Mattel profits rise 3 percent
Published 9:00 pm Monday, January 29, 2007
Mattel Inc., the world’s largest toy maker, said Monday its fourth quarter profit rose 3 percent boosted by strong sales of its Barbie and Fisher-price toys, including the popular T.M.X. Elmo doll. The company’s profits also benefited from continuing strong sales of products related to the Disney-Pixar animated film “Cars,” giving the company a tough challenge as it heads into 2007 without a major film-related product line. Mattel reported net income of $286.4 million, or 75 cents per share, for the three months ended Dec. 31, compared with $279.2 million, or 69 cents per share, a year ago.
2006 job growth strong for state
Last year’s job growth rate in Washington was double the national average, ranking the state sixth in the nation. Gov. Christine Gregoire’s office and the Employment Security Department reported that the professional and business services sector had the largest gains in 2006, adding 18,100 new jobs. The construction and manufacturing industries also saw strong growth. Overall, more than 79,000 new jobs were created, representing an annual growth rate of 2.8 percent. The national average was 1.4 percent. The average unemployment rate in the state last year was 4.9 percent, the lowest average rate in the state since 1999.
Kimberly-Clark hires outside staff
Kimberly-Clark Corp., the maker of Kleenex tissues and Huggies diapers, said Monday it would outsource a range of personnel services to consulting firm Accenture Ltd. Bermuda-based Accenture will handle recruitment, payroll administration, training and other personnel functions for the company, which owns a pulp mill and a tissue mill in Everett.
McDonald’s fries get healthier oil
McDonald’s Corp. has finally selected a new trans-fat-free oil for cooking its french fries after years of testing, the fast-food chain said Monday. Spokesman Walt Riker said the oil is currently in more than 1,200 U.S. restaurants after extensive testing, but declined to provide details on timing or locations.
CNet Networks sees profit plunge
CNet Networks Inc.’s fourth-quarter profit plunged 70 percent, dragged down by the fallout from a stock-option scandal that will force the Web provider of technology news and reviews to record more than $100 million losses dating back to 1996. The San Francisco-based company said Monday it earned $6.3 million, or 4 cents per share, during the final three months of 2006. That compared with net income of $20.7 million, or 13 cents per share, at the same time in 2005.
From Herald staff and news services
