In the last few minutes, Hasbro have announced their third-quarter profits and they are even higher than expected. Profits rose by an incredible 62.2% from 99.6 million dollars to 161.6 million dollars when compared to the same period in 2006, with an 18% rise for the quarter. There was a 33% of the rise in international markets (that is, non North American territories). Here a report by Reuters

"NEW YORK (Reuters) - Hasbro Inc (HAS.N), the second-largest U.S. toy company, posted a higher quarterly profit on Monday, helped by sales at its Playskool brand and continued strong demand for products tied to the Transformers movie.

The maker of Nerf balls and the board game Monopoly said third-quarter earnings rose to $161.6 million, or 95 cents a share, from $99.6 million, or 58 cents a share, a year earlier.

Excluding a gain from a tax adjustment, profit was 78 cents a share. Analysts on average were expecting 71 cents, according to Reuters Estimates.

Hasbro said quarterly sales rose 18 percent to $1.22 billion. Analysts were expecting about $1.14 billion.

Sales rose 10 percent at Hasbro's North American division and 33 percent in the international segment.

"We are well positioned for the all-important holiday season," Chief Executive Alfred Verrecchia said in a statement.

Hasbro said it had repurchased 12.9 million shares of common stock for $362.1 million during the quarter.

The results came a week after industry leader Mattel Inc (MAT.N) posted a slightly lower quarterly profit because of costs and disruptions from its recent global recalls of potentially dangerous toys.

Although Hasbro's toys were not among those plucked from shelves worldwide due to lead paint or magnet hazards, the company might still feel the effects of consumer wariness, Sterne Agee analyst Margaret Whitfield said in an October 17 research note.

"The recall issue may have impacted consumer demand for toys across the board," wrote Whitfield, who has a "buy" rating on Hasbro's stock.

But Hasbro might also benefit from consumer defections from Mattel brands, like Polly Pocket and Fisher-Price, that have seen recalls, Whitfield added."