Mattel's Stock Surges on Report of Authentic Brands Interest -- Barrons.com

By Janet H. Cho

Mattel stock jumped more than 25% on Thursday afternoon after a report that Authentic Brands was interested in a possible takeover of the toy maker.

The stock settled 18.8% higher at the close at $15.04, its highest close since March 13, when it reached $16.06, according to Dow Jones Market Data. The stock traded as high as $17.23 intraday on Thursday, the highest level since Feb. 26.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Authentic Brands Group, a global brands and entertainment platform, had approached Mattel with an offer that could value it at more than $20 a share. Authentic Brands could not be immediately reached for comment.

A Mattel spokesperson told Barron's via email that "As a matter of company policy, we do not comment on market rumors or speculation."

Mattel stock dropped 4% on Wednesday after the company said CEO Ynon Kreiz would step down as chairman and CEO effective Friday to take a senior leadership position at Paramount after the company combines with Warner Bros. Discovery. The news was initially reported by Variety, citing two industry sources.

Roger Lynch, Mattel's independent lead director and a board member since 2018, will be appointed chairman effective Friday. He will succeed Kreiz as CEO effective on or before Nov. 2, Mattel said.

On Tuesday, Kreiz told the Goldman Sachs Consumer and Retail Conference that Mattel is "very confident about continued growth" and anticipates achieving its guidance. Mattel last month forecast fiscal-year earnings of $1.27 to $1.39 a share, below Wall Street projections of $1.59 a share and revenue growth of 3% to 6%.

Mattel stock is down 19.9% this year, on pace for its worst year since 2018, when the stock fell 35%, and down nearly 7.8% over the past 12 months.

Write to Janet H. Cho at janet.cho@dowjones.com

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October 01, 2026 16:17 ET (20:17 GMT)