Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) Falls 8% On Disappointing Q1 Financial Results

Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) shares fell 8% after the company reported first-quarter financial results that fell short of Wall Street expectations. The company posted a 16% decline in net revenues that came in at $716.3 million, compared to $849.7 million reported last year.

Q1 Financial Results

Net revenues in Canada and the U.S dropped 19% to $364.3 million, compared to $451.6 million reported a year earlier. The segment also reported a net operating loss of (-$23.4) million compared to an operating profit of $64.8 million, reported in the first quarter of last year. International segment revenue came in at $287.9 million compared to $345.3 million as of last year

The company recorded lower than expected revenue in the quarter partly because of a loss of revenue from Toys“R” Us in the U.S and Europe. The Toy store underwent liquidation in the quarter a move that has affected its operations in key markets.

Overall Hasbro plunged into a net loss of (-$112.5) million or $0.90 a share in the quarter, compared to net earnings of $68.6 million reported a year earlier.

Despite the Q1 disappointment, Hasbro says it is on course to generate between $600 million and $700 million in operating free cash flow before the end of the year. Operating profit margin, on the other hand, is expected to be in line with 2017 levels of 15.6%, excluding expenses associated with Toys“R” Us.

Hasbro expects the first-quarter headwind’s to be over by the end of the first half of the year. The management expects the company to bounce back to growth in 2019, having issued impressive operating margin figures for the full year.

“Hasbro brands are resonating with consumers, and consumer takeaway is positive. However, as we discussed earlier in the year, our first quarter was expected to be difficult. We are working to put the near-term disruption from Toys“R” Us behind us,” said Brian Goldner, Hasbro’s chairman and chief executive officer.

Shareholder Value Return

Hasbro paid $70.8 million in cash dividends in the first quarter further affirming its credential when it comes to the generation of shareholder value. The company has already scheduled a $0.63 dividend payment to be paid to shareholders on May 15, 2018.

In addition, the company repurchased 427,000 shares of common stock in the quarter for a total cost of $38.8 million, at an average price of $90.81 a share. The company still has about $19.2 million remaining in its current share repurchase authorization.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, the company’s financial strength is sound which should allow it to navigate the near-term challenges with ease. The first quarter revenue and profits according to the executive were negatively impacted by events that do not reflect the health of the company’s underlying health.

In a bid to reinvigorate growth in bottom line Hasbro plans to venture into media content through partnerships with the likes of Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS) as a way of backing the toys the business.