Forms 8-K, 10-Q and 10-K.

The Company undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of the filing of this report.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Repurchases Made in the Quarter (in whole dollars and number of shares)
 
 
 
 
Period
 
 
(a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased
   
(b) Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)
   
(c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
   
(d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
 
April 2015
3/30/15 – 4/26/15
   
100,365
   
$
63.83
     
100,365
   
$
532,552,527
 
May 2015
4/27/15 – 5/31/15
   
120,000
   
$
71.52
     
120,000
   
$
523,970,018
 
June 2015
6/1/15 – 6/28/15
   
91,100
   
$
72.77
     
91,100
   
$
517,340,236
 
Total
   
311,465
   
$
69.41
     
311,465
   
$
517,340,236
 

 On August 1, 2013, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of a $500 million in common stock. On February 9, 2015, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $500 million in common stock. Purchases of the Company's common stock may be made from time to time, subject to market conditions. These shares may be repurchased in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. The Company has no obligation to repurchase shares under this authorization, and the timing, actual number, and value of the shares that are repurchased will depend on a number of factors, including the price of the Company's stock. The Company may suspend or discontinue the program at any time and there is no expiration date.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

None.

Item 6. Exhibits.


3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 2, 2000, File No. 1-6682.)
3.2 Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, dated June 28, 2000. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 2, 2000, File No. 1-6682.)

3.3 Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, dated May 19, 2003.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 29, 2003, File No. 1-6682.)

3.4 Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(d) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, File No. 1-6682.)

3.5 Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 6, 2014, File No. 1-6682.)

3.6 Certificate of Designations of Series C Junior Participating Preference Stock of Hasbro, Inc. dated June 29, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 2, 2000, File No. 1-6682.)

3.7 Certificate of Vote(s) authorizing a decrease of class or series of any class of shares. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 2, 2000, File No 1-6682.)

4.1 Indenture, dated as of July 17, 1998, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as successor Trustee to Citibank, N.A. as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 14, 1998, File No. 1-6682.)

4.2 Indenture, dated as of March 15, 2000, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as successor Trustee to the Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company of New York. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b)(i) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 1999, File No. 1-6682.)

4.3 First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 17, 2007, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as successor Trustee to the Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company of New York. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 17, 2007, File No. 1-6682.)

4.4 Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 13, 2009, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as successor Trustee to the Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company of New York. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 13, 2009, File No. 1-6682.)

4.5 Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 11, 2010, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as successor Trustee to the Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company of New York.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 11, 2010, File No. 1-6682.)

4.6 Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated May 13, 2014, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as successor Trustee to the Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company of New York.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 13, 2014, file No. 1-6682.)

31.1 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

31.2 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

31.1* Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

31.2* Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

101.INS XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.SCH Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document

101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
* Furnished herewith.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
 HASBRO, INC.
 
 (Registrant)
 
Date: July 29, 2015
By:  /s/ Deborah Thomas
 
Deborah Thomas
   
 
Executive Vice President and
 
 Chief Financial Officer
 
(Duly Authorized Officer and
 
 Principal Financial Officer)


Exhibit Index

Exhibit
 
No.
Exhibits

3.1
Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 2, 2000, File No. 1-6682.)
 
 
3.2
Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, dated June 28, 2000. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 2, 2000, File No. 1-6682.)
 
 
3.3
Amendment to Articles of Incorporation, dated May 19, 2003.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 29, 2003, File No. 1-6682.)
 
 
3.4
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(d) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, File No. 1-6682.)
 
 
3.5
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 6, 2014, File No. 1-6682).
 
3.6
Certificate of Designations of Series C Junior Participating Preference Stock of Hasbro, Inc. dated June 29, 1999. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 2, 2000, File No. 1-6682.)
 
3.7
Certificate of Vote(s) authorizing a decrease of class or series of any class of shares. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 2, 2000, File No 1-6682.)
 
4.1
Indenture, dated as of July 17, 1998, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as successor Trustee to Citibank, N.A. as Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 14, 1998, File No. 1-6682.)
 
 
4.2
Indenture, dated as of March 15, 2000, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as successor Trustee to the Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company of New York. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b)(i) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 26, 1999, File No. 1-6682.)
 
 
4.3
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 17, 2007, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as successor Trustee to the Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company of New York. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 17, 2007, File No. 1-6682.)
4.4
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 13, 2009, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as successor Trustee to the Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company of New York. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 13, 2009, File No. 1-6682.)
 
 
4.5
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 11, 2010, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as successor Trustee to the Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company of New York.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 11, 2010, File No. 1-6682.)
 
 
4.6
Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated May 13, 2014, between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. as successor Trustee to the Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company of New York.  (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 13, 2014, file No. 1-6682.)
 
 
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
 
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
 
 32.1*
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
 
 32.2*
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
 
 
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
* Furnished herewith.