Trump's Tariffs Impact Toy Manufacturer Competing with Hasbro and Lego, Leading to Decline in Growth Score
Impact of Trade Policies: A U.S.-based toy-maker is struggling due to the trade and tariff policies of President Trump, leading to declining sales and stock prices despite easing trade tensions.
Decline in Growth Metrics: JAKKS Pacific Inc. experienced a significant drop in its Growth score from 98.07 to 26.33 in Benzinga’s Edge Stock Rankings, reflecting negative revenue trends and a 34% year-over-year revenue decline.
Financial Performance: The company reported a profit decrease from $54 million to $20.6 million year-over-year, with no guidance provided for the full year amid macroeconomic uncertainties.
Stock Performance: JAKKS Pacific's stock has fallen 40.33% year-to-date, performing poorly across Momentum and Growth metrics in Benzinga’s rankings, indicating unfavorable price trends.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Analyst Views on HAS
About HAS
About the author


- Market Performance: The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 2.5% and closed above 50,000 for the first time.
- Nasdaq Struggles: In contrast, the Nasdaq Composite ended the week down 1.8%, despite a strong rally on Friday.
- Job Data Expectations: The U.S. is expected to add 60,000 jobs in January, up from 50,000 in December, which could influence the Fed's monetary policy direction amidst ongoing economic uncertainty.
- Inflation Metrics Analysis: The January Consumer Price Index is projected to rise by 0.29% month-over-month and 2.5% year-over-year, showing improvement but still falling short of the Fed's 2% target, potentially affecting investor rate expectations.
- Market Reaction and Risks: Recent signs of labor market weakness, including an ADP report indicating only 22,000 new private sector jobs, may heighten expectations for further Fed rate cuts, although investors remain optimistic about economic resilience.
- Stock Market Rotation Trend: A significant rotation within the stock market is underway, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising over 2% this week, reflecting confidence in economic recovery, despite ongoing weakness in tech stocks.
- Analyst Optimism: Roth Capital analyst Eric Handler reiterated a Buy rating on Hasbro stock, raising the price target from $96 to $105, reflecting strong franchise momentum that is expected to drive further stock appreciation.
- New Licensing Deal: Hasbro has partnered with Amazon MGM Studios to develop toys, action figures, and roleplay products based on the classic Voltron brand, enhancing its position within the portfolio of iconic 80s brands while opening new market opportunities.
- Film Project Support: The Voltron movie, directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber and featuring stars like Henry Cavill and Sterling K. Brown, involves multiple production companies, showcasing Hasbro's strong influence in the entertainment sector and further monetizing its intellectual property.
- Stock Performance: Hasbro shares rose 1.43% to $96.01 on Wednesday, reaching a new 52-week high, indicating positive market reactions to its new strategies and product lines, suggesting potential for future growth.
- New Toy Collaboration: Hasbro has announced a licensing partnership with Amazon MGM Studios to produce action figures and roleplay toys for the upcoming live-action Voltron movie, enriching its portfolio of iconic 80s brands.
- Strategic Brand Alignment: Hasbro highlighted that Voltron's long history aligns well with its brand strategy, which is expected to enhance the franchise's longevity and create new market opportunities for the company.
- Film Production Update: Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, the film features a cast including Henry Cavill, Sterling K. Brown, Alba Baptista, and Rita Ora, and is currently in post-production with a planned 2026 release on Prime Video.
- Acquisition Context: Amazon's acquisition of MGM Studios in 2021 for approximately $8.45 billion was aimed at developing new film and series projects to bolster Prime Video's catalog, thereby increasing engagement with its broader Prime membership base.
- Analyst Rating Upgrade: Hasbro (HAS) has received an upgrade to a 'Buy' rating from analysts, indicating a growing confidence in the company's future performance, which may attract more investor interest.
- Price Target Set: Analysts have established a mean price target of $94.75 for Hasbro, reflecting optimistic expectations regarding the company's future profitability and market performance, potentially driving the stock price higher.
- Market Reaction Anticipated: With the rating upgrade and price target set, Hasbro's stock price is expected to positively respond, likely attracting more institutional investors and enhancing market liquidity.
- Investor Confidence Boost: The upgrade in rating and price target may bolster investor confidence in Hasbro, promoting its market position in the toy and entertainment industry and further driving the company's strategic development.
- Licensing Agreement: Hasbro has secured a licensing agreement with Legendary Entertainment for the upcoming live-action Street Fighter movie, granting the toy maker rights to produce action figures, toys, and collectibles, marking a significant move in the game adaptation film space.
- Movie Release Timing: The film is set to hit theaters in October, with Hasbro's related products expected to launch simultaneously, likely attracting significant attention from fans and gamers, thereby driving sales growth.
- Significance of Brand Return: Tim Kilpin, President of Toy, Licensing, and Entertainment at Hasbro, emphasized that returning to Street Fighter is not just a collaboration but a homecoming, highlighting Hasbro's commitment to the brand's value.
- Continuation of Historical Product Line: Hasbro previously created a line of toys, vehicles, and playsets from Street Fighter II: The World Warrior, and this new licensing will further solidify its position in the gaming merchandise market.










