SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August 9, 2019--JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) today reported preliminary financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2019.

Second Quarter 2019 Overview vs. Same Period Last Year

• Net sales for the second quarter were $95.2 million compared to $105.8 million reported in the comparable period in 2018. Sales in the 2019 second quarter were negatively impacted primarily by a decline in sales of Incredibles 2 which more than offset strong growth in Disguise costumes and the introduction of several new toy lines tied to entertainment content.
• Gross margin was 18.6%, compared to 26.4% in the second quarter of 2018.
• Net loss attributable to JAKKS Pacific was $22.5 million, or $0.96 per diluted share. This compares to a net loss attributable to JAKKS Pacific of $18.6 million, or $0.80 per diluted share, reported in the second quarter of 2018.
• Adjusted EBITDA was negative $11.5 million, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of negative $8.5 million in the 2018 second quarter. See note below on “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information.”

Management Commentary

“As expected, our results for the second quarter showed the effect of declines in products that contributed strongly to results in the second quarter of last year,” said Stephen Berman, CEO of JAKKS Pacific. “We saw strong growth in our Disguise, Halloween costume business, and strong contributions from toys tied to several new theatrical releases, including Aladdin, Godzilla and Toy Story 4, but these were more than offset by the declines in toys tied to Incredibles 2 and our Squish Dee Lish products. As we have noted before, our sales this year have been shifted to the second half as a result of the timing of several films and television shows, notably Frozen 2, as well as Toy Story 4, the 30^th Anniversary of the release of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and Disney Jr.’s Gigantosaurus animated TV series.

We remain confident that our second half sales will show renewed strength, as the disruptions caused by Toys R Us’ liquidation in the United States no longer weigh down the industry. This coupled with the recently announced Recapitalization transaction to strengthen our balance sheet provides a clearer pathway to the future here at JAKKS.”

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash) totaled $37.0 million as of June 30, 2019 compared to $47.4 million as of March 31, 2019 and $63.0 million as of June 30, 2018.

2019 Outlook

Our goal for 2019 is to grow sales by approximately 5% on a year-over-year basis with improved levels of Adjusted EBITDA compared to 2018.

Recapitalization Transaction

As discussed in the Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 9, 2019, the Company entered into multiple, binding definitive agreements (collectively, the “Recapitalization”) among Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Oasis Investments II Master Fund Ltd. and an ad hoc group of holders of the 4.875% convertible senior notes due 2020 to recapitalize the Company’s balance sheet, including the extension to the Company of incremental liquidity and three-year extensions of substantially all of the Company’s outstanding convertible debt obligations and revolving credit facility. The Company’s term loan agreement entered into with Great American Capital Partners will be paid in full in connection with the Recapitalization transaction.