Hasbro Tops Profit Estimates in Q4, Boosted by Transformers, Marvel Toys

The appetite for superheroes and robots in disguise led to a healthy fourth quarter at Hasbro, even as a shift away from traditional toys has rattled the industry. Earnings came in at $1.22 a share, two cents higher than forecasts. Sales came in at $1.3 billion, which was just slightly below estimates. Hasbro said Monday that sales of toys geared toward boys increased 21%, with a strong showing from Transformers, Nerf and Marvel. Hasbro also raised its quarterly dividend by 7% to 46 cents a share. Shares of the company jumped in early trading.