10-Q 1 mat9301710-q.htm 10-Q
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
___________________________________________________________
FORM 10-Q
___________________________________________________________
(Mark One)

ý | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017

¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number 001-05647
___________________________________________________________
MATTEL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
___________________________________________________________

Delaware |  | 95-1567322
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |  | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

333 Continental Blvd. El Segundo, CA |  | 90245-5012
(Address of principal executive offices) |  | (Zip Code)

(310) 252-2000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report):
NONE
___________________________________________________________
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer |  | ý |  | Accelerated filer |  | ¨
Non-accelerated filer |  | ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |  | Smaller reporting company |  | ¨
|  |  |  | Emerging growth company |  | ¨

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No ý
Number of shares outstanding of registrant’s common stock, $1.00 par value, as of October 13, 2017:
343,729,550 shares
1

MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

|  | Page
| PART I |
Item 1. | Financial Statements | 4
| Consolidated Balance Sheets | 4
| Consolidated Statements of Operations | 5
| Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income | 6
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | 7
| Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | 8
Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 31
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 49
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures | 51
| PART II |
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings | 52
Item 1A. | Risk Factors | 52
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 52
Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities | 52
Item 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures | 52
Item 5. | Other Information | 52
Item 6. | Exhibits | 53
| Signature | 54

2

(Cautionary Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995)
Mattel is including this Cautionary Statement to caution investors and qualify for the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”) for forward-looking statements. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. The use of words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “confident that” and “believes,” among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on currently available operating, financial, economic and other information, and are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties. A variety of factors, many of which are beyond our control, could cause actual future results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Specific factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to: (i) Mattel’s ability to design, develop, produce, manufacture, source and ship products on a timely and cost-effective basis, as well as interest in and purchase of those products by retail customers and consumers in quantities and at prices that will be sufficient to profitably recover Mattel’s costs; (ii) downturns in economic conditions affecting Mattel’s markets which can negatively impact retail customers and consumers, and which can result in lower employment levels, lower consumer disposable income and spending, including lower spending on purchases of Mattel’s products; (iii) other factors which can lower discretionary consumer spending, such as higher costs for fuel and food, drops in the value of homes or other consumer assets, and high levels of consumer debt; (iv) potential difficulties or delays Mattel may experience in implementing cost savings and efficiency enhancing initiatives; (v) other economic and public health conditions or regulatory changes in the markets in which Mattel and its customers and suppliers operate, which could create delays or increase Mattel’s costs, such as higher commodity prices, labor costs or transportation costs, or outbreaks of disease; (vi) currency fluctuations, including movements in foreign exchange rates, which can lower Mattel’s net revenues and earnings, and significantly impact Mattel’s costs; (vii) the concentration of the Mattel’s customers, potentially increasing the negative impact to Mattel of difficulties experienced by any of Mattel’s customers, including the bankruptcy of Toys “R” Us, Inc., or changes in their purchasing or selling patterns; (viii) the future willingness of licensors of entertainment properties for which Mattel currently has licenses or would seek to have licenses in the future to license those products to Mattel; (ix) the inventory policies of Mattel’s retail customers, including retailers’ potential decisions to lower their inventories, even if it results in lost sales, as well as the concentration of Mattel’s revenues in the second half of the year, which coupled with reliance by retailers on quick response inventory management techniques increases the risk of underproduction of popular items, overproduction of less popular items and failure to achieve compressed shipping schedules; (x) the increased costs of developing more sophisticated digital and smart technology products, and the corresponding supply chain and design challenges associated with such products; (xi) work disruptions, which may impact Mattel’s ability to manufacture or deliver product in a timely and cost-effective manner; (xii) the bankruptcy of Toys “R” Us, Inc. or other of Mattel’s significant retailers, or the general lack of success of one of Mattel’s significant retailers which could negatively impact Mattel’s revenues or bad debt exposure; (xiii) the impact of competition on revenues, margins and other aspects of Mattel’s business, including the ability to offer products which consumers choose to buy instead of competitive products, the ability to secure, maintain and renew popular licenses and the ability to attract and retain talented employees; (xiv) the risk of product recalls or product liability suits and costs associated with product safety regulations; (xv) changes in laws or regulations in the United States and/or in other major markets in which Mattel operates, including, without limitation, with respect to taxes, tariffs or product safety, which may increase Mattel’s product costs and other costs of doing business, and reduce Mattel’s earnings, (xvi) failure to realize the planned benefits from any investments or acquisitions made by Mattel, (xvii) the impact of other market conditions, third party actions or approvals and competition which could reduce demand for Mattel’s products or delay or increase the cost of implementation of Mattel’s programs or alter Mattel’s actions and reduce actual results; (xviii) changes in financing markets or the inability of Mattel to obtain financing on attractive terms (xix) the impact of litigation or arbitration decisions or settlement actions; and (xx) other risks and uncertainties detailed in Part 1, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in Mattel’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Mattel does not update forward-looking statements and expressly disclaims any obligation to do so.
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PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | December 31, 2016
| (Unaudited; in thousands, except share data)
ASSETS |  |  |  |  |
Current Assets |  |  |  |  |
Cash and equivalents | $ | 181,308 |  |  | $ | 297,089 |  |  | $ | 869,531 |
Accounts receivable, net | 1,506,145 |  |  | 1,528,808 |  |  | 1,115,217 |
Inventories | 989,995 |  |  | 910,546 |  |  | 613,798 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 352,711 |  |  | 342,362 |  |  | 341,518 |
Total current assets | 3,030,159 |  |  | 3,078,805 |  |  | 2,940,064 |
Noncurrent Assets |  |  |  |  |
Property, plant, and equipment, net | 821,228 |  |  | 747,451 |  |  | 773,965 |
Goodwill | 1,397,642 |  |  | 1,392,155 |  |  | 1,387,628 |
Other noncurrent assets | 950,655 |  |  | 1,430,456 |  |  | 1,392,137 |
Total Assets | $ | 6,199,684 |  |  | $ | 6,648,867 |  |  | $ | 6,493,794 |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY |  |  |  |  |
Current Liabilities |  |  |  |  |
Short-term borrowings | $ | 732,649 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 192,168 |
Current portion of long-term debt | 250,000 |  |  | 300,000 |  |  | — |
Accounts payable | 713,488 |  |  | 694,757 |  |  | 664,857 |
Accrued liabilities | 568,845 |  |  | 629,114 |  |  | 628,826 |
Income taxes payable | 32,296 |  |  | 21,695 |  |  | 19,722 |
Total current liabilities | 2,297,278 |  |  | 1,645,566 |  |  | 1,505,573 |
Noncurrent Liabilities |  |  |  |  |
Long-term debt | 1,886,404 |  |  | 2,133,489 |  |  | 2,134,271 |
Other noncurrent liabilities | 576,327 |  |  | 454,434 |  |  | 446,168 |
Total noncurrent liabilities | 2,462,731 |  |  | 2,587,923 |  |  | 2,580,439 |
Stockholders’ Equity |  |  |  |  |
Common stock $1.00 par value, 1.0 billion shares authorized; 441.4 million shares issued | 441,369 |  |  | 441,369 |  |  | 441,369 |
Additional paid-in capital | 1,793,036 |  |  | 1,781,540 |  |  | 1,790,832 |
Treasury stock at cost: 97.7 million shares, 99.3 million shares, and 99.0 million shares, respectively | (2,392,422 | ) |  | (2,434,520 | ) |  | (2,426,749 | )
Retained earnings | 2,460,224 |  |  | 3,502,076 |  |  | 3,545,359 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (862,532 | ) |  | (875,087 | ) |  | (943,029 | )
Total stockholders’ equity | 1,439,675 |  |  | 2,415,378 |  |  | 2,407,782 |
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | $ | 6,199,684 |  |  | $ | 6,648,867 |  |  | $ | 6,493,794 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements
4

MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

| For the Three Months Ended |  | For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016
| (Unaudited; in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net Sales | $ | 1,560,983 |  |  | $ | 1,795,575 |  |  | $ | 3,271,078 |  |  | $ | 3,622,250 |
Cost of sales | 913,834 |  |  | 924,810 |  |  | 1,945,386 |  |  | 1,929,247 |
Gross Profit | 647,149 |  |  | 870,765 |  |  | 1,325,692 |  |  | 1,693,003 |
Advertising and promotion expenses | 179,691 |  |  | 202,900 |  |  | 348,752 |  |  | 384,614 |
Other selling and administrative expenses | 381,756 |  |  | 350,469 |  |  | 1,066,943 |  |  | 1,051,799 |
Operating Income (Loss) | 85,702 |  |  | 317,396 |  |  | (90,003 | ) |  | 256,590 |
Interest expense | 24,646 |  |  | 24,989 |  |  | 68,557 |  |  | 70,133 |
Interest (income) | (1,575 | ) |  | (2,477 | ) |  | (6,337 | ) |  | (7,550 | )
Other non-operating expense, net | 1,368 |  |  | 856 |  |  | 5,928 |  |  | 23,210 |
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes | 61,263 |  |  | 294,028 |  |  | (158,151 | ) |  | 170,797 |
Provision for income taxes | 664,510 |  |  | 57,778 |  |  | 614,402 |  |  | 26,620 |
Net (Loss) Income | $ | (603,247 | ) |  | $ | 236,250 |  |  | $ | (772,553 | ) |  | $ | 144,177 |
Net (Loss) Income Per Common Share—Basic | $ | (1.75 | ) |  | $ | 0.69 |  |  | $ | (2.25 | ) |  | $ | 0.42 |
Weighted average number of common shares | 343,870 |  |  | 341,961 |  |  | 343,304 |  |  | 341,089 |
Net (Loss) Income Per Common Share—Diluted | $ | (1.75 | ) |  | $ | 0.68 |  |  | $ | (2.25 | ) |  | $ | 0.42 |
Weighted average number of common and potential common shares | 343,870 |  |  | 344,226 |  |  | 343,304 |  |  | 343,298 |
Dividends Declared Per Common Share | $ | 0.15 |  |  | $ | 0.38 |  |  | $ | 0.91 |  |  | $ | 1.14 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
5

MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

| For the Three Months Ended |  | For the Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016
| (Unaudited; in thousands)
Net (Loss) Income | $ | (603,247 | ) |  | $ | 236,250 |  |  | $ | (772,553 | ) |  | $ | 144,177 |
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Currency translation adjustments | 36,912 |  |  | (14,570 | ) |  | 142,248 |  |  | (18,926 | )
Defined benefit pension plan adjustments | 1,106 |  |  | 2,024 |  |  | 3,185 |  |  | 4,568 |
Net unrealized losses on available-for-sale security | (3,848 | ) |  | — |  |  | (7,585 | ) |  | — |
Net unrealized losses on derivative instruments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized holding (losses) gains | (24,009 | ) |  | 974 |  |  | (63,999 | ) |  | 642 |
Reclassification adjustment for realized losses (gains) included in net (loss) income | 9,241 |  |  | (2,157 | ) |  | 6,648 |  |  | (12,472 | )
| (14,768 | ) |  | (1,183 | ) |  | (57,351 | ) |  | (11,830 | )
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax | 19,402 |  |  | (13,729 | ) |  | 80,497 |  |  | (26,188 | )
Comprehensive (Loss) Income | $ | (583,845 | ) |  | $ | 222,521 |  |  | $ | (692,056 | ) |  | $ | 117,989 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
6

MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

| For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016
| (Unaudited; in thousands)
Cash Flows From Operating Activities: |
Net (loss) income | $ | (772,553 | ) |  | $ | 144,177 |
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash flows used for operating activities: |  |  |
Depreciation | 179,831 |  |  | 177,939 |
Amortization | 16,264 |  |  | 19,577 |
Asset impairments | 14,942 |  |  | — |
Deferred income taxes | 2,057 |  |  | (38,424 | )
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets | 561,915 |  |  | — |
Share-based compensation | 47,582 |  |  | 38,744 |
(Decrease) increase from changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquired assets and liabilities: |  |  |
Accounts receivable | (355,821 | ) |  | (389,550 | )
Inventories | (359,013 | ) |  | (311,141 | )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | (19,027 | ) |  | 25,292 |
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and income taxes payable | 9,893 |  |  | 42,006 |
Other, net | (66,140 | ) |  | (39,966 | )
Net cash flows used for operating activities | (740,070 | ) |  | (331,346 | )
Cash Flows From Investing Activities: |
Purchases of tools, dies, and molds | (101,428 | ) |  | (101,562 | )
Purchases of other property, plant, and equipment | (133,895 | ) |  | (77,586 | )
Payments for acquisition, net of cash acquired | — |  |  | (33,154 | )
Proceeds from foreign currency forward exchange contracts | 60,376 |  |  | 6,228 |
Other, net | 38 |  |  | 1,349 |
Net cash flows used for investing activities | (174,909 | ) |  | (204,725 | )
Cash Flows From Financing Activities: |
Payments of short-term borrowings, net | (878,937 | ) |  | (83,914 | )
Proceeds from short-term borrowings, net | 1,419,418 |  |  | 67,000 |
Proceeds from long-term borrowings, net | — |  |  | 350,000 |
Payments of dividends on common stock | (311,973 | ) |  | (388,518 | )
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 1,768 |  |  | 28,531 |
Other, net | (16,543 | ) |  | (16,341 | )
Net cash flows provided by (used for) financing activities | 213,733 |  |  | (43,242 | )
Effect of Currency Exchange Rate Changes on Cash | 13,023 |  |  | (16,412 | )
Decrease in Cash and Equivalents | (688,223 | ) |  | (595,725 | )
Cash and Equivalents at Beginning of Period | 869,531 |  |  | 892,814 |
Cash and Equivalents at End of Period | $ | 181,308 |  |  | $ | 297,089 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
7

MATTEL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1. | Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and related disclosures have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) applicable to interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of only those of a normal recurring nature, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and interim results of Mattel, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Mattel”) as of and for the periods presented have been included. As Mattel’s business is seasonal, results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of those that may be expected for a full year.
The year-end balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements; however, the accompanying interim notes to the consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures required by GAAP.
The financial information included herein should be read in conjunction with Mattel’s consolidated financial statements and related notes in its 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

2. | Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $22.4 million, $30.9 million, and $21.4 million as of September 30, 2017, September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2016, respectively. As a result of Toys “R” Us filing for bankruptcy in September 2017, Mattel reversed gross sales and accounts receivable of approximately $47 million, and reversed net sales of approximately $43 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017.

3. | Inventories

Inventories include the following:

| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | December 31, 2016
| (In thousands)
Raw materials and work in process | $ | 130,895 |  |  | $ | 137,385 |  |  | $ | 112,327 |
Finished goods | 859,100 |  |  | 773,161 |  |  | 501,471 |
| $ | 989,995 |  |  | $ | 910,546 |  |  | $ | 613,798 |

4. | Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, plant, and equipment, net includes the following:

| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | December 31, 2016
| (In thousands)
Land | $ | 25,045 |  |  | $ | 25,193 |  |  | $ | 25,113 |
Buildings | 293,024 |  |  | 277,974 |  |  | 280,226 |
Machinery and equipment | 933,967 |  |  | 819,501 |  |  | 828,969 |
Software | 374,934 |  |  | 342,974 |  |  | 356,622 |
Tools, dies, and molds | 923,752 |  |  | 876,642 |  |  | 869,385 |
Capital leases | 23,970 |  |  | 23,970 |  |  | 23,970 |
Leasehold improvements | 263,276 |  |  | 255,769 |  |  | 261,254 |
| 2,837,968 |  |  | 2,622,023 |  |  | 2,645,539 |
Less: accumulated depreciation | (2,016,740 | ) |  | (1,874,572 | ) |  | (1,871,574 | )
| $ | 821,228 |  |  | $ | 747,451 |  |  | $ | 773,965 |

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5. | Goodwill

Goodwill is allocated to various reporting units, which are at the operating segment level, for purposes of evaluating whether goodwill is impaired. Mattel’s reporting units are: (i) North America, (ii) International, and (iii) American Girl. Mattel tests its goodwill for impairment annually in the third quarter and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit may exceed its fair value. In the third quarter of 2017, Mattel early adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which removes Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to the excess, limited by the amount of goodwill in that reporting unit.
In the third quarter of 2017, Mattel performed its annual impairment tests and determined that goodwill was not impaired. The change in the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 is shown below. Brand-specific goodwill held by foreign subsidiaries is allocated to the North America and American Girl operating segments selling those brands, thereby causing a foreign currency translation impact for these operating segments.

| December 31, 2016 |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact |  | September 30, 2017
| (In thousands)
North America | $ | 730,139 |  |  | $ | 2,595 |  |  | $ | 732,734 |
International | 445,008 |  |  | 6,813 |  |  | 451,821 |
American Girl | 212,481 |  |  | 606 |  |  | 213,087 |
| $ | 1,387,628 |  |  | $ | 10,014 |  |  | $ | 1,397,642 |

Acquisitions of Sproutling, Inc. and Fuhu assets
In January 2016, Mattel completed its acquisition of Sproutling, Inc. (“Sproutling”), a maker of smart technology products for parents and families, for total consideration of $9.9 million and additional contingent consideration that may become payable under the terms of the agreement based on Sproutling's operating results over the subsequent three years following the closing. Also in January 2016, Mattel acquired substantially all of the assets of Fuhu, Inc. (“Fuhu”), a developer of high technology products for children and families and best known for its nabi® brand of products, for total consideration of $23.3 million. These acquisitions are expected to strengthen Mattel's digital and smart technology capabilities and create opportunities to bring new technology-enabled products to market.
Mattel finalized the valuation of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the fourth quarter of 2016, which resulted in adjustments to the purchase price allocation during the measurement period. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, Mattel recognized $0.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively, of integration and acquisition costs. Integration and acquisition costs are recorded within other selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The pro forma and actual results of operations for these acquisitions have not been presented because they are not material, individually or in the aggregate, to Mattel.

6. | Other Noncurrent Assets

Other noncurrent assets include the following:

| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | December 31, 2016
| (In thousands)
Nonamortizable identifiable intangibles | $ | 462,398 |  |  | $ | 466,384 |  |  | $ | 458,589 |
Identifiable intangibles (net of amortization of $166.7 million, $147.9 million, and $153.7 million, respectively) | 189,382 |  |  | 206,874 |  |  | 201,859 |
Deferred income taxes | 75,660 |  |  | 548,437 |  |  | 508,363 |
Other | 223,215 |  |  | 208,761 |  |  | 223,326 |
| $ | 950,655 |  |  | $ | 1,430,456 |  |  | $ | 1,392,137 |

In connection with the acquisitions of Sproutling and substantially all of the assets of Fuhu in the first quarter of 2016, as more fully described in “Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Goodwill” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Mattel recognized $11.2 million of amortizable identifiable intangible assets, primarily related to patents.
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Mattel tests nonamortizable intangible assets, including trademarks and trade names, for impairment annually in the third quarter and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying values may exceed the fair values. During the third quarter of 2017, Mattel discontinued the use of a trademark which resulted in an asset impairment charge of $9.2 million. The asset impairment charge is recorded within other selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. Mattel performed its annual impairment assessment during the third quarter of 2017 and determined that its remaining nonamortizable intangible asset was not impaired.
Mattel also tests its amortizable intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. Amortizable intangible assets were determined to not be impaired during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.
During the third quarter of 2017, Mattel established a valuation allowance on certain deferred tax assets, the benefits of which Mattel believes will likely not be realized. Refer to “Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Income Taxes” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.

7. | Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities include the following:

| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | December 31, 2016
| (In thousands)
Royalties | $ | 90,968 |  |  | $ | 92,739 |  |  | $ | 107,077 |
Advertising and promotion | 81,185 |  |  | 101,649 |  |  | 85,116 |
Taxes other than income taxes | 61,318 |  |  | 60,031 |  |  | 67,555 |
Other | 335,374 |  |  | 374,695 |  |  | 369,078 |
| $ | 568,845 |  |  | $ | 629,114 |  |  | $ | 628,826 |

8. | Seasonal Financing

Mattel maintains and periodically amends or replaces its domestic unsecured committed revolving credit facility (“Credit Facility”) with a commercial bank group. The Credit Facility is used as a back-up to Mattel’s commercial paper program, which is used as Mattel's primary short-term borrowing facility. The agreement governing the Credit Facility was amended on June 15, 2017 to, among other things, increase the maximum allowed consolidated debt-to-consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“consolidated EBITDA”) ratio that Mattel is required to maintain under the Credit Facility to 3.75 to 1 from 3.50 to 1 for the four consecutive quarters beginning with the second quarter of 2017. Additionally, the Credit Facility was amended on September 20, 2017 to remove the consolidated debt-to-consolidated EBITDA ratio requirement for the third fiscal quarter of 2017 and increase the consolidated debt-to-consolidated EBITDA ratio during a covenant modification period to 4.50 to 1.00 for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2017 and 4.25 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter thereafter. The covenant modification period commenced on September 20, 2017 and continues, at a minimum, through the fourth fiscal quarter of 2017 and thereafter until such time as Mattel (i) requests the termination of the covenant modification period, and (ii) delivers financial statements and a certificate to the lenders demonstrating a consolidated debt-to-consolidated EBITDA ratio of 3.75 to 1.00 or less for the period consisting of the preceding four consecutive fiscal quarters. The amendment further amends the Credit Facility to, among other items, (i) add certain restrictive covenants during the covenant modification period that include greater restrictions against certain receivable financing facilities, as well as restrictions on certain asset dispositions, burdensome agreements, and specified restricted payments, (ii) add a guarantee and lien trigger event that occurs if Mattel’s debt rating falls below certain thresholds, (iii) add covenants that require all U.S. material subsidiaries under the Credit Facility (other than foreign subsidiary holding companies) to become guarantors upon a guarantee and lien trigger event, and (iv) provide that after a guarantee and lien trigger event and before the termination of the covenant modification period, indebtedness under the Credit Facility in an amount not to exceed 10% of Mattel’s consolidated net tangible assets will be secured by pledges from Mattel and the guarantors of 100% of the equity of all U.S. subsidiaries (other than any foreign subsidiary holding company) and 66% of the equity of all first-tier foreign subsidiaries and foreign subsidiary holdings companies. Such guarantees and pledges, as well as the additional restrictive covenants, will be eliminated upon the termination of the covenant modification period.
Although the consolidated debt-to-consolidated EBITDA ratio was removed for the third quarter, Mattel is required to meet financial ratio covenants at the end of each quarter and fiscal year, using the formulae specified in the Credit Facility to calculate the ratios. Mattel was in compliance with its interest coverage ratio covenant at September 30, 2017.
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The aggregate commitments under the Credit Facility remain at $1.60 billion, with an “accordion feature,” which allows Mattel to increase the aggregate availability under the Credit Facility to $1.85 billion under certain circumstances. In addition, applicable interest rate margins remain within a range of 0.00% to 0.75% above the applicable base rate for base rate loans and 0.88% to 1.75% above the applicable LIBOR for Eurodollar rate loans, and the commitment fees range from 0.08% to 0.25% of the unused commitments under the Credit Facility, in each case depending on Mattel’s senior unsecured long-term debt rating.
Both the borrowing costs incurred as a result of the amendment and the portion of unamortized debt issuance costs from the prior facility renewal related to creditors involved in both the prior facility and amended facility were deferred, and such costs will be amortized over the term of the amended Credit Facility.
The agreement governing the Credit Facility is a material agreement, and failure to comply with the financial ratio covenants may result in an event of default under the terms of the Credit Facility. If Mattel were to default under the terms of the Credit Facility, its ability to meet its seasonal financing requirements could be adversely affected. Furthermore, Mattel’s long-term debt agreements contain cross-default provisions which would result in an event of default if Mattel, among other items, fails to comply with the financial ratio covenants under the terms of the Credit Facility with outstanding borrowings in excess of $25 million. The Credit Facility is used as a back-up to Mattel’s commercial paper program.

9. | Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt includes the following:

| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | December 31, 2016
| (In thousands)
2010 Senior Notes due October 2020 and October 2040 | $ | 500,000 |  |  | $ | 500,000 |  |  | $ | 500,000 |
2011 Senior Notes due November 2016 and November 2041 | 300,000 |  |  | 600,000 |  |  | 300,000 |
2013 Senior Notes due March 2018 and March 2023 | 500,000 |  |  | 500,000 |  |  | 500,000 |
2014 Senior Notes due May 2019 | 500,000 |  |  | 500,000 |  |  | 500,000 |
2016 Senior Notes due August 2021 | 350,000 |  |  | 350,000 |  |  | 350,000 |
Debt issuance costs | (13,596 | ) |  | (16,511 | ) |  | (15,729 | )
| 2,136,404 |  |  | 2,433,489 |  |  | 2,134,271 |
Less: current portion | (250,000 | ) |  | (300,000 | ) |  | — |
Total long-term debt | $ | 1,886,404 |  |  | $ | 2,133,489 |  |  | $ | 2,134,271 |

In August 2016, Mattel issued $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.35% senior unsecured notes due August 15, 2021 (“2016 Senior Notes”). Interest on the 2016 Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning February 15, 2017. Mattel may redeem all or part of the 2016 Senior Notes at any time or from time to time prior to July 15, 2021 (one month prior to the maturity date of the 2016 Senior Notes) (the “Par Call Date”), at its option, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the 2016 Senior Notes being redeemed or (ii) a “make-whole” amount based on the yield of a comparable U.S. Treasury security plus 20 basis points, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the 2016 Senior Notes being redeemed to, but excluding, the redemption date. Mattel may redeem all or part of the 2016 Senior Notes at any time or from time to time on or after the Par Call Date, at its option, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2016 Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the 2016 Senior Notes being redeemed to, but excluding, the redemption date.

10. | Other Noncurrent Liabilities

Other noncurrent liabilities include the following:

| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | December 31, 2016
| (In thousands)
Noncurrent tax liabilities | $ | 218,308 |  |  | $ | 96,447 |  |  | $ | 96,871 |
Benefit plan liabilities | 196,967 |  |  | 179,979 |  |  | 192,466 |
Other | 161,052 |  |  | 178,008 |  |  | 156,831 |
| $ | 576,327 |  |  | $ | 454,434 |  |  | $ | 446,168 |

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11. | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following tables present changes in the accumulated balances for each component of other comprehensive income (loss), including current period other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

| For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017
| Derivative Instruments |  | Available-for-Sale Security |  | Defined Benefit Pension Plans |  | Currency Translation Adjustments |  | Total
| (In thousands)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, as of June 30, 2017 | $ | (25,114 | ) |  | $ | (588 | ) |  | $ | (155,625 | ) |  | $ | (700,607 | ) |  | $ | (881,934 | )
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications | (24,009 | ) |  | (3,848 | ) |  | (103 | ) |  | 36,912 |  |  | 8,952 |
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 9,241 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,209 |  |  | — |  |  | 10,450 |
Net (decrease) increase in other comprehensive income (loss) | (14,768 | ) |  | (3,848 | ) |  | 1,106 |  |  | 36,912 |  |  | 19,402 |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, as of September 30, 2017 | $ | (39,882 | ) |  | $ | (4,436 | ) |  | $ | (154,519 | ) |  | $ | (663,695 | ) |  | $ | (862,532 | )

| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
| Derivative Instruments |  | Available-for-Sale Security |  | Defined Benefit Pension Plans |  | Currency Translation Adjustments |  | Total
| (In thousands)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, as of December 31, 2016 | $ | 17,469 |  |  | $ | 3,149 |  |  | $ | (157,704 | ) |  | $ | (805,943 | ) |  | $ | (943,029 | )
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications | (63,999 | ) |  | (7,585 | ) |  | (303 | ) |  | 142,248 |  |  | 70,361 |
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 6,648 |  |  | — |  |  | 3,488 |  |  | — |  |  | 10,136 |
Net (decrease) increase in other comprehensive income (loss) | (57,351 | ) |  | (7,585 | ) |  | 3,185 |  |  | 142,248 |  |  | 80,497 |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, as of September 30, 2017 | $ | (39,882 | ) |  | $ | (4,436 | ) |  | $ | (154,519 | ) |  | $ | (663,695 | ) |  | $ | (862,532 | )

| For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
| Derivative Instruments |  | Available-for-Sale Security |  | Defined Benefit Pension Plans |  | Currency Translation Adjustments |  | Total
| (In thousands)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, as of June 30, 2016 | $ | 4,716 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (157,314 | ) |  | $ | (708,760 | ) |  | $ | (861,358 | )
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | 974 |  |  | — |  |  | (74 | ) |  | (14,570 | ) |  | (13,670 | )
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (2,157 | ) |  | — |  |  | 2,098 |  |  | — |  |  | (59 | )
Net (decrease) increase in other comprehensive income (loss) | (1,183 | ) |  | — |  |  | 2,024 |  |  | (14,570 | ) |  | (13,729 | )
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, as of September 30, 2016 | $ | 3,533 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (155,290 | ) |  | $ | (723,330 | ) |  | $ | (875,087 | )

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| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
| Derivative Instruments |  | Available-for-Sale Security |  | Defined Benefit Pension Plans |  | Currency Translation Adjustments |  | Total
| (In thousands)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, as of December 31, 2015 | $ | 15,363 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (159,858 | ) |  | $ | (704,404 | ) |  | $ | (848,899 | )
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | 642 |  |  | — |  |  | (208 | ) |  | (18,926 | ) |  | (18,492 | )
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (12,472 | ) |  | — |  |  | 4,776 |  |  | — |  |  | (7,696 | )
Net (decrease) increase in other comprehensive income (loss) | (11,830 | ) |  | — |  |  | 4,568 |  |  | (18,926 | ) |  | (26,188 | )
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, as of September 30, 2016 | $ | 3,533 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (155,290 | ) |  | $ | (723,330 | ) |  | $ | (875,087 | )

The following tables present the classification and amount of the reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to the consolidated statements of operations:

| For the Three Months Ended |  |
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | Statements of Operations Classification
| (In thousands) |  |
Derivative Instruments |
(Loss) gain on foreign currency forward exchange contracts | $ | (9,124 | ) |  | $ | 2,383 |  |  | Cost of sales
| (117 | ) |  | (226 | ) |  | Provision for income taxes
| $ | (9,241 | ) |  | $ | 2,157 |  |  | Net (loss) income
Defined Benefit Pension Plans |  |  |  |  |
Amortization of prior service cost | $ | (8 | ) |  | $ | (8 | ) |  | (a)
Recognized actuarial loss | (1,860 | ) |  | (1,769 | ) |  | (a)
Settlement loss | — |  |  | (1,495 | ) |  | Other selling and administrative expenses
| (1,868 | ) |  | (3,272 | ) |  |
| 659 |  |  | 1,174 |  |  | Provision for income taxes
| $ | (1,209 | ) |  | $ | (2,098 | ) |  | Net (loss) income

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| For the Nine Months Ended |  |
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | Statements of Operations Classification
| (In thousands) |  |
Derivative Instruments |
(Loss) gain on foreign currency forward exchange contracts | $ | (6,658 | ) |  | $ | 13,260 |  |  | Cost of sales
| 10 |  |  | (788 | ) |  | Provision for income taxes
| $ | (6,648 | ) |  | $ | 12,472 |  |  | Net (loss) income
Defined Benefit Pension Plans |  |  |  |  |
Amortization of prior service cost | $ | (23 | ) |  | $ | (23 | ) |  | (a)
Recognized actuarial loss | (5,576 | ) |  | (5,305 | ) |  | (a)
Settlement loss | — |  |  | (1,495 | ) |  | Other selling and administrative expenses
| (5,599 | ) |  | (6,823 | ) |  |
| 2,111 |  |  | 2,047 |  |  | Provision for income taxes
| $ | (3,488 | ) |  | $ | (4,776 | ) |  | Net (loss) income

____________________________________________

(a) | The amortization of prior service cost and recognized actuarial loss are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. Refer to “Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Employee Benefit Plans” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information regarding Mattel’s net periodic benefit cost.

Currency Translation Adjustments
Mattel’s reporting currency is the US dollar. The translation of its net investments in subsidiaries with non-US dollar functional currencies subjects Mattel to the impact of currency exchange rate fluctuations in its results of operations and financial position. Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries with non-US dollar functional currencies are translated into US dollars at fiscal period-end exchange rates. Income, expense, and cash flow items are translated at weighted average exchange rates prevailing during the fiscal period. The resulting currency translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity. Currency translation adjustments resulted in a net gain of $142.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to the strengthening of the Euro, British pound sterling, and Mexican peso against the US dollar. Currency translation adjustments resulted in a net loss of $18.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, primarily due to the weakening of the British pound sterling and the Mexican peso against the US dollar, partially offset by the strengthening of the Euro and the Brazilian real.

12. | Derivative Instruments

Mattel seeks to mitigate its exposure to foreign currency transaction risk by monitoring its foreign currency transaction exposure for the year and partially hedging such exposure using foreign currency forward exchange contracts. Mattel uses foreign currency forward exchange contracts as cash flow hedges primarily to hedge its purchases and sales of inventory denominated in foreign currencies. These contracts generally have maturity dates of up to 18 months. These derivative instruments have been designated as effective cash flow hedges, whereby the unsettled hedges are reported in Mattel’s consolidated balance sheets at fair value, with changes in the fair value of the hedges reflected in other comprehensive (loss) income (“OCI”). Realized gains and losses for these contracts are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the inventory is sold to customers. Additionally, Mattel uses foreign currency forward exchange contracts to hedge intercompany loans and advances denominated in foreign currencies. Due to the short-term nature of the contracts involved, Mattel has not designated these contracts as hedging instruments, and as such, changes in fair value are recorded in the period of change in the consolidated statements of operations.
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As of September 30, 2017, September 30, 2016, and December 31, 2016, Mattel held foreign currency forward exchange contracts with notional amounts of $2.46 billion, $1.15 billion, and $1.20 billion, respectively. The notional amounts of the foreign currency forward exchange contracts outstanding as of September 30, 2017 include foreign currency forward contracts executed on September 29, 2017 to settle contracts used to hedge intercompany loans and advances that matured on October 2, 2017. The notional amounts also include additional foreign currency forward contracts executed on September 29, 2017 to replace the contracts used to hedge the intercompany loans and advances that matured and settled on October 2, 2017. The increase to the notional amounts outstanding as of September 30, 2017 was primarily due to the timing of the scheduled settlements of Mattel’s intercompany loans and advances denominated in foreign currencies. As of September 30, 2016, Mattel also held cross currency swap contracts with notional amounts of $16.9 million.
The following tables present Mattel’s derivative assets and liabilities:

| Derivative Assets
| Balance Sheet Classification |  | Fair Value
|  |  | September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | December 31, 2016
|  |  | (In thousands)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Prepaid expenses and other current assets |  | $ | 1,951 |  |  | $ | 7,127 |  |  | $ | 18,747 |
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Other noncurrent assets |  | 764 |  |  | 1,122 |  |  | 5,782 |
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments |  |  | $ | 2,715 |  |  | $ | 8,249 |  |  | $ | 24,529 |
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Prepaid expenses and other current assets |  | $ | 1,369 |  |  | $ | 826 |  |  | $ | 2,678 |
Total |  |  | $ | 4,084 |  |  | $ | 9,075 |  |  | $ | 27,207 |
| Derivative Liabilities
| Balance Sheet Classification |  | Fair Value
|  |  | September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | December 31, 2016
|  |  | (In thousands)
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Accrued liabilities |  | $ | 21,624 |  |  | $ | 5,131 |  |  | $ | 1,917 |
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Other noncurrent liabilities |  | 7,206 |  |  | 1,382 |  |  | 223 |
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments |  |  | $ | 28,830 |  |  | $ | 6,513 |  |  | $ | 2,140 |
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Accrued liabilities |  | $ | 1,047 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 7,072 |
Cross currency swap contract | Accrued liabilities |  | — |  |  | 1,532 |  |  | — |
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments |  |  | $ | 1,047 |  |  | $ | 1,532 |  |  | $ | 7,072 |
Total |  |  | $ | 29,877 |  |  | $ | 8,045 |  |  | $ | 9,212 |

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The following tables present the classification and amount of gains and losses, net of tax, from derivatives reported in the consolidated statements of operations:

| For the Three Months Ended |  |
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | Statements of Operations Classification
| Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI |  | Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI to Statements of Operations |  | Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI |  | Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI to Statements of Operations |
| (In thousands) |  |
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | $ | (24,009 | ) |  | $ | (9,241 | ) |  | $ | 974 |  |  | $ | 2,157 |  |  | Cost of sales
| For the Nine Months Ended |  |
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | Statements of Operations Classification
| Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI |  | Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI to Statements of Operations |  | Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI |  | Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI to Statements of Operations |
| (In thousands) |  |
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | $ | (63,999 | ) |  | $ | (6,648 | ) |  | $ | 642 |  |  | $ | 12,472 |  |  | Cost of sales

The net losses of $9.2 million and $6.6 million reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and the net gains of $2.2 million and $12.5 million reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, are offset by the changes in cash flows associated with the underlying hedged transactions.

| Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in the Statements of Operations |  | Statements of Operations Classification
| For the Three Months Ended |
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |
| (In thousands) |  |
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments |
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | $ | 13,624 |  |  | $ | 306 |  |  | Other non-operating income/expense
Cross currency swap contract | — |  |  | (274 | ) |  | Other non-operating income/expense
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | 9 |  |  | 619 |  |  | Cost of sales
Total | $ | 13,633 |  |  | $ | 651 |  |  |

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| Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in the Statements of Operations |  | Statements of Operations Classification
| For the Nine Months Ended |
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |
| (In thousands) |  |
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments |
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | $ | 64,582 |  |  | $ | 5,909 |  |  | Other non-operating income/expense
Cross currency swap contract | — |  |  | (1,532 | ) |  | Other non-operating income/expense
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | 511 |  |  | 2,217 |  |  | Cost of sales
Total | $ | 65,093 |  |  | $ | 6,594 |  |  |

The net gains of $13.6 million and $65.1 million recognized in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and the net gains of $0.7 million and $6.6 million recognized in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, are offset by foreign currency transaction gains and losses on the related hedged balances.

13. | Fair Value Measurements

The following tables present information about Mattel’s assets and liabilities measured and reported in the financial statements at fair value and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

• | Level 1 – Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity has the ability to access.

• | Level 2 – Valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

• | Level 3 – Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable, supported by little or no market activity, and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

Mattel’s financial assets and liabilities measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis include the following:

| September 30, 2017
| Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |  | Total
| (In thousands)
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts (a) | $ | — |  |  | $ | 4,084 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 4,084 |
Available-for-sale security (b) | 7,354 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 7,354 |
Total assets | $ | 7,354 |  |  | $ | 4,084 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 11,438 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts (a) | $ | — |  |  | $ | 29,877 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 29,877 |

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| September 30, 2016
| Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |  | Total
| (In thousands)
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts (a) | $ | — |  |  | $ | 9,075 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 9,075 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts (a) | $ | — |  |  | $ | 6,513 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 6,513 |
Cross currency swap contract (a) | — |  |  | 1,532 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,532 |
Total liabilities | $ | — |  |  | $ | 8,045 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 8,045 |
| December 31, 2016
| Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3 |  | Total
| (In thousands)
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts (a) | $ | — |  |  | $ | 27,207 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 27,207 |
Available-for-sale security (b) | 14,939 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 14,939 |
Total assets | $ | 14,939 |  |  | $ | 27,207 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 42,146 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts (a) | $ | — |  |  | $ | 9,212 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 9,212 |

____________________________________________

(a) | The fair value of the foreign currency forward exchange contracts and cross currency swap contracts are based on dealer quotes of market forward rates and reflect the amount that Mattel would receive or pay at their maturity dates for contracts involving the same notional amounts, currencies, and maturity dates.

(b) | The fair value of the available-for-sale security is based on the quoted price on an active public exchange.

Other Financial Instruments
Mattel’s financial instruments include cash and equivalents, accounts receivable and payable, short-term borrowings, and accrued liabilities. The fair values of these instruments approximate their carrying values because of their short-term nature. Cash is classified as Level 1 and all other financial instruments are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
The estimated fair value of Mattel’s long-term debt, including the current portion, was $2.17 billion (compared to a carrying value of $2.15 billion) as of September 30, 2017, $2.57 billion (compared to a carrying value of $2.45 billion) as of September 30, 2016, and $2.18 billion (compared to a carrying value of $2.15 billion) as of December 31, 2016. The estimated fair values have been calculated based on broker quotes or rates for the same or similar instruments and are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.

14. | Earnings Per Share

Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. Certain of Mattel’s restricted stock units (“RSUs”) are considered participating securities because they contain nonforfeitable rights to dividend equivalents.
Under the two-class method, net income is reduced by the amount of dividends declared in the period for each class of common stock and participating securities. The remaining undistributed earnings are then allocated to common stock and participating securities as if all of the net income for the period had been distributed. Basic earnings per common share excludes dilution and is calculated by dividing net income allocable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income allocable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares for the period, as adjusted for the potential dilutive effect of non-participating share-based awards.
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The following table reconciles earnings per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016:

| For the Three Months Ended |  | For the Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016
| (In thousands, except per share amounts)
Basic: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net (loss) income | $ | (603,247 | ) |  | $ | 236,250 |  |  | $ | (772,553 | ) |  | $ | 144,177 |
Less: net income allocable to participating RSUs (a) | — |  |  | (610 | ) |  | — |  |  | (1,628 | )
Net (loss) income available for basic common shares | $ | (603,247 | ) |  | $ | 235,640 |  |  | $ | (772,553 | ) |  | $ | 142,549 |
Weighted average common shares outstanding | 343,870 |  |  | 341,961 |  |  | 343,304 |  |  | 341,089 |
Basic net (loss) income per common share | $ | (1.75 | ) |  | $ | 0.69 |  |  | $ | (2.25 | ) |  | $ | 0.42 |
Diluted: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net (loss) income | $ | (603,247 | ) |  | $ | 236,250 |  |  | $ | (772,553 | ) |  | $ | 144,177 |
Less: net income allocable to participating RSUs (a) | — |  |  | (609 | ) |  | — |  |  | (1,628 | )
Net (loss) income available for diluted common shares | $ | (603,247 | ) |  | $ | 235,641 |  |  | $ | (772,553 | ) |  | $ | 142,549 |
Weighted average common shares outstanding | 343,870 |  |  | 341,961 |  |  | 343,304 |  |  | 341,089 |
Weighted average common equivalent shares arising from: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Dilutive stock options and non-participating RSUs | — |  |  | 2,265 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,209 |
Weighted average number of common and potential common shares | 343,870 |  |  | 344,226 |  |  | 343,304 |  |  | 343,298 |
Diluted net (loss) income per common share | $ | (1.75 | ) |  | $ | 0.68 |  |  | $ | (2.25 | ) |  | $ | 0.42 |

_______________________________________

(a) | During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, Mattel did not allocate its net loss to its participating RSUs as its participating RSUs are not obligated to share in Mattel's losses. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, Mattel allocated a proportionate share of both dividends and undistributed earnings to participating RSUs.

The calculation of potential common shares assumes the exercise of dilutive stock options and vesting of non-participating RSUs, net of assumed treasury share repurchases at average market prices. Mattel was in a net loss position during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and, accordingly, all outstanding nonqualified stock options and non-participating RSUs were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share because their effect would be antidilutive. Nonqualified stock options and non-participating RSUs totaling 9.8 million and 7.7 million shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, because they were antidilutive.

15. | Employee Benefit Plans

Mattel and certain of its subsidiaries have qualified and nonqualified retirement plans covering substantially all employees of these companies, which are more fully described in Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements–Employee Benefit Plans” in its 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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A summary of the components of net periodic benefit cost for Mattel’s defined benefit pension plans is as follows:

| For the Three Months Ended |  | For the Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016
| (In thousands)
Service cost | $ | 1,198 |  |  | $ | 1,609 |  |  | $ | 3,441 |  |  | $ | 4,293 |
Interest cost | 4,479 |  |  | 6,107 |  |  | 13,370 |  |  | 18,407 |
Expected return on plan assets | (5,768 | ) |  | (6,393 | ) |  | (17,253 | ) |  | (19,309 | )
Amortization of prior service cost | 8 |  |  | 8 |  |  | 23 |  |  | 23 |
Recognized actuarial loss | 1,823 |  |  | 1,732 |  |  | 5,464 |  |  | 5,194 |
Settlement loss | — |  |  | 1,495 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,495 |
| $ | 1,740 |  |  | $ | 4,558 |  |  | $ | 5,045 |  |  | $ | 10,103 |
A summary of the components of net periodic benefit cost for Mattel’s postretirement benefit plans is as follows:
| For the Three Months Ended |  | For the Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016
| (In thousands)
Service cost | $ | — |  |  | $ | 13 |  |  | $ | 1 |  |  | $ | 39 |
Interest cost | 203 |  |  | 286 |  |  | 609 |  |  | 857 |
Recognized actuarial loss | 37 |  |  | 37 |  |  | 112 |  |  | 111 |
| $ | 240 |  |  | $ | 336 |  |  | $ | 722 |  |  | $ | 1,007 |

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, Mattel made cash contributions totaling approximately $3 million and $1 million related to its defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans, respectively. During the remainder of 2017, Mattel expects to make additional cash contributions of approximately $6 million.

16. | Share-Based Payments

Mattel has various stock compensation plans, which are more fully described in Part II, Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements–Share-Based Payments” in its 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Under the Mattel, Inc. Amended and Restated 2010 Equity and Long-Term Compensation Plan, Mattel has the ability to grant nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, RSUs, performance awards, dividend equivalent rights, and shares of common stock to officers, employees, and other persons providing services to Mattel. Stock options are granted with exercise prices at the fair market value of Mattel’s common stock on the applicable grant date and expire no later than ten years from the date of grant. Both stock options and time-vesting RSUs generally provide for vesting over a period of three years from the date of grant.
In March 2017, the Compensation Committee approved a new long-term incentive program (“LTIP”) for the performance cycle of January 1, 2017–December 31, 2019. As of September 30, 2017, Mattel has two long-term incentive programs in place: (i) a January 1, 2016–December 31, 2018 performance cycle, and (ii) a January 1, 2017–December 31, 2019 performance cycle.
For the January 1, 2017–December 31, 2019 LTIP performance cycle, Mattel granted performance-based restricted stock units (“Performance RSUs”) under the Mattel, Inc. Amended and Restated 2010 Equity and Long-Term Compensation Plan to senior executives. Performance RSUs granted under this program will be earned based on the product of the initial target number of Performance RSUs multiplied by a performance factor based on a three-year average of annual achievements of Mattel's performance with respect to annual EPS targets for the performance cycle (the “2017–2019 performance-related component”) and then adjusted upward or downward based on Mattel's total shareholder return (“TSR”) for the three-year performance cycle relative to the TSR realized by companies comprising the S&P 500 (the “2017–2019 market-related component”). The Performance RSUs under the 2017–2019 LTIP performance cycle have dividend equivalent rights that are converted to shares of Mattel common stock only when and to the extent the underlying Performance RSUs are earned and paid.
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During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, Mattel recognized no expense related to the 2017–2019 performance-related component, and recognized $0.1 million of expense related to the 2017–2019 market-related component. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, Mattel recognized no expense related to the 2016–2018 performance-related component, and recognized $0.1 million and $0.3 million of expense, respectively, related to the 2016–2018 market-related component. These amounts are included within RSU compensation expense in the table below.
Compensation expense, included within other selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations, related to stock options and RSUs is as follows:

| For the Three Months Ended |  | For the Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016
| (In thousands)
Stock option compensation expense | $ | 3,446 |  |  | $ | 2,528 |  |  | $ | 9,262 |  |  | $ | 6,826 |
RSU compensation expense | 13,583 |  |  | 9,840 |  |  | 38,320 |  |  | 31,918 |
| $ | 17,029 |  |  | $ | 12,368 |  |  | $ | 47,582 |  |  | $ | 38,744 |

As of September 30, 2017, total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based payments totaled $127.9 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years.
Mattel uses treasury shares purchased under its share repurchase program to satisfy stock option exercises and the vesting of RSUs. Cash received for stock option exercises for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $1.8 million and $28.5 million, respectively.

17. | Other Selling and Administrative Expenses

Other selling and administrative expenses include the following:

| For the Three Months Ended |  | For the Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016
| (In thousands)
Design and development | $ | 58,288 |  |  | $ | 54,680 |  |  | $ | 166,784 |  |  | $ | 160,264 |
Identifiable intangible asset amortization | 4,444 |  |  | 5,524 |  |  | 13,045 |  |  | 16,354 |

18. | Foreign Currency Transaction Gains and Losses

Currency exchange rate fluctuations impact Mattel’s results of operations and cash flows. Mattel’s currency transaction exposures include gains and losses realized on unhedged inventory purchases and unhedged receivables and payables balances that are denominated in a currency other than the applicable functional currency. Gains and losses on unhedged inventory purchases and other transactions associated with operating activities are recorded in the components of operating income to which they relate in the consolidated statements of operations. For hedges of intercompany loans and advances, which do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, the gains or losses on the hedges resulting from changes in fair value as well as the offsetting transaction gains or losses on the related hedged items, along with unhedged items, are recognized in other non-operating expense/income, net in the consolidated statements of operations. Inventory purchase and sale transactions denominated in the Euro, Mexican peso, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Brazilian real, and Russian ruble are the primary transactions that cause foreign currency transaction exposure for Mattel.
Currency transaction gains (losses) included in the consolidated statements of operations are as follows:

| For the Three Months Ended |  | For the Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016
| (In thousands)
Operating income (loss) | $ | 2,857 |  |  | $ | (48,076 | ) |  | $ | (32,137 | ) |  | $ | (85,081 | )
Other non-operating expense, net | (1,244 | ) |  | (1,269 | ) |  | (7,368 | ) |  | (29,388 | )
Net transaction gains (losses) | $ | 1,613 |  |  | $ | (49,345 | ) |  | $ | (39,505 | ) |  | $ | (114,469 | )

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In March 2016, the Venezuelan government revised its currency exchange platform to a dual system. The Sistema Complementario de Administración de Divisas (“SICAD”) rate merged with the official exchange rate, becoming the new Tipo de Cambio Protegido (“DIPRO”) exchange rate. The existing Marginal Currency System (“SIMADI”) rate was renamed the Tipo de Cambio Complementario (“DICOM”) exchange rate. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, Mattel changed its remeasurement rate from the official exchange rate to the new DICOM exchange rate and recognized an unrealized foreign currency exchange loss of approximately $26 million in other non-operating expense/income, net as a result of the change in the remeasurement rate.

19. | Income Taxes

Mattel’s provision for income taxes was $614.4 million and $26.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Mattel recognized net discrete tax expense of $561.5 million and $558.8 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and net discrete tax benefits of $9.0 million and $12.8 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, primarily related to the establishment of a valuation allowance and reassessments of prior years’ tax liabilities based on the status of audits and tax filings in various jurisdictions around the world.
Mattel regularly assesses the need for a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. In making that assessment, Mattel considers both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood of realization of the deferred tax assets to determine, based on the weight of available evidence, whether it is more-likely-than-not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, Mattel considered its recent operating results which resulted in a cumulative net operating loss in the U.S. for the 36-month period ending September 30, 2017. The 36-month cumulative U.S. loss from operations is considered strong negative evidence and outweighs other positive subjective evidence, such as projections of future income. As a result, in the third quarter Mattel established a valuation allowance on its U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets. This results in a discrete charge to the quarter of $561.9 million for the balance of these net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2016. Further, Mattel has provided zero tax benefit in the year-to-date tax expense for items such as the year-to-date U.S. operating loss and other effects occurring in the current year. The valuation allowance does not impact Mattel's actual ability under applicable tax laws to utilize deferred tax assets such as loss carryforwards and tax credits to reduce future cash tax payments if and when sufficient income is earned prior to the expiration of the deferred tax assets. Mattel will continue to assess the likelihood that the deferred tax assets will be realizable at each period end.
In the normal course of business, Mattel is regularly audited by federal, state, and foreign tax authorities. Based on the current status of federal, state, and foreign audits, Mattel believes it is reasonably possible that in the next twelve months, the total unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by approximately $27 million related to the settlement of tax audits and/or the expiration of statutes of limitations. The ultimate settlement of any issue with the applicable taxing authority could have a material impact on Mattel’s consolidated financial statements.

20. | Contingencies

Litigation Related to Carter Bryant and MGA Entertainment, Inc.
In April 2004, Mattel filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Carter Bryant (“Bryant”), a former Mattel design employee. The suit alleges that Bryant aided and assisted a Mattel competitor, MGA Entertainment, Inc. (“MGA”), during the time he was employed by Mattel, in violation of his contractual and other duties to Mattel. In September 2004, Bryant asserted counterclaims against Mattel, including counterclaims in which Bryant sought, as a putative class action representative, to invalidate Mattel’s Confidential Information and Proprietary Inventions Agreements with its employees. Bryant also removed Mattel’s suit to the United States District Court for the Central District of California. In December 2004, MGA intervened as a party-defendant in Mattel’s action against Bryant, asserting that its rights to Bratz properties are at stake in the litigation.
Separately, in November 2004, Bryant filed an action against Mattel in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. The action sought a judicial declaration that Bryant’s purported conveyance of rights in Bratz was proper and that he did not misappropriate Mattel property in creating Bratz.
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In April 2005, MGA filed suit against Mattel in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. MGA’s action alleges claims of trade dress infringement, trade dress dilution, false designation of origin, unfair competition, and unjust enrichment. The suit alleges, among other things, that certain products, themes, packaging, and/or television commercials in various Mattel product lines have infringed upon products, themes, packaging, and/or television commercials for various MGA product lines, including Bratz. The complaint also asserts that various alleged Mattel acts with respect to unidentified retailers, distributors, and licensees have damaged MGA and that various alleged acts by industry organizations, purportedly induced by Mattel, have damaged MGA. MGA’s suit alleges that MGA has been damaged in an amount “believed to reach or exceed tens of millions of dollars” and further seeks punitive damages, disgorgement of Mattel’s profits and injunctive relief.
In June 2006, the three cases were consolidated in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. On July 17, 2006, the Court issued an order dismissing all claims that Bryant had asserted against Mattel, including Bryant’s purported counterclaims to invalidate Mattel’s Confidential Information and Proprietary Inventions Agreements with its employees, and Bryant’s claims for declaratory relief.
On January 12, 2007, Mattel filed an Amended Complaint setting forth counterclaims that included additional claims against Bryant as well as claims for copyright infringement, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (“RICO”) violations, misappropriation of trade secrets, intentional interference with contract, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty and breach of duty of loyalty, and unfair competition, among others, against MGA, its Chief Executive Officer Isaac Larian, certain MGA affiliates and an MGA employee. The RICO claim alleged that MGA stole Bratz and then, by recruiting and hiring key Mattel employees and directing them to bring with them Mattel confidential and proprietary information, unfairly competed against Mattel using Mattel’s trade secrets, confidential information, and key employees to build their business.
Mattel sought to try all of its claims in a single trial, but in February 2007, the Court decided that the consolidated cases would be tried in two phases, with the first trial to determine claims and defenses related to Mattel’s ownership of Bratz works and whether MGA infringed those works. On May 19, 2008, Bryant reached a settlement agreement with Mattel and is no longer a defendant in the litigation. In the public stipulation entered by Mattel and Bryant in connection with the resolution, Bryant agreed that he was and would continue to be bound by all prior and future Court Orders relating to Bratz ownership and infringement, including the Court’s summary judgment rulings.
The first phase of the first trial resulted in a unanimous jury verdict on July 17, 2008 in favor of Mattel. The jury found that almost all of the Bratz design drawings and other works in question were created by Bryant while he was employed at Mattel; that MGA and Isaac Larian intentionally interfered with the contractual duties owed by Bryant to Mattel, aided and abetted Bryant’s breaches of his duty of loyalty to Mattel, aided and abetted Bryant’s breaches of the fiduciary duties he owed to Mattel, and converted Mattel property for their own use. The same jury determined that defendants MGA, Larian, and MGA Entertainment (HK) Limited infringed Mattel’s copyrights in the Bratz design drawings and other Bratz works, and awarded Mattel total damages of approximately $100 million against the defendants. On December 3, 2008, the Court issued a series of orders rejecting MGA’s equitable defenses and granting Mattel’s motions for equitable relief, including an order enjoining the MGA party defendants from manufacturing, marketing, or selling certain Bratz fashion dolls or from using the “Bratz” name. The Court stayed its December 3, 2008 injunctive orders until further order of the Court.
The parties filed and argued additional motions for post-trial relief, including a request by MGA to enter judgment as a matter of law on Mattel’s claims in MGA’s favor and to reduce the jury’s damages award to Mattel. Mattel additionally moved for the appointment of a receiver. On April 27, 2009, the Court entered an order confirming that Bratz works found by the jury to have been created by Bryant during his Mattel employment were Mattel’s property and that hundreds of Bratz female fashion dolls infringe Mattel’s copyrights. The Court also upheld the jury’s award of damages in the amount of $100 million and ordered an accounting of post-trial Bratz sales. The Court further vacated the stay of the December 3, 2008 orders.
MGA appealed the Court’s equitable orders to the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. On December 9, 2009, the Ninth Circuit heard oral argument on MGA’s appeal and issued an order staying the District Court’s equitable orders pending a further order to be issued by the Ninth Circuit. On July 22, 2010, the Ninth Circuit vacated the District Court’s equitable orders. The Ninth Circuit stated that, because of several jury instruction errors it identified, a significant portion-if not all-of the jury verdict and damage award should be vacated.
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In its opinion, the Ninth Circuit found that the District Court erred in concluding that Mattel’s Invention Agreement unambiguously applied to “ideas;” that it should have considered extrinsic evidence in determining the application of the agreement; and if the conclusion turns on conflicting evidence, it should have been up to the jury to decide. The Ninth Circuit also concluded that the District Judge erred in transferring the entire brand to Mattel based on misappropriated names and that the Court should have submitted to the jury, rather than deciding itself, whether Bryant’s agreement assigned works created outside the scope of his employment and whether Bryant’s creation of the Bratz designs and sculpt was outside of his employment. The Court then went on to address copyright issues which would be raised after a retrial, since Mattel “might well convince a properly instructed jury” that it owns Bryant’s designs and sculpt. The Ninth Circuit stated that the sculpt itself was entitled only to “thin” copyright protection against virtually identical works, while the Bratz sketches were entitled to “broad” protection against substantially similar works; in applying the broad protection, however, the Ninth Circuit found that the lower court had erred in failing to filter out all of the unprotectable elements of Bryant’s sketches. This mistake, the Court said, caused the lower court to conclude that all Bratz dolls were substantially similar to Bryant’s original sketches.
Judge Stephen Larson, who presided over the first trial, retired from the bench during the course of the appeal, and the case was transferred to Judge David O. Carter. After the transfer, Judge Carter granted Mattel leave to file a Fourth Amended Answer and Counterclaims which focused on RICO, trade secret and other claims, and added additional parties, and subsequently granted in part and denied in part a defense motion to dismiss those counterclaims.
Later, on August 16, 2010, MGA asserted several new claims against Mattel in response to Mattel’s Fourth Amended Answer and Counterclaims, including claims for alleged trade secret misappropriation, an alleged violation of RICO, and wrongful injunction. MGA alleged, in summary, that, for more than a decade dating back to 1992, Mattel employees engaged in a pattern of stealing alleged trade secret information from competitors “toy fair” showrooms, and then sought to conceal that alleged misconduct. Mattel moved to strike and/or dismiss these claims, as well as certain MGA allegations regarding Mattel’s motives for filing suit. The Court granted that motion as to the wrongful injunction claim, which it dismissed with prejudice, and as to the allegations about Mattel’s motives, which it struck. The Court denied the motion as to MGA’s trade secret misappropriation claim and its claim for violations of RICO.
The Court resolved summary judgment motions in late 2010. Among other rulings, the Court dismissed both parties’ RICO claims; dismissed Mattel’s claim for breach of fiduciary duty and portions of other claims as “preempted” by the trade secrets act; dismissed MGA’s trade dress infringement claims; dismissed MGA’s unjust enrichment claim; dismissed MGA’s common law unfair competition claim; and dismissed portions of Mattel’s copyright infringement claim as to “later generation” Bratz dolls.
Trial of all remaining claims began in early January 2011. During the trial, and before the case was submitted to the jury, the Court granted MGA’s motions for judgment as to Mattel’s claims for aiding and abetting breach of duty of loyalty and conversion. The Court also granted a defense motion for judgment on portions of Mattel’s claim for misappropriation of trade secrets relating to thefts by former Mattel employees located in Mexico.
The jury reached verdicts on the remaining claims in April 2011. In those verdicts, the jury ruled against Mattel on its claims for ownership of Bratz-related works, for copyright infringement, and for misappropriation of trade secrets. The jury ruled for MGA on its claim of trade secret misappropriation as to 26 of its claimed trade secrets and awarded $88.5 million in damages. The jury ruled against MGA as to 88 of its claimed trade secrets. The jury found that Mattel’s misappropriation was willful and malicious.
In early August 2011, the Court ruled on post-trial motions. The Court rejected MGA’s unfair competition claims and also rejected Mattel’s equitable defenses to MGA’s misappropriation of trade secrets claim. The Court reduced the jury’s damages award of $88.5 million to $85.0 million. The Court awarded MGA an additional $85.0 million in punitive damages and approximately $140 million in attorney’s fees and costs. The Court entered a judgment which totaled approximately $310 million in favor of MGA.
On August 11, 2011, Mattel appealed the judgment, challenging on appeal the entirety of the District Court’s monetary award in favor of MGA, including both the award of $170 million in damages for alleged trade secret misappropriation and approximately $140 million in attorney’s fees and costs. On January 24, 2013, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling on Mattel’s appeal. In that ruling, the Court found that MGA’s claim for trade secrets misappropriation was not compulsory to any Mattel claim and could not be filed as a counterclaim-in-reply. Accordingly, the Court of Appeals vacated the portion of the judgment awarding damages and attorney’s fees and costs to MGA for prevailing on its trade secrets misappropriation claim, totaling approximately $172.5 million. It ruled that, on remand, the District Court must dismiss MGA’s trade secret claim without prejudice. In its ruling, the Court of Appeals also affirmed the District Court’s award of attorney’s fees and costs under the Copyright Act. Accordingly, Mattel recorded a litigation accrual of approximately $138 million during the fourth quarter of 2012 to cover these fees and costs.
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Because multiple claimants asserted rights to the attorney’s fees portion of the judgment, on February 13, 2013, Mattel filed a motion in the District Court for orders permitting Mattel to interplead the proceeds of the judgment and releasing Mattel from liability to any claimant based on Mattel’s payment of the judgment.
On February 27, 2013, MGA filed a motion for leave to amend its prior complaint in the existing federal court lawsuit so that it could reassert its trade secrets claim. Mattel opposed that motion. On December 17, 2013, the District Court denied MGA’s motion for leave to amend and entered an order dismissing MGA’s trade secrets claim without prejudice. Also on December 17, 2013, following a settlement between MGA and certain insurance carriers, the District Court denied Mattel’s motion for leave to interplead the proceeds of the judgment.
On December 21, 2013, a stipulation regarding settlement with insurers and payment of judgment was filed in the District Court, which provided that (i) Mattel would pay approximately $138 million, including accrued interest, in full satisfaction of the copyright fees judgment, (ii) all parties would consent to entry of an order exonerating and discharging the appeal bond posted by Mattel, and (iii) MGA’s insurers would dismiss all pending actions related to the proceeds of the copyright fees judgment, including an appeal by Evanston Insurance Company in an action against Mattel that was pending in the Ninth Circuit. On December 23, 2013, Mattel paid the copyright fees judgment in the total sum, including interest, of approximately $138 million. On December 26, 2013, the District Court entered an order exonerating and discharging the appeal bond posted by Mattel, and on December 27, 2013, MGA filed an acknowledgment of satisfaction of judgment. On December 30, 2013, Evanston Insurance Company’s appeal in its action against Mattel was dismissed.
On January 13, 2014, MGA filed a new, but virtually identical, trade secrets claim against Mattel in Los Angeles County Superior Court. In its complaint, MGA purports to seek damages in excess of $1 billion. Mattel believes that MGA’s claim should be barred as a matter of law, and intends to vigorously defend against it. On December 3, 2014, the Court overruled Mattel’s request to dismiss MGA’s case as barred as a result of prior litigation between the parties. In light of that ruling, Mattel believes that it is reasonably possible that damages in this matter could range from $0 to approximately $12.5 million. In addition, Mattel believes that if such damages are awarded, it is reasonably possible that pre-judgment interest, ranging from $0 to approximately $12.0 million, could be awarded. Mattel may be entitled to an offset against any damages awarded to MGA. Mattel has not quantified the amount of any such offset as it is not currently estimable. As Mattel believes a loss in this matter is reasonably possible but not probable, no liability has been accrued to date.
Litigation Related to Yellowstone do Brasil Ltda.
Yellowstone do Brasil Ltda. (formerly known as Trebbor Informática Ltda.) was a customer of Mattel’s subsidiary Mattel do Brasil Ltda. when a commercial dispute arose between Yellowstone and Mattel do Brasil regarding the supply of product and related payment terms. As a consequence of the dispute, in April 1999, Yellowstone filed a declarative action against Mattel do Brasil before the 15th Civil Court of Curitiba - State of Parana (the “Trial Court”), requesting the annulment of its security bonds and promissory notes given to Mattel do Brasil as well as requesting the Trial Court to find Mattel do Brasil liable for damages incurred as a result of Mattel do Brasil’s alleged abrupt and unreasonable breach of an oral exclusive distribution agreement between the parties relating to the supply and sale of toys in Brazil. Yellowstone’s complaint sought alleged loss of profits of approximately $1 million, plus an unspecified amount of damages consisting of: (i) compensation for all investments made by Yellowstone to develop Mattel do Brasil’s business; (ii) reimbursement of the amounts paid by Yellowstone to terminate labor and civil contracts in connection with the business; (iii) compensation for alleged unfair competition and for the goodwill of trade; and (iv) compensation for non-pecuniary damages.
Mattel do Brasil filed its defenses to these claims and simultaneously presented a counterclaim for unpaid accounts receivable for goods supplied to Yellowstone in the approximate amount of $4 million.
During the evidentiary phase a first accounting report was submitted by a court-appointed expert. Such report stated that Yellowstone had invested approximately $3 million in its business. Additionally, the court-appointed expert calculated a loss of profits compensation of approximately $1 million. Mattel do Brasil challenged the report since it was not made based on the official accounting documents of Yellowstone and since the report calculated damages based only on documents unilaterally submitted by Yellowstone.
The Trial Court accepted the challenge and ruled that a second accounting examination should take place in the lawsuit. Yellowstone appealed the decision to the Court of Appeals of the State of Parana (the “Appeals Court”), but it was upheld by the Appeals Court.
The second court-appointed expert’s report submitted at trial did not assign a value to any of Yellowstone’s claims and found no evidence of causation between Mattel do Brasil’s actions and such claims.
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In January 2010, the Trial Court ruled in favor of Mattel do Brasil and denied all of Yellowstone’s claims based primarily on the lack of any causal connection between the acts of Mattel do Brasil and Yellowstone’s alleged damages. Additionally, the Trial Court upheld Mattel do Brasil’s counterclaim and ordered Yellowstone to pay Mattel do Brasil approximately $4 million. The likelihood of Mattel do Brasil recovering this amount was uncertain due to the fact that Yellowstone was declared insolvent and filed for bankruptcy protection. In February 2010, Yellowstone filed a motion seeking clarification of the decision which was denied.
In September 2010, Yellowstone filed a further appeal with the Appeals Court. Under Brazilian law, the appeal was de novo and Yellowstone restated all of the arguments it made at the Trial Court level. Yellowstone did not provide any additional information supporting its unspecified alleged damages. The Appeals Court held hearings on the appeal in March and April 2013. On July 26, 2013, the Appeals Court awarded Yellowstone approximately $17 million in damages, plus attorney's fees, as adjusted for inflation and interest. The Appeals Court also awarded Mattel do Brasil approximately $7.5 million on its counterclaim, as adjusted for inflation. On August 2, 2013, Mattel do Brasil filed a motion with the Appeals Court for clarification since the written decision contained clear errors in terms of amounts awarded and interest and inflation adjustments. Mattel do Brasil’s motion also asked the Appeals Court to decide whether Yellowstone’s award could be offset by the counterclaim award, despite Yellowstone’s status as a bankrupt entity. Yellowstone also filed a motion for clarification on August 5, 2013. A decision on the clarification motions was rendered on November 11, 2014, and the Appeals Court accepted partially the arguments raised by Mattel do Brasil. As a result, the Appeals Court awarded Yellowstone approximately $14.5 million in damages, as adjusted for inflation and interest, plus attorney's fees. The Appeals Court also awarded Mattel do Brasil approximately $7.5 million on its counterclaim, as adjusted for inflation. The decision also recognized the existence of legal rules that support Mattel do Brasil’s right to offset its counterclaim award of approximately $7.5 million. Mattel do Brasil filed a new motion for clarification with the Appeals Court on January 21, 2015, due to the incorrect statement made by the reporting judge of the Appeals Court, that the court-appointed expert analyzed the “accounting documents” of Yellowstone. On April 26, 2015, a decision on the motion for clarification was rendered. The Appeals Court ruled that the motion for clarification was denied and imposed a fine on Mattel do Brasil equal to 1% of the value of the claims made for the delay caused by the motion. On July 3, 2015, Mattel do Brasil filed a special appeal to the Superior Court of Justice based upon both procedural and substantive grounds. This special appeal seeks to reverse the Appeals Court's decision of July 26, 2013, and to reverse the fine as inappropriate under the law. This special appeal was submitted to the Appeals Court which must rule on its admissibility before it is transferred to the Superior Court.
Yellowstone also filed a special appeal with the Appeals Court in February 2015, which was made available to Mattel do Brasil on October 7, 2015. Yellowstone's special appeal seeks to reverse the Appeals Court decision with respect to: (a) the limitation on Yellowstone's loss of profits claim to the amount requested in the complaint, instead of the amount contained in the first court-appointed experts report, and (b) the award of damages to Mattel do Brasil on the counterclaim, since the specific amount was not requested in Mattel do Brasil's counterclaim brief.
On October 19, 2015, Mattel do Brasil filed its answer to the special appeal filed by Yellowstone and Yellowstone filed its answer to the special appeal filed by Mattel do Brasil. On April 4, 2016, the Appeals Court rendered a decision denying the admissibility of Mattel’s and Yellowstone’s special appeals. On May 11, 2016, both Mattel and Yellowstone filed interlocutory appeals and are awaiting the decision.
On August 31, 2017, the reporting justice for the Appeals Court denied Yellowstone’s interlocutory appeal. As to Mattel, the reporting justice reversed the fine referenced above that had been previously imposed on Mattel for filing a motion for clarification. However, the reporting justice rejected Mattel’s arguments on the merits of Yellowstone’s damages claims. On September 22, 2017, Mattel filed a further appeal to the full panel of five appellate justices to challenge the merits of Yellowstone’s damages claims. Yellowstone did not file a further appeal.
Mattel believes that it is reasonably possible that a loss in this matter could range from $0 to approximately $18.5 million. The high end of this range, approximately $18.5 million, is based on the calculation of the current amount of the damages (reported in the first court-appointed examination report submitted in the lawsuit), and loss of profits (indicated in the complaint by Yellowstone), including interest, inflation, currency adjustments, plus attorney's fees. Mattel do Brasil will be entitled to offset its counterclaim award of approximately $7.5 million, the current amount including inflation, and currency adjustment, against such loss. The existence of procedural matters that will be addressed to the Superior Court of Justice adds some uncertainty to the final outcome of the matter. Mattel do Brasil believes, however, that it has valid legal grounds for an appeal of the Appeals Court decision. Mattel do Brasil may be required by the Trial Court to place a bond for the full amount of the damage award in escrow pending an appeal decision by the Superior Court. As Mattel believes a loss in this matter is reasonably possible but not probable, no liability has been accrued to date.
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Securities Litigation
Two stockholders have filed purported class action lawsuits in the United States District Court for the Central District of California (Waterford Township Police & Fire Retirement System v. Mattel, Inc., et al., filed June 27, 2017; and Lathe v. Mattel, Inc., et al., filed July 6, 2017) against Mattel, Christopher A. Sinclair, Richard Dickson, Kevin M. Farr, and Joseph B. Johnson alleging federal securities laws violations in connection with statements allegedly made by the defendants during the period October 20, 2016 through April 20, 2017. In general, the lawsuits assert the same or similar allegations, including that the defendants artificially inflated Mattel’s common stock price by knowingly making materially false and misleading statements and omissions to the investing public about retail customer inventory, the alignment between point-of-sale and shipping data, and Mattel’s overall financial condition. The lawsuits allege that the defendants’ conduct caused the plaintiffs and other stockholders to purchase Mattel common stock at artificially inflated prices. By an order dated September 29, 2017, the two actions were ordered consolidated and a lead plaintiff was appointed.
The lawsuits seek unspecified compensatory damages, attorneys’ fees, expert fees, and costs. Mattel believes that the allegations are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against them. A reasonable estimate of the amount of any possible loss or range of loss cannot be made at this time.

21. | Segment Information

Mattel, through its subsidiaries, sells a broad variety of toy products which are grouped into four major brand categories:
Mattel Girls & Boys Brands—including Barbie® fashion dolls and accessories (“Barbie”), Monster High®, Ever After High®, Polly Pocket®, and DC Super Hero Girls™ (collectively “Other Girls”), Hot Wheels® and Matchbox® vehicles and play sets (collectively “Wheels”), and CARS®, DC Comics®, WWE® Wrestling, Minecraft®, Max Steel®, BOOMco.®, Toy Story®, and games and puzzles (collectively “Entertainment”).
Fisher-Price Brands—including Fisher-Price®, Little People®, BabyGear™, Laugh & Learn®, and Imaginext® (collectively “Core Fisher-Price”), Thomas & Friends®, Dora the Explorer®, Mickey Mouse® Clubhouse, and Disney Jake and the Never Land Pirates® (collectively “Fisher-Price Friends”), and Power Wheels®.
American Girl Brands—including Truly Me®, Girl of the Year®, BeForever®, Bitty Baby®, and WellieWishers™. American Girl® Brands products are sold directly to consumers via its catalog, website, and proprietary retail stores, as well as sold directly to certain retailers.
Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands—including MEGA BLOKS® and RoseArt®.
Mattel’s operating segments are: (i) North America, which consists of the US and Canada, (ii) International, and (iii) American Girl. The North America and International segments sell products in the Mattel Girls & Boys Brands, Fisher-Price Brands, and Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands categories, although some are developed and adapted for particular international markets.
Segment Data
The following tables present information about revenues, income, and assets by segment. In the following tables, Mattel does not include sales adjustments such as trade discounts and other allowances in the calculation of segment revenues (referred to as “gross sales” and reconciled to net sales in Part I, Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations–Non-GAAP Financial Measures” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q). Mattel records these adjustments in its financial accounting systems at the time of sale to each customer, but the adjustments are not allocated to brands or individual products. For this reason, Mattel’s chief operating decision maker uses gross sales by segment as one of the metrics to measure segment performance. Such sales adjustments are included in the determination of segment income from operations based on the adjustments recorded in the financial accounting systems. Segment income represents each segment’s operating income, while consolidated operating income represents income from operations before net interest, other non-operating expense/income, net, and income taxes as reported in the consolidated statements of operations. The corporate and other expense category includes costs not allocated to individual segments, including charges related to incentive compensation, share-based payments, and corporate headquarters functions managed on a worldwide basis, and the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany transactions.
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| For the Three Months Ended |  | For the Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016
| (In thousands)
Revenues by Segment |  |  |  |  |  |  |
North America | $ | 839,341 |  |  | $ | 1,071,030 |  |  | $ | 1,708,901 |  |  | $ | 2,077,147 |
International | 776,947 |  |  | 774,211 |  |  | 1,637,031 |  |  | 1,614,169 |
American Girl | 93,876 |  |  | 130,109 |  |  | 247,376 |  |  | 298,933 |
Gross sales | 1,710,164 |  |  | 1,975,350 |  |  | 3,593,308 |  |  | 3,990,249 |
Sales adjustments | (149,181 | ) |  | (179,775 | ) |  | (322,230 | ) |  | (367,999 | )
Net sales | $ | 1,560,983 |  |  | $ | 1,795,575 |  |  | $ | 3,271,078 |  |  | $ | 3,622,250 |

| For the Three Months Ended |  | For the Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016
| (In thousands)
Segment Income (Loss) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
North America | $ | 86,240 |  |  | $ | 265,597 |  |  | $ | 109,623 |  |  | $ | 371,096 |
International | 81,307 |  |  | 150,232 |  |  | 48,140 |  |  | 155,949 |
American Girl | (14,601 | ) |  | 28,056 |  |  | (38,558 | ) |  | 21,850 |
| 152,946 |  |  | 443,885 |  |  | 119,205 |  |  | 548,895 |
Corporate and other expense (a) | (67,244 | ) |  | (126,489 | ) |  | (209,208 | ) |  | (292,305 | )
Operating income (loss) | 85,702 |  |  | 317,396 |  |  | (90,003 | ) |  | 256,590 |
Interest expense | 24,646 |  |  | 24,989 |  |  | 68,557 |  |  | 70,133 |
Interest (income) | (1,575 | ) |  | (2,477 | ) |  | (6,337 | ) |  | (7,550 | )
Other non-operating expense, net | 1,368 |  |  | 856 |  |  | 5,928 |  |  | 23,210 |
Income (loss) before income taxes | $ | 61,263 |  |  | $ | 294,028 |  |  | $ | (158,151 | ) |  | $ | 170,797 |

__________________________________________

(a) | Corporate and other expense includes severance and restructuring expenses of $12.6 million and $21.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $6.4 million and $33.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, and share-based compensation expense of $17.0 million and $47.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $12.4 million and $38.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.

Segment assets are comprised of accounts receivable and inventories, net of applicable reserves and allowances.

| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | December 31, 2016
| (In thousands)
Assets by Segment |  |  |  |  |
North America | $ | 1,060,312 |  |  | $ | 1,050,120 |  |  | $ | 677,203 |
International | 1,144,772 |  |  | 1,049,008 |  |  | 766,584 |
American Girl | 197,110 |  |  | 184,101 |  |  | 154,924 |
| 2,402,194 |  |  | 2,283,229 |  |  | 1,598,711 |
Corporate and other | 93,946 |  |  | 156,125 |  |  | 130,304 |
Accounts receivable, net and inventories | $ | 2,496,140 |  |  | $ | 2,439,354 |  |  | $ | 1,729,015 |

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The table below presents worldwide revenues by brand category:

| For the Three Months Ended |  | For the Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016
| (In thousands)
Worldwide Revenues by Brand Category |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Mattel Girls & Boys Brands | $ | 967,028 |  |  | $ | 1,061,113 |  |  | $ | 2,018,017 |  |  | $ | 2,142,665 |
Fisher-Price Brands | 561,610 |  |  | 661,489 |  |  | 1,143,466 |  |  | 1,280,435 |
American Girl Brands | 88,008 |  |  | 125,499 |  |  | 234,181 |  |  | 286,910 |
Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands | 84,599 |  |  | 118,605 |  |  | 176,076 |  |  | 252,802 |
Other | 8,919 |  |  | 8,644 |  |  | 21,568 |  |  | 27,437 |
Gross sales | 1,710,164 |  |  | 1,975,350 |  |  | 3,593,308 |  |  | 3,990,249 |
Sales adjustments | (149,181 | ) |  | (179,775 | ) |  | (322,230 | ) |  | (367,999 | )
Net sales | $ | 1,560,983 |  |  | $ | 1,795,575 |  |  | $ | 3,271,078 |  |  | $ | 3,622,250 |

22. | New Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance establishes a five-step model to achieve that core principle and also requires additional disclosures about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. ASU 2014-09 was originally effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Deferral of the Effective Date, which defers the effective date to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early application is permitted after December 15, 2016. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations, and ASU 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which clarifies the identification of performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, which clarifies guidance on assessing collectibility, presenting sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers, measuring noncash consideration, and certain transition matters. ASU 2014-09, ASU 2015-14, ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, and ASU 2016-12 (collectively, the “new revenue standards”) will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2018. Upon adoption, Mattel will recognize the cumulative effect of adopting this guidance as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. Prior periods will not be retrospectively adjusted. Mattel continues to make progress in its implementation and assessment of the new revenue standards. While the completion of this assessment is still ongoing and certain licensing contracts will be impacted by the new revenue standards, Mattel does not expect the new standards to have a material impact on its revenue recognition accounting policy and its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which requires a lessee to recognize a lease asset and lease liability on its balance sheet for all leases with a term greater than 12 months. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2019. Mattel is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-02 on its operating results and financial position.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which adds and clarifies guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2018. Mattel is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-15 on its operating results and financial position.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory, which requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. ASU 2016-16 will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2018. Mattel is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-16 on its operating results and financial position.
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In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which clarifies the definition of a business to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses and refines the definition of the term output. ASU 2017-01 will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2018. Mattel is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2017-01 on its operating results and financial position.
In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets, which clarifies the scope on recently established guidance on nonfinancial asset derecognition as well as the accounting for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. ASU 2017-05 will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2018. Mattel is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2017-05 on its operating results and financial position.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits: Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, which requires entities that sponsor defined benefit plans to (i) present service cost within operations, if such a subtotal is presented, (ii) other components of net benefit costs should be presented separately outside of income from operations, if such a subtotal is presented, and (iii) only the service cost component should be capitalized, when applicable. If a separate line item is not used, the line item in the income statement where the other components of net benefit costs are included must be disclosed. Further, gains and losses from curtailments and settlements, and the cost of certain termination benefits should be reported in the same manner as other components of net benefit cost. ASU 2017-07 will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2018. Mattel is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2017-07 on its operating results and financial position.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation: Scope of Modification Accounting, which clarifies when to account for a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award as a modification. ASU 2017-09 will be effective prospectively for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2018. Mattel is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2017-09 on its operating results and financial position.
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, which expands the hedging strategies eligible for hedge accounting and changes both how companies assess hedge effectiveness and presentation and disclosure requirements. ASU 2017-12 will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2019. Early application is permitted in any interim period after issuance of the update. Mattel is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2017-12 on its operating results and financial position.

23. | Subsequent Event

On October 26, 2017, Mattel announced that its Board of Directors determined to suspend the Company's quarterly dividend beginning in the fourth quarter of 2017.
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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
In the discussion that follows, “Mattel” refers to Mattel, Inc. and/or one or more of its family of companies.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial information and related notes that appear in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Mattel’s business is seasonal with consumers making a large percentage of all toy purchases during the traditional holiday season; therefore, results of operations are comparable only with corresponding periods.
The following discussion also includes gross sales and currency exchange rate impact, non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Regulation G”), to supplement the financial results as reported in accordance with GAAP. Gross sales represent sales to customers, excluding the impact of sales adjustments, such as trade discounts and other allowances. The currency exchange rate impact reflects the portion (expressed as a percentage) of changes in Mattel's reported results that are attributable to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Mattel uses these non-GAAP financial measures to analyze its continuing operations and to monitor, assess, and identify meaningful trends in its operating and financial performance. Management believes that the disclosure of non-GAAP financial measures provides useful supplemental information to investors to allow them to better evaluate ongoing business performance and certain components of Mattel's results. These measures are not, and should not be viewed as, a substitute for GAAP financial measures. Refer to “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a more detailed discussion, including a reconciliation of gross sales, a non-GAAP financial measure, to net sales, its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.
Overview
Mattel designs, manufactures, and markets a broad variety of toy products worldwide which are sold to its customers and directly to consumers. Mattel is the owner of a portfolio of global brands with untapped intellectual property potential. Mattel's products are among the most widely recognized toy products in the world. Mattel’s portfolio of brands and products are grouped into four major brand categories:
Mattel Girls & Boys Brands—including Barbie fashion dolls and accessories (“Barbie”), Monster High, Ever After High, Polly Pocket, and DC Super Hero Girls (collectively “Other Girls”), Hot Wheels and Matchbox vehicles and play sets (collectively “Wheels”), and CARS, DC Comics, WWE Wrestling, Minecraft, Max Steel, BOOMco., Toy Story, and games and puzzles (collectively “Entertainment”).
Fisher-Price Brands—including Fisher-Price, Little People, BabyGear, Laugh & Learn, and Imaginext (collectively “Core Fisher-Price”), Thomas & Friends, Dora the Explorer, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Disney Jake and the Never Land Pirates (collectively “Fisher-Price Friends”), and Power Wheels.
American Girl Brands—including Truly Me, Girl of the Year, BeForever, Bitty Baby, and WellieWishers. American Girl Brands products are sold directly to consumers via its catalog, website, and proprietary retail stores, as well as sold directly to certain retailers.
Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands—including MEGA BLOKS and RoseArt.
Mattel's vision is to “inspire the wonder of childhood as the global leader in learning and development through play.” In order to deliver on this vision, Mattel is focused on the following five-pillar strategy:

• | Build Mattel's Power Brands (American Girl, Barbie, Fisher-Price, Hot Wheels, and Thomas & Friends) into connected 360-degree play systems and experiences;

• | Accelerate emerging markets growth with digital-first solutions;

• | Focus and strengthen Mattel's innovation pipeline;

• | Reshape Mattel's operations to enable this strategy - leaner, faster, and smarter - via commercial realignment, supply chain transformation and IT transformation; and

• | Reignite Mattel's culture and team.

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Third Quarter 2017 Overview
Mattel’s third quarter 2017 financial highlights include the following:

• | Net sales in the third quarter of 2017 were $1.56 billion, down 13% as compared to third quarter of 2016 net sales of $1.80 billion. As a result of Toys “R” Us filing for bankruptcy, Mattel reversed approximately $43 million of net sales in the third quarter of 2017.

• | Gross sales in the third quarter of 2017 were $1.71 billion, down 13% as compared to third quarter of 2016 gross sales of $1.98 billion. As a result of Toys “R” Us filing for bankruptcy, Mattel reversed approximately $47 million of gross sales in the third quarter of 2017.

• | Gross margin in the third quarter of 2017 was 41.5%, a decrease of 700 basis points from the third quarter of 2016. The decrease in gross margin was driven by unfavorable product mix, higher freight and logistics expenses, an unfavorable impact from Toys “R” Us filing for bankruptcy, and lower licensing income.

• | Operating income in the third quarter of 2017 was $85.7 million, as compared to operating income of $317.4 million in the third quarter of 2016.

• | Diluted net loss per share in the third quarter of 2017 was $1.75, as compared to diluted net income per share of $0.68 in the third quarter of 2016. Mattel's provision for income taxes includes a discrete non-cash tax expense of $561.9 million related to deferred tax assets that will likely not be realized.

Results of Operations—Third Quarter
Consolidated Results
Net sales for the third quarter of 2017 were $1.56 billion, a 13% decrease, as compared to $1.80 billion in the third quarter of 2016, with a favorable impact from changes in currency exchange rates of 1 percentage point. As a result of Toys “R” Us filing for bankruptcy in September 2017, Mattel reversed approximately $43 million of net sales attributable to the North America segment in the third quarter of 2017. Mattel reduced shipping to Toys “R” Us in early September, which resulted in a loss of revenue in the third quarter of 2017. Further, gross margin includes the cost of sales for the inventory sold to Toys “R” Us, but excludes the corresponding net sales. Net loss for the third quarter of 2017 was $603.2 million, or $1.75 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $236.3 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, in the third quarter of 2016. Net loss for the third quarter of 2017 was negatively impacted by discrete non-cash tax expense of $561.9 million related to the establishment of a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets that will likely not be realized and lower gross profit.
The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s consolidated results for the third quarter of 2017 and 2016:

| For the Three Months Ended |  | Year/Year Change
September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |
Amount |  | % of Net Sales |  | Amount |  | % of Net Sales |  | % |  | Basis Points of Net Sales
| (In millions, except percentage and basis point information)
Net sales | $ | 1,561.0 |  |  | 100.0 | % |  | $ | 1,795.6 |  |  | 100.0 | % |  | -13 | % |  | — |
Gross profit | $ | 647.2 |  |  | 41.5 | % |  | $ | 870.8 |  |  | 48.5 | % |  | -26 | % |  | -700 |
Advertising and promotion expenses | 179.7 |  |  | 11.5 | % |  | 202.9 |  |  | 11.3 | % |  | -11 | % |  | 20 |
Other selling and administrative expenses | 381.8 |  |  | 24.5 | % |  | 350.5 |  |  | 19.5 | % |  | 9 | % |  | 500 |
Operating income | 85.7 |  |  | 5.5 | % |  | 317.4 |  |  | 17.7 | % |  | -73 | % |  | -1,220 |
Interest expense | 24.7 |  |  | 1.6 | % |  | 25.0 |  |  | 1.4 | % |  | -1 | % |  | 20 |
Interest (income) | (1.5 | ) |  | -0.1 | % |  | (2.5 | ) |  | -0.1 | % |  | -36 | % |  | — |
Other non-operating expense, net | 1.3 |  |  |  |  | 0.9 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Income before income taxes | $ | 61.2 |  |  | 3.9 | % |  | $ | 294.0 |  |  | 16.4 | % |  | -79 | % |  | -1,250 |

Sales
Net sales for the third quarter of 2017 were $1.56 billion, a 13% decrease, as compared to $1.80 billion in the third quarter of 2016, with a favorable impact from changes in currency exchange rates of 1 percentage point.
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The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s consolidated gross sales by brand for the third quarter of 2017 and 2016:

| For the Three Months Ended |  | % Change as Reported |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |
| (In millions, except percentage information)
Mattel Girls & Boys Brands: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Barbie | $ | 329.6 |  |  | $ | 349.7 |  |  | -6 | % |  | 1 | %
Other Girls | 96.3 |  |  | 161.6 |  |  | -40 | % |  | 2 | %
Wheels | 270.3 |  |  | 281.9 |  |  | -4 | % |  | 2 | %
Entertainment | 270.8 |  |  | 267.9 |  |  | 1 | % |  | 2 | %
| 967.0 |  |  | 1,061.1 |  |  | -9 | % |  | 1 | %
Fisher-Price Brands: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Core Fisher-Price | 396.8 |  |  | 453.3 |  |  | -12 | % |  | 1 | %
Fisher-Price Friends | 136.4 |  |  | 166.7 |  |  | -18 | % |  | 1 | %
Other Fisher-Price | 28.4 |  |  | 41.5 |  |  | -32 | % |  | — | %
| 561.6 |  |  | 661.5 |  |  | -15 | % |  | 1 | %
American Girl Brands | 88.0 |  |  | 125.5 |  |  | -30 | % |  | — | %
Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands | 84.6 |  |  | 118.6 |  |  | -29 | % |  | 1 | %
Other | 9.0 |  |  | 8.7 |  |  |  |  |
Total Gross Sales | $ | 1,710.2 |  |  | $ | 1,975.4 |  |  | -13 | % |  | 2 | %
Sales Adjustments | (149.2 | ) |  | (179.8 | ) |  |  |  |
Total Net Sales | $ | 1,561.0 |  |  | $ | 1,795.6 |  |  | -13 | % |  | 1 | %

Gross sales were $1.71 billion in the third quarter of 2017, a decrease of $265.2 million or 13%, as compared to $1.98 billion in the third quarter of 2016, with a favorable impact from changes in currency exchange rates of 2 percentage points. The decrease in gross sales was primarily due to lower sales of Other Girls, American Girl, Construction and Arts & Crafts, Fisher-Price Friends, and Core Fisher-Price products, partially as a result of the reversal of approximately $47 million of gross
sales related to Toys “R” Us filing for bankruptcy. In addition, Mattel began to reduce shipping to Toys “R” Us in early
September, which resulted in a loss of revenue in the third quarter of 2017. Of the 40% decrease in Other Girls gross sales, 30% was due to lower sales of Monster High products, 15% was due to lower sales of DC Super Hero Girls products, and 11% was due to lower sales of Ever After High products, partially offset by initial sales of Enchantimals products of 12%. The 30% decrease in American Girl gross sales was due to lower licensing income and initial sales in the prior year through external distribution channels. Of the 29% decrease in Construction and Arts & Crafts gross sales, 26% was due to lower sales of MEGA BLOKS products, primarily driven by licensed properties and MEGA BLOKS Preschool products. Of the 18% decrease in Fisher-Price Friends gross sales, 17% was due to lower sales of Thomas & Friends products. Of the 12% decrease in Core Fisher-Price gross sales, 6% was due to lower sales of infant products and 3% was due to lower sales of Imaginext products.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales was 58.5% in the third quarter of 2017, as compared to 51.5% in the third quarter of 2016. Cost of sales decreased by $11.0 million, or 1%, to $913.8 million in the third quarter of 2017 from $924.8 million in the third quarter of 2016, as compared to a 13% decrease in net sales. Within cost of sales, product and other costs decreased by $26.6 million, or 3%, to $738.4 million in the third quarter of 2017 from $765.0 million in the third quarter of 2016; freight and logistics expenses increased by $14.3 million, or 16%, to $103.0 million in the third quarter of 2017 from $88.7 million in the third quarter of 2016; royalty expense increased by $1.3 million, or 2%, to $72.4 million in the third quarter of 2017 from $71.1 million in the third quarter of 2016.
Gross Margin
Gross margin decreased to 41.5% in the third quarter of 2017 from 48.5% in the third quarter of 2016. The decrease in gross margin was driven by unfavorable product mix, higher freight and logistics expenses, an unfavorable impact from Toys “R” Us filing for bankruptcy, and lower licensing income. As a result of the Toys “R” Us net sales reversal, gross margin includes the cost of sales for the inventory sold, but excludes the corresponding net sales.
33

Advertising and Promotion Expenses
Advertising and promotion expenses primarily consist of: (i) media costs, which primarily include the media, planning, and buying fees for television, print, and online advertisements, (ii) non-media costs, which primarily include commercial and website production, merchandising, and promotional costs, (iii) retail advertising costs, which primarily include consumer direct catalogs, newspaper inserts, fliers, and mailers, and (iv) generic advertising costs, which primarily include trade show costs. Advertising and promotion expenses as a percentage of net sales increased to 11.5% in the third quarter of 2017 from 11.3% in the third quarter of 2016.
Other Selling and Administrative Expenses
Other selling and administrative expenses were $381.8 million, or 24.5% of net sales, in the third quarter of 2017, as compared to $350.5 million, or 19.5% of net sales, in the third quarter of 2016. The increase in other selling and administrative expenses was primarily due to asset impairments of approximately $15 million, higher employee-related costs of approximately $7 million, higher severance and restructuring expenses of approximately $6 million, and investments in the new American Girl flagship store in New York City of approximately $3 million, partially offset by lower incentive and equity compensation expenses of approximately $8 million.
Provision for Income Taxes
Mattel’s provision for income taxes was $664.5 million and $57.8 million in the third quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively. Mattel recognized net discrete tax expense of $561.5 million in the third quarter of 2017 primarily related to a non-cash charge of $561.9 million resulting from the establishment of a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets that will likely not be realized and net discrete tax benefits of $9.0 million in the third quarter of 2016 primarily related to reassessments of prior years’ tax liabilities based on the status of audits and tax filings in various jurisdictions around the world.
North America Segment
The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s gross sales by brand for the North America segment for the third quarter of 2017 and 2016:

| For the Three Months Ended |  | % Change as Reported |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |
| (In millions, except percentage information)
Mattel Girls & Boys Brands: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Barbie | $ | 171.2 |  |  | $ | 183.0 |  |  | -7 | % |  | — | %
Other Girls | 33.2 |  |  | 79.6 |  |  | -58 | % |  | — | %
Wheels | 130.7 |  |  | 157.5 |  |  | -17 | % |  | — | %
Entertainment | 124.5 |  |  | 157.0 |  |  | -21 | % |  | — | %
| 459.6 |  |  | 577.1 |  |  | -20 | % |  | — | %
Fisher-Price Brands: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Core Fisher-Price | 225.1 |  |  | 279.1 |  |  | -19 | % |  | — | %
Fisher-Price Friends | 68.9 |  |  | 88.6 |  |  | -22 | % |  | — | %
Other Fisher-Price | 27.9 |  |  | 40.3 |  |  | -31 | % |  | — | %
| 321.9 |  |  | 408.0 |  |  | -21 | % |  | — | %
Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands | 54.5 |  |  | 82.9 |  |  | -34 | % |  | — | %
Other | 3.3 |  |  | 3.0 |  |  |  |  |
Total Gross Sales | $ | 839.3 |  |  | $ | 1,071.0 |  |  | -22 | % |  | — | %
Sales Adjustments | (43.2 | ) |  | (67.4 | ) |  |  |  |
Total Net Sales | $ | 796.1 |  |  | $ | 1,003.6 |  |  | -21 | % |  | — | %

34

Gross sales for the North America segment were $839.3 million in the third quarter of 2017, a decrease of $231.7 million, or 22%, as compared to $1.07 billion in the third quarter of 2016. The decrease in the North America segment gross sales was primarily due to lower sales of Other Girls, Construction and Arts & Crafts, Fisher-Price Friends, Entertainment, Core Fisher-Price, and Wheels products. As a result Toys “R” Us filing for bankruptcy, Mattel reversed approximately $47 million of gross sales in the third quarter of 2017. In addition, Mattel began to reduce shipping to Toys “R” Us in early September, which resulted in a loss of revenue in the third quarter of 2017. Of the 58% decrease in Other Girls gross sales, 40% was due to lower sales of Monster High products and 18% was due to lower sales of DC Super Hero Girls products. Of the 34% decrease in Construction and Arts & Crafts gross sales, 30% was due to lower sales of MEGA BLOKS products, primarily driven by licensed properties and MEGA BLOKS Preschool products. Of the 22% decrease in Fisher-Price Friends gross sales, 22% was due to lower sales of Thomas & Friends products. Of the 21% decrease in Entertainment gross sales, 13% was due to lower sales of Minecraft products, 4% was due to lower sales of DC Comics products, 4% was due to lower sales of games and puzzles products, and 7% was due to lower sales of other licensed properties, partially offset by higher sales of CARS products of 12%. Of the 19% decrease in Core Fisher-Price gross sales, 8% was due to lower sales of infant products and 5% was due to lower sales of Imaginext products. Of the 17% decrease in Wheels gross sales, 9% was due to lower sales of Hot Wheels products and 6% was due to lower sales of Tyco™ RC vehicles products.
Cost of sales decreased 6% in the third quarter of 2017, as compared to a 21% decrease in net sales, primarily due to lower product and other costs, partially offset by higher freight and logistics expenses. Gross margin in the third quarter of 2017 decreased due to an unfavorable impact from Toys “R” Us filing for bankruptcy, higher freight and logistics expenses, and unfavorable product mix. As a result of the Toys “R” Us net sales reversal, gross margin includes the cost of sales for the inventory sold, but excludes the corresponding net sales.
North America segment income decreased to $86.2 million in the third quarter of 2017, as compared to $265.6 million in the third quarter of 2016, primarily due to lower gross profit and higher other selling and administrative expenses, partially offset by lower advertising and promotion expenses.
International Segment
The following table provides a summary of percentage changes in net sales within the International segment in the third quarter of 2017 versus 2016:

| % Change in Net Sales as Reported |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact
Total International Segment | 1 | % |  | 2 | %
Europe | — | % |  | 3 | %
Latin America | 4 | % |  | 3 | %
Asia Pacific | 1 | % |  | — | %

The following table provides a summary of percentage changes in gross sales within the International segment in the third quarter of 2017 versus 2016:

| % Change in Gross Sales as Reported |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact
Total International Segment | — | % |  | 2 | %
Europe | -1 | % |  | 4 | %
Latin America | 2 | % |  | 3 | %
Asia Pacific | 2 | % |  | 1 | %

35

The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s gross sales by brand for the International segment for the third quarter of 2017 and 2016:

| For the Three Months Ended |  | % Change as Reported |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |
| (In millions, except percentage information)
Mattel Girls & Boys Brands: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Barbie | $ | 158.4 |  |  | $ | 166.6 |  |  | -5 | % |  | 3 | %
Other Girls | 63.1 |  |  | 82.1 |  |  | -23 | % |  | 3 | %
Wheels | 139.6 |  |  | 124.4 |  |  | 12 | % |  | 3 | %
Entertainment | 146.3 |  |  | 110.9 |  |  | 32 | % |  | 4 | %
| 507.4 |  |  | 484.0 |  |  | 5 | % |  | 3 | %
Fisher-Price Brands: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Core Fisher-Price | 171.7 |  |  | 174.2 |  |  | -1 | % |  | 3 | %
Fisher-Price Friends | 67.5 |  |  | 78.1 |  |  | -14 | % |  | 1 | %
Other Fisher-Price | 0.5 |  |  | 1.2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| 239.7 |  |  | 253.5 |  |  | -5 | % |  | 3 | %
Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands | 29.9 |  |  | 35.7 |  |  | -16 | % |  | 3 | %
Other | — |  |  | 1.0 |  |  |  |  |
Total Gross Sales | $ | 777.0 |  |  | $ | 774.2 |  |  | — | % |  | 2 | %
Sales Adjustments | (101.8 | ) |  | (108.3 | ) |  |  |  |
Total Net Sales | $ | 675.2 |  |  | $ | 665.9 |  |  | 1 | % |  | 2 | %

Gross sales for the International segment were $777.0 million in the third quarter of 2017, an increase of $2.8 million, as compared to $774.2 million in the third quarter of 2016, with a favorable impact from changes in currency exchange rates of 2 percentage points. The increase in the International segment gross sales was primarily due to higher sales of Entertainment and Wheels products, partially offset by lower sales of Other Girls, Construction and Arts & Crafts, and Fisher-Price Friends products. Of the 32% increase in Entertainment gross sales, 44% was due to higher sales of CARS products, partially offset by lower sales of Dinotrux, WWE, and Minecraft products of 3% each. Of the 12% increase in Wheels gross sales, 12% was due to higher sales of Hot Wheels products. Of the 23% decrease in Other Girls gross sales, 21% was due to lower sales of Monster High products, 13% was due to lower sales of DC Super Hero Girls products, and 12% was due to lower sales of Ever After High products, partially offset by initial sales of Enchantimals products of 19%. Of the 16% decrease in Construction and Arts & Crafts gross sales, 16% was due to lower sales of MEGA BLOKS products, primarily driven by MEGA BLOKS Preschool products and licensed properties. Of the 14% decrease in Fisher-Price Friends gross sales, 12% was due to lower sales of Thomas & Friends products.
Cost of sales increased 1% in the third quarter of 2017, as compared to an 1% increase in net sales, primarily due to higher royalty expense, partially offset by lower freight and logistics expenses. Gross margin in the third quarter of 2017 decreased as a result of an unfavorable product mix and higher royalty expense, partially offset by strategic pricing.
International segment income decreased to $81.3 million in the third quarter of 2017, as compared to $150.2 million in the third quarter of 2016, primarily due to lower gross profit and higher other selling and administrative expenses.
36

American Girl Segment
The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s gross sales by brand for the American Girl segment for the third quarter of 2017 and 2016:

| For the Three Months Ended |  | % Change as Reported |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |
| (In millions, except percentage information)
American Girl Segment: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
American Girl Brands | $ | 88.0 |  |  | $ | 124.5 |  |  | -29 | % |  | — | %
Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands | 0.2 |  |  | — |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other Brands | 5.7 |  |  | 5.6 |  |  | 3 | % |  | 5 | %
Total Gross Sales | $ | 93.9 |  |  | $ | 130.1 |  |  | -28 | % |  | — | %
Sales Adjustments | (4.2 | ) |  | (4.0 | ) |  |  |  |
Total Net Sales | $ | 89.7 |  |  | $ | 126.1 |  |  | -29 | % |  | — | %

Gross sales for the American Girl segment were $93.9 million in the third quarter of 2017, a decrease of $36.2 million, or 28%, as compared to $130.1 million in the third quarter of 2016. The decrease in American Girl segment gross sales was primarily due to lower sales of American Girl brands products. The 29% decrease in American Girl brands gross sales was due to lower licensing income and initial sales in the prior year through external distribution channels.
Cost of sales decreased 1% in the third quarter of 2017, as compared to a 29% decrease in net sales. Gross margin in the third quarter of 2017 decreased as a result of lower licensing income and higher obsolescence expense.
American Girl segment loss was $14.6 million in the third quarter of 2017, as compared to segment income of $28.1 million in the third quarter of 2016, primarily due to lower gross profit, lower licensing income, and higher other selling and administrative expenses.
Results of Operations—First Nine Months
Consolidated Results
Net sales for the first nine months of 2017 were $3.27 billion, a 10% decrease, as compared to $3.62 billion in the first nine months of 2016. As a result of Toys “R” Us filing for bankruptcy in September 2017, Mattel reversed approximately $43 million of net sales attributable to the North America segment in the third quarter of 2017. Mattel reduced shipping to Toys “R” Us in early September, which resulted in a loss of revenue in the third quarter of 2017. Further, gross margin includes the cost of sales for the inventory sold to Toys “R” Us, but excludes the corresponding net sales. Net loss for the first nine months of 2017 was $772.6 million, or $2.25 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $144.2 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2016. Net loss for the first nine months of 2017 was negatively impacted by discrete non-cash tax expense of $561.9 million related to the establishment of a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets that will likely not be realized and lower gross profit, partially offset by lower advertising and promotion expenses and lower other non-operating expense. Other non-operating expense was higher in the first nine months of 2016 due to the change in the remeasurement rate used by Mattel's Venezuelan subsidiary in the first quarter of 2016, which resulted in an unrealized foreign currency exchange loss of approximately $26 million.
37

The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s consolidated results for the first nine months of 2017 and 2016 (in millions, except percentage and basis point information):

| For the Nine Months Ended |  | Year/Year Change
September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |
Amount |  | % of Net Sales |  | Amount |  | % of Net Sales |  | % |  | Basis Points of Net Sales
| (In millions, except percentage and basis point information)
Net sales | $ | 3,271.1 |  |  | 100.0 | % |  | $ | 3,622.3 |  |  | 100.0 | % |  | -10 | % |  | — |
Gross profit | $ | 1,325.7 |  |  | 40.5 | % |  | $ | 1,693.0 |  |  | 46.7 | % |  | -22 | % |  | -620 |
Advertising and promotion expenses | 348.8 |  |  | 10.7 | % |  | 384.6 |  |  | 10.6 | % |  | -9 | % |  | 10 |
Other selling and administrative expenses | 1,066.9 |  |  | 32.6 | % |  | 1,051.8 |  |  | 29.0 | % |  | 1 | % |  | 360 |
Operating (loss) income | (90.0 | ) |  | -2.8 | % |  | 256.6 |  |  | 7.1 | % |  | -135 | % |  | -990 |
Interest expense | 68.6 |  |  | 2.1 | % |  | 70.1 |  |  | 1.9 | % |  | -2 | % |  | 20 |
Interest (income) | (6.3 | ) |  | -0.2 | % |  | (7.6 | ) |  | -0.2 | % |  | -16 | % |  | — |
Other non-operating expense, net | 5.9 |  |  |  |  | 23.3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
(Loss) income before income taxes | $ | (158.2 | ) |  | -4.8 | % |  | $ | 170.8 |  |  | 4.7 | % |  | -193 | % |  | -950 |

Sales
Net sales for the first nine months of 2017 were $3.27 billion, a 10% decrease, as compared to $3.62 billion in the first nine months of 2016.
The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s consolidated gross sales by brand results for the first nine months of 2017 and 2016:

| For the Nine Months Ended |  | % Change as Reported |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |
| (In millions, except percentage information)
Mattel Girls & Boys Brands: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Barbie | $ | 605.2 |  |  | $ | 651.3 |  |  | -7 | % |  | — | %
Other Girls | 194.7 |  |  | 304.5 |  |  | -36 | % |  | 1 | %
Wheels | 563.3 |  |  | 579.0 |  |  | -3 | % |  | — | %
Entertainment | 654.8 |  |  | 607.9 |  |  | 8 | % |  | 1 | %
| 2,018.0 |  |  | 2,142.7 |  |  | -6 | % |  | — | %
Fisher-Price Brands: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Core Fisher-Price | 794.6 |  |  | 870.1 |  |  | -9 | % |  | — | %
Fisher-Price Friends | 288.4 |  |  | 330.8 |  |  | -13 | % |  | -1 | %
Other Fisher-Price | 60.5 |  |  | 79.5 |  |  | -24 | % |  | — | %
| 1,143.5 |  |  | 1,280.4 |  |  | -11 | % |  | — | %
American Girl Brands | 234.2 |  |  | 286.9 |  |  | -18 | % |  | — | %
Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands | 176.1 |  |  | 252.8 |  |  | -30 | % |  | 1 | %
Other | 21.5 |  |  | 27.4 |  |  |  |  |
Total Gross Sales | $ | 3,593.3 |  |  | $ | 3,990.2 |  |  | -10 | % |  | — | %
Sales Adjustments | (322.2 | ) |  | (367.9 | ) |  |  |  |
Total Net Sales | $ | 3,271.1 |  |  | $ | 3,622.3 |  |  | -10 | % |  | — | %

38

Gross sales were $3.59 billion in the first nine months of 2017, a decrease of $396.9 million, or 10%, as compared to $3.99 billion in the first nine months of 2016. The decrease in gross sales was due to lower sales of Other Girls, Construction and Arts & Crafts, American Girl, and Fisher-Price Friends products, partially as a result of the reversal of approximately $47 million of gross sales related to Toys “R” Us filing for bankruptcy. In addition, Mattel began to reduce shipping to Toys “R” Us in early September, which resulted in a loss of revenue in the third quarter of 2017. Of the 36% decrease in Other Girls gross sales, 30% was due to lower sales of Monster High products and 13% was due to lower sales of Ever After High products, partially offset by initial sales of Enchantimals products of 7%. Of the 30% decrease in Construction and Arts & Crafts gross sales, 28% was due to lower sales of MEGA BLOKS products, primarily driven by licensed properties and MEGA BLOKS Preschool products. The 18% decrease in American Girl gross sales was due to lower licensing income and initial sales in the prior year through external distribution channels. Of the 13% decrease in Fisher-Price Friends gross sales, 14% was due to lower sales of Thomas & Friends products.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales was 59.5% in the first nine months of 2017, as compared to 53.3% in the first nine months of 2016. Cost of sales increased by $16.1 million, or 1%, to $1.95 billion in the first nine months of 2017 from $1.93 billion in the first nine months of 2016, as compared to a 10% decrease in net sales. Within cost of sales, freight and logistics expenses increased by $24.5 million, or 12%, to $233.8 million in the first nine months of 2017 from $209.3 million in the first nine months of 2016; royalty expense increased by $7.7 million, or 5%, to $155.7 million in the first nine months of 2017 from $148.0 million in the first nine months of 2016; product and other costs decreased by $16.1 million, or 1%, to $1.56 billion in the first nine months of 2017 from $1.57 billion in the first nine months of 2016.
Gross Margin
Gross margin decreased to 40.5% in the first nine months of 2017 from 46.7% in the first nine months of 2016. The decrease in gross margin was due to unfavorable product mix, higher freight and logistics expenses, lower licensing income, and an unfavorable impact from Toys “R” Us filing for bankruptcy. As a result of the Toys “R” Us net sales reversal, gross margin includes the cost of sales for the inventory sold, but excludes the corresponding net sales.
Advertising and Promotion Expenses
Advertising and promotion expenses primarily consist of: (i) media costs, which primarily include the media, planning, and buying fees for television, print, and online advertisements, (ii) non-media costs, which primarily include commercial and website production, merchandising, and promotional costs, (iii) retail advertising costs, which primarily include consumer direct catalogs, newspaper inserts, fliers, and mailers, and (iv) generic advertising costs, which primarily include trade show costs. Advertising and promotion expenses as a percentage of net sales increased slightly to 10.7% in the first nine months of 2017 from 10.6% in the first nine months of 2016.
Other Selling and Administrative Expenses
Other selling and administrative expenses were $1.07 billion, or 32.6% of net sales, in the first nine months of 2017, as compared to $1.05 billion, or 29.0% of net sales, in the first nine months of 2016. The increase in other selling and administrative expenses was primarily due to asset impairments of approximately $15 million and higher employee-related costs of approximately $15 million, partially offset by lower severance and restructuring expenses of approximately $12 million.
Other Non-Operating Expense
Other non-operating expense was $5.9 million in the first nine months of 2017, as compared to $23.3 million in the first nine months of 2016. The decrease in other non-operating expense was primarily due to the change in the remeasurement rate used by Mattel's Venezuelan subsidiary in 2016, which resulted in an unrealized foreign currency exchange loss of approximately $26 million in the first quarter of 2016.
Provision for Income Taxes
Mattel’s provision for income taxes was $614.4 million and $26.6 million in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively. Mattel recognized net discrete tax expense of $558.8 million in the first nine months of 2017 primarily related to a non-cash charge of $561.9 million resulting from the establishment of a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets that will likely not be realized and net discrete tax benefits of $12.8 million in the first nine months 2016 primarily related to reassessments of prior years’ tax liabilities based on the status of audits and tax filings in various jurisdictions around the world.
39

North America Segment
The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s gross sales by brand for the North America segment for the first nine months of 2017 and 2016:

| For the Nine Months Ended |  | % Change as Reported |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |
| (In millions, except percentage information)
Mattel Girls & Boys Brands: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Barbie | $ | 285.6 |  |  | $ | 327.7 |  |  | -13 | % |  | — | %
Other Girls | 73.5 |  |  | 154.4 |  |  | -52 | % |  | — | %
Wheels | 256.5 |  |  | 294.4 |  |  | -13 | % |  | — | %
Entertainment | 330.7 |  |  | 356.9 |  |  | -7 | % |  | — | %
| 946.3 |  |  | 1,133.4 |  |  | -17 | % |  | — | %
Fisher-Price Brands: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Core Fisher-Price | 449.0 |  |  | 515.7 |  |  | -13 | % |  | — | %
Fisher-Price Friends | 135.6 |  |  | 168.3 |  |  | -19 | % |  | — | %
Other Fisher-Price | 59.5 |  |  | 77.5 |  |  | -23 | % |  | — | %
| 644.1 |  |  | 761.5 |  |  | -15 | % |  | — | %
Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands | 109.7 |  |  | 170.1 |  |  | -36 | % |  | — | %
Other | 8.8 |  |  | 12.1 |  |  |  |  |
Total Gross Sales | $ | 1,708.9 |  |  | $ | 2,077.1 |  |  | -18 | % |  | — | %
Sales Adjustments | (88.0 | ) |  | (123.0 | ) |  |  |  |
Total Net Sales | $ | 1,620.9 |  |  | $ | 1,954.1 |  |  | -17 | % |  | — | %

Gross sales for the North America segment were $1.71 billion in the first nine months of 2017, a decrease of $368.2 million, or 18%, as compared to $2.08 billion in the first nine months of 2016. The decrease in the North America segment gross sales was primarily due to lower sales of Other Girls, Construction and Arts & Crafts, Fisher-Price Friends, Core Fisher-Price, Wheels, and Barbie products. As a result Toys “R” Us filing for bankruptcy, Mattel reversed approximately $47 million of gross sales in the third quarter of 2017. In addition, Mattel began to reduce shipping to Toys “R” Us in early September, which resulted in a loss of revenue in the third quarter of 2017. Of the 52% decrease in Other Girls gross sales, 37% was due to lower sales of Monster High products and 15% was due to lower sales of Ever After High products. Of the 36% decrease in Construction and Arts & Crafts gross sales, 32% was due to lower sales of MEGA BLOKS products, primarily driven by licensed properties and MEGA BLOKS Preschool products. Of the 19% decrease in Fisher-Price Friends gross sales, 19% was due to lower sales of Thomas & Friends products. Of the 13% decrease in Core Fisher-Price gross sales, 8% was due to lower sales of infant products and 3% was due to lower sales of Imaginext products. Of the 13% decrease in Wheels gross sales, 8% was due to lower sales of Hot Wheels products and 4% was due to lower sales of Matchbox products. The 13% decrease in Barbie gross sales was due to a shift in DVD entertainment strategy.
Cost of sales decreased 6% in the first nine months of 2017, as compared to a 17% decrease in net sales, primarily due to lower product and other costs, partially offset by higher freight and logistics expenses. Gross margin in the first nine months of 2017 decreased due to an unfavorable impact from Toys “R” Us filing for bankruptcy, higher freight and logistics expenses, and unfavorable product mix. As a result of the Toys “R” Us net sales reversal, gross margin includes the cost of sales for the inventory sold, but excludes the corresponding net sales.
North America segment income decreased to $109.6 million in the first nine months of 2017, as compared to $371.1 million in the first nine months of 2016, primarily due to lower gross profit and higher other selling and administrative expenses, partially offset by lower advertising and promotion expenses.
40

International Segment
The following table provides a summary of percentage changes in net sales within the International segment in the first nine months of 2017 versus 2016:

| % Change in Net Sales as Reported |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact
Total International Segment | 2 | % |  | — | %
Europe | -2 | % |  | — | %
Latin America | 5 | % |  | 2 | %
Asia Pacific | 10 | % |  | -1 | %

The following table provides a summary of percentage changes in gross sales within the International segment in the first nine months of 2017 versus 2016:

| % Change in Gross Sales as Reported |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact
Total International Segment | 1 | % |  | — | %
Europe | -3 | % |  | — | %
Latin America | 4 | % |  | 2 | %
Asia Pacific | 8 | % |  | -1 | %

The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s gross sales by brand for the International segment for the first nine months of 2017 and 2016:

| For the Nine Months Ended |  | % Change as Reported |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |
| (In millions, except percentage information)
Mattel Girls & Boys Brands: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Barbie | $ | 319.6 |  |  | $ | 323.6 |  |  | -1 | % |  | 1 | %
Other Girls | 121.2 |  |  | 150.0 |  |  | -19 | % |  | 2 | %
Wheels | 306.8 |  |  | 284.6 |  |  | 8 | % |  | 1 | %
Entertainment | 324.1 |  |  | 251.0 |  |  | 29 | % |  | — | %
| 1,071.7 |  |  | 1,009.2 |  |  | 6 | % |  | 1 | %
Fisher-Price Brands: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Core Fisher-Price | 345.6 |  |  | 354.4 |  |  | -2 | % |  | 1 | %
Fisher-Price Friends | 152.8 |  |  | 162.5 |  |  | -6 | % |  | -2 | %
Other Fisher-Price | 1.0 |  |  | 2.0 |  |  |  |  |
| 499.4 |  |  | 518.9 |  |  | -4 | % |  | -1 | %
Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands | 65.9 |  |  | 82.7 |  |  | -20 | % |  | 1 | %
Other | — |  |  | 3.4 |  |  |  |  |
Total Gross Sales | $ | 1,637.0 |  |  | $ | 1,614.2 |  |  | 1 | % |  | — | %
Sales Adjustments | (221.6 | ) |  | (233.2 | ) |  |  |  |
Total Net Sales | $ | 1,415.4 |  |  | $ | 1,381.0 |  |  | 2 | % |  | — | %

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Gross sales for the International segment were $1.64 billion in the first nine months of 2017, an increase of $22.8 million, or 1%, as compared to $1.61 billion in the first nine months of 2016. The increase in the International segment gross sales was primarily due to higher sales of Entertainment products, partially offset by lower sales of Construction and Arts & Crafts and Other Girls products. Of the 29% increase in Entertainment gross sales, 46% was due to higher sales of CARS products, partially offset by lower sales of DC Comics products of 7%, lower sales of Minecraft products of 3%, and lower sales of Max Steel and WWE products of 2% each. Of the 20% decrease in Construction and Arts & Crafts gross sales, 20% was due to lower sales of MEGA BLOKS products, primarily driven by licensed properties and MEGA BLOKS Preschool products. Of the 19% decrease in Other Girls gross sales, 23% was due to lower sales of Monster High products and 10% was due to lower sales of Ever After High products, partially offset by initial sales of Enchantimals products of 11%.
Cost of sales increased 6% in the first nine months of 2017, as compared to a 2% increase in net sales, primarily due to higher product and other costs and higher royalty expense. Gross margin in the first nine months of 2017 decreased as a result of unfavorable product mix, higher royalty expense, lower licensing income, and higher obsolescence expense, partially offset by strategic pricing.
International segment income decreased to $48.1 million in the first nine months of 2017, as compared to $155.9 million in the first nine months of 2016, driven primarily by lower gross profit and higher other selling and administrative expenses.
American Girl Segment
The following table provides a summary of Mattel’s gross sales by brand for the American Girl segment for the first nine months of 2017 and 2016:

| For the Nine Months Ended |  | % Change as Reported |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |
| (In millions, except percentage information)
American Girl Segment: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
American Girl Brands | $ | 234.2 |  |  | $ | 285.9 |  |  | -18 | % |  | — | %
Construction and Arts & Crafts Brands | 0.5 |  |  | — |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other Brands | 12.7 |  |  | 13.0 |  |  | -2 | % |  | 1 | %
Total Gross Sales | $ | 247.4 |  |  | $ | 298.9 |  |  | -17 | % |  | — | %
Sales Adjustments | (12.6 | ) |  | (11.7 | ) |  |  |  |
Total Net Sales | $ | 234.8 |  |  | $ | 287.2 |  |  | -18 | % |  | — | %

Gross sales for the American Girl segment were $247.4 million in the first nine months of 2017, a decrease of $51.5 million, or 17%, as compared to $298.9 million in the first nine months of 2016. The decrease in the American Girl segment gross sales was primarily due to lower sales of American Girl brands products. The 18% decrease in American Girl brands gross sales was due to lower licensing income and initial sales in the prior year through external distribution channels.
Cost of sales decreased 2% in the first nine months of 2017, as compared to an 18% decrease in net sales. Gross margin in the first nine months of 2017 decreased as a result of lower licensing income and higher obsolescence expense.
American Girl segment loss was $38.6 million in the first nine months of 2017, as compared to segment income of $21.9 million in the first nine months of 2016, driven primarily by lower gross profit, lower licensing income, and higher other selling and administrative expenses.
Income Taxes
Mattel’s provision for income taxes was $614.4 million and $26.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Mattel recognized net discrete non-cash tax expense of $561.5 million and $558.8 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and net discrete tax benefits of $9.0 million and $12.8 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, primarily related to the establishment of a valuation allowance and reassessments of prior years’ tax liabilities based on the status of audits and tax filings in various jurisdictions around the world, respectively.
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Mattel regularly assesses the need for a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. In making that assessment, Mattel considers both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood of realization of the deferred tax assets to determine, based on the weight of available evidence, whether it is more-likely-than-not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, Mattel considered its recent operating results which resulted in a cumulative net operating loss in the U.S. for the 36-month period ending September 30, 2017. The 36-month cumulative U.S. loss from operations is considered strong negative evidence and outweighs other positive subjective evidence, such as projections of future income. As a result, in the third quarter Mattel established a valuation allowance on its U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets. This results in a discrete non-cash charge to the quarter of $561.9 million for the balance of these net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2016. Further, Mattel has provided zero tax benefit in the year-to-date tax expense for items such as the year-to-date U.S. operating loss and other effects occurring in the current year. The valuation allowance does not impact Mattel's actual ability under applicable tax laws to utilize deferred tax assets such as loss carryforwards and tax credits to reduce future cash tax payments if and when sufficient income is earned prior to the expiration of the deferred tax assets. Mattel will continue to assess the likelihood that the deferred tax assets will be realizable at each period end.
In the normal course of business, Mattel is regularly audited by federal, state, and foreign tax authorities. Based on the current status of federal, state, and foreign audits, Mattel believes it is reasonably possible that in the next twelve months, the total unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by approximately $27 million related to the settlement of tax audits and/or the expiration of statutes of limitations. The ultimate settlement of any issue with the applicable taxing authority could have a material impact on Mattel’s consolidated financial statements.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Mattel’s primary sources of liquidity are its cash and equivalents balances, access to short-term borrowing facilities, including its $1.60 billion domestic unsecured committed revolving credit facility (“Credit Facility”), commercial paper program, and issuances of long-term debt securities. Cash flows from operating activities could be negatively impacted by decreased demand for Mattel’s products, which could result from factors such as adverse economic conditions and changes in public and consumer preferences, or by increased costs associated with manufacturing and distribution of products or shortages in raw materials or component parts. Additionally, Mattel’s ability to issue long-term debt and obtain seasonal financing could be adversely affected by factors such as global economic crises and tight credit environments, an inability to meet its debt covenant requirements, which include maintaining consolidated debt-to-earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization and interest coverage ratios, or a deterioration of Mattel’s credit ratings. Mattel’s ability to conduct its operations could be negatively impacted should these or other adverse conditions affect its primary sources of liquidity.
Of Mattel’s $181.3 million in cash and equivalents as of September 30, 2017, approximately $102 million is held by foreign subsidiaries. Mattel may need to accrue and pay additional income taxes if some or all of the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries were repatriated. Mattel does not foresee a need to repatriate undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries. Mattel has several liquidity options to fund its domestic operations and obligations; such obligations include investing and financing activities such as dividends, share repurchases, and debt service. Positive cash flows generated annually by its domestic operations, the Credit Facility, alternative forms of financing, and access to both long-term and short-term public and private debt markets at competitive interest rates are available to fund domestic operations and obligations. If these sources are not adequate, Mattel also has the ability to repatriate highly taxed foreign earnings, receive repayment of intercompany loans to foreign subsidiaries, and/or distribute liquidating dividends from foreign subsidiaries, all of which would have a very nominal impact, if any, on Mattel’s tax liabilities. Mattel believes that its policy to indefinitely reinvest the earnings of its foreign subsidiaries will not result in and is not reasonably likely to result in a material change to Mattel’s liquidity position.
In October 2017, Mattel's Board of Directors determined to suspend the Company's quarterly dividend beginning in the fourth quarter of 2017, which was previously $0.15 per share, in order to increase financial flexibility, strengthen the balance sheet, and facilitate strategic investments.
Current Market Conditions
Mattel is exposed to financial market risk resulting from changes in interest and foreign currency exchange rates. Mattel believes that it has ample liquidity to fund its business needs, including beginning of year cash and equivalents, cash flows from operations, and access to the commercial paper markets and its Credit Facility, which it uses for seasonal working capital requirements.
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Subject to market conditions, Mattel intends to utilize its commercial paper program as its primary short-term borrowing facility, and does not intend to sell commercial paper notes in excess of the available amount under the Credit Facility as described below. The Credit Facility is used as a back-up to Mattel’s commercial paper program. If, for any reason, Mattel is unable to access the commercial paper market, Mattel intends to use the Credit Facility or alternative forms of financing to meet its short-term liquidity needs. As of September 30, 2017, there were no amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2017, Mattel had borrowings of $732.6 million outstanding related to its commercial paper program. Mattel has not experienced any limitations on its ability to access this source of liquidity. Market conditions could affect certain terms of other debt instruments that Mattel enters into from time to time.
Mattel monitors the third-party depository institutions that hold the Company's cash and equivalents. Mattel’s emphasis is primarily on safety and liquidity of principal, and secondarily on maximizing the yield on those funds. Mattel diversifies its cash and equivalents among counterparties and securities to minimize risks.
Mattel is subject to credit risks relating to the ability of its counterparties in hedging transactions to meet their contractual payment obligations. The risks related to creditworthiness and nonperformance have been considered in the fair value measurements of Mattel’s foreign currency forward exchange contracts. Mattel closely monitors its counterparties and takes action, as necessary, to manage its counterparty credit risk.
Mattel expects that some of its customers and vendors may experience difficulty in obtaining the liquidity required to buy inventory or raw materials. Mattel monitors its customers’ financial condition and their liquidity in order to mitigate Mattel’s accounts receivable collectibility risks, and customer terms and credit limits are adjusted, if necessary. Additionally, Mattel uses a variety of financial arrangements to ensure collectibility of accounts receivable of customers deemed to be a credit risk, including requiring letters of credit, factoring, purchasing various forms of credit insurance with unrelated third parties, or requiring cash in advance of shipment. As a result of Toys “R” Us filing for bankruptcy in September 2017, Mattel reversed gross sales and accounts receivable of approximately $47 million, and reversed net sales of approximately $43 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017.
Mattel sponsors defined benefit pension plans and postretirement benefit plans for its employees. Actual returns below the expected rate of return, along with changes in interest rates that affect the measurement of the liability, would impact the amount and timing of Mattel’s future contributions to these plans.
Operating Activities
Cash flows used for operating activities were $740.1 million in the first nine months of 2017, as compared to $331.3 million in the first nine months of 2016. The cash flows used for operating activities increased primarily due to a higher net loss, excluding the impact of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, and higher working capital usage.
Investing Activities
Cash flows used for investing activities were $174.9 million in the first nine months of 2017, as compared to $204.7 million in the first nine months of 2016. The cash flows used for investing activities decreased primarily due to an increase in proceeds from foreign currency forward exchange contracts and payments related to Fuhu and Sproutling in 2016, partially offset by higher capital spending.
Financing Activities
Cash flows provided by financing activities were $213.7 million in the first nine months of 2017, as compared to cash flows used for financing activities of $43.2 million in the first nine months of 2016. The increase in cash flows provided by financing activities was primarily driven by higher net short-term borrowings, partially offset by proceeds from long-term borrowings in 2016.
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Seasonal Financing
Mattel maintains and periodically amends or replaces its domestic unsecured committed revolving credit facility with a commercial bank group. Subject to market conditions, Mattel intends to utilize its commercial paper program as its primary short-term borrowing facility, and does not intend to sell commercial paper notes in excess of the available amount under the Credit Facility as described below. The Credit Facility is used as a back-up to Mattel’s commercial paper program. If, for any reason, Mattel is unable to access the commercial paper market, Mattel intends to use the Credit Facility. Mattel is contemplating alternative financing to replace the Credit Facility on a longer-term basis, including an asset based credit facility. The agreement governing the Credit Facility was amended on June 15, 2017 to, among other things, increase the maximum allowed consolidated debt-to-consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (“consolidated EBITDA”) ratio that Mattel is required to maintain under the Credit Facility to 3.75 to 1 from 3.50 to 1 for the four consecutive quarters beginning with the second quarter of 2017. Additionally, the Credit Facility was amended on September 20, 2017 to remove the consolidated debt-to-consolidated EBITDA ratio requirement for the third fiscal quarter of 2017 and increase the consolidated debt-to-consolidated EBITDA ratio during a covenant modification period to 4.50 to 1.00 for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2017 and 4.25 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter thereafter. The covenant modification period commenced on September 20, 2017 and continues, at a minimum, through the fourth fiscal quarter of 2017 and thereafter until such time as Mattel (i) requests the termination of the covenant modification period, and (ii) delivers financial statements and a certificate to the lenders demonstrating a consolidated debt-to-consolidated EBITDA ratio of 3.75 to 1.00 or less for the period consisting of the preceding four consecutive fiscal quarters. The amendment further amends the Credit Facility to, among other items, (i) add certain restrictive covenants during the covenant modification period that include greater restrictions against certain receivable financing facilities, as well as restrictions on certain asset dispositions, burdensome agreements, and specified restricted payments, (ii) add a guarantee and lien trigger event that occurs if Mattel’s debt rating falls below certain thresholds, (iii) add covenants that require all U.S. material subsidiaries under the Credit Facility (other than foreign subsidiary holding companies) to become guarantors upon a guarantee and lien trigger event, and (iv) provide that after a guarantee and lien trigger event and before the termination of the covenant modification period, indebtedness under the Credit Facility in an amount not to exceed 10% of Mattel’s consolidated net tangible assets will be secured by pledges from Mattel and the guarantors of 100% of the equity of all U.S. subsidiaries (other than any foreign subsidiary holding company) and 66% of the equity of all first-tier foreign subsidiaries and foreign subsidiary holdings companies. Such guarantees and pledges, as well as the additional restrictive covenants, will be eliminated upon the termination of the covenant modification period.
The aggregate commitments under the Credit Facility remain at $1.60 billion, with an “accordion feature,” which allows Mattel to increase the aggregate availability under the Credit Facility to $1.85 billion under certain circumstances. In addition, applicable interest rate margins remain within a range of 0.00% to 0.75% above the applicable base rate for base rate loans and 0.88% to 1.75% above the applicable LIBOR for Eurodollar rate loans, and commitment fees range from 0.08% to 0.25% of the unused commitments under the Credit Facility, in each case depending on Mattel’s senior unsecured long-term debt rating.
Although the consolidated debt-to-consolidated EBITDA ratio was removed for the third quarter, Mattel is required to meet financial ratio covenants at the end of each quarter and fiscal year, using the formulae specified in the agreement governing the Credit Facility to calculate the ratios. Mattel was in compliance with its interest coverage ratio covenant at the end of the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Mattel’s interest coverage ratio was 6.19 to 1 (compared to a minimum required of 3.50 to 1) as of September 30, 2017.
The agreement governing the Credit Facility is a material agreement, and failure to comply with the financial ratio covenants may result in an event of default under the terms of the Credit Facility. If Mattel were to default under the terms of the Credit Facility, its ability to meet its seasonal financing requirements could be adversely affected. Furthermore, Mattel’s long-term debt agreements contain cross-default provisions which would result in an event of default if Mattel, among other items, fails to comply with the financial ratio covenants under the terms of the Credit Facility with outstanding borrowings in excess of $25 million. The Credit Facility is used as a back-up to Mattel’s commercial paper program. Mattel does not expect to have any outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility at the end of 2017.
To finance seasonal working capital requirements of certain foreign subsidiaries, Mattel avails itself of individual short-term credit lines with a number of banks. Mattel expects to extend the majority of these credit lines throughout 2017.
In July 2017, a major credit rating agency changed Mattel’s long-term credit rating to BBB-, changed its short-term credit rating to A-3, and changed its outlook to negative. Another major credit rating agency changed Mattel’s long-term credit rating to BBB. A reduction in Mattel’s credit ratings could increase the cost of obtaining financing.
Mattel believes its cash on hand, its foreign credit lines, and amounts available under its Credit Facility or alternative forms of financing will be adequate to meet its seasonal financing requirements in 2017.
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Financial Position
Mattel’s cash and equivalents decreased $688.2 million to $181.3 million at September 30, 2017, as compared to $869.5 million at December 31, 2016. The decrease was primarily due to higher working capital usage, dividend payments, and purchases of tools, dies, and molds and other property, plant, and equipment, partially offset by net proceeds from short-term borrowings and proceeds from foreign currency forward exchange contracts.
Accounts receivable increased $390.9 million to $1.51 billion at September 30, 2017, as compared to $1.12 billion at December 31, 2016, primarily due to the seasonality of Mattel's business. Accounts receivable decreased $22.7 million to $1.51 billion at September 30, 2017, as compared to $1.53 billion at September 30, 2016, primarily due to lower volume, including the impact of Toys “R” Us filing for bankruptcy, partially offset by a shift in the timing of sales in the US to later in the quarter. Inventory increased $376.2 million to $990.0 million at September 30, 2017, as compared to $613.8 million at December 31, 2016, primarily due to lower-than-expected sales volume in the first nine months of 2017, including the impact of Toys “R” Us filing for bankruptcy.
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities decreased $11.4 million to $1.28 billion at September 30, 2017, as compared to $1.29 billion at December 31, 2016. The decrease was primarily due to lower advertising and promotion accruals, partially offset by tighter management of vendor disbursements.
Noncurrent long-term debt decreased to $1.89 billion at September 30, 2017 from $2.13 billion at December 31, 2016 due to the reclassification of $250.0 million of 2013 Senior Notes due on March 15, 2018.
A summary of Mattel’s capitalization is as follows:

| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |  | December 31, 2016
| (In millions, except percentage information)
2010 Senior Notes | $ | 500.0 |  |  | 13 | % |  | $ | 500.0 |  |  | 10 | % |  | $ | 500.0 |  |  | 10 | %
2011 Senior Notes | 300.0 |  |  | 7 | % |  | 300.0 |  |  | 6 | % |  | 300.0 |  |  | 6 | %
2013 Senior Notes | 250.0 |  |  | 6 | % |  | 500.0 |  |  | 10 | % |  | 500.0 |  |  | 10 | %
2014 Senior Notes | 500.0 |  |  | 13 | % |  | 500.0 |  |  | 10 | % |  | 500.0 |  |  | 10 | %
2016 Senior Notes | 350.0 |  |  | 9 | % |  | 350.0 |  |  | 7 | % |  | 350.0 |  |  | 7 | %
Debt issuance costs | (13.6 | ) |  | — | % |  | (16.5 | ) |  | — | % |  | (15.7 | ) |  | — | %
Total noncurrent long-term debt | 1,886.4 |  |  | 48 | % |  | 2,133.5 |  |  | 43 | % |  | 2,134.3 |  |  | 43 | %
Other noncurrent liabilities | 576.3 |  |  | 15 | % |  | 454.4 |  |  | 9 | % |  | 446.1 |  |  | 9 | %
Stockholders’ equity | 1,439.7 |  |  | 37 | % |  | 2,415.4 |  |  | 48 | % |  | 2,407.8 |  |  | 48 | %
| $ | 3,902.4 |  |  | 100 | % |  | $ | 5,003.3 |  |  | 100 | % |  | $ | 4,988.2 |  |  | 100 | %

Mattel’s debt-to-total capital ratio, including short-term borrowings and the current portion of long-term debt, increased from 50.2% at September 30, 2016 to 66.6% at September 30, 2017 as a result of higher debt and lower stockholders’ equity.
Litigation
See Item 1 “Financial Statements—Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Contingencies” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
During the third quarter of 2017, Mattel elected to early adopt of ASU 2017-04 Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to the excess, limited by the amount of goodwill in that reporting unit.
In determining the fair value for each of its reporting units, Mattel’s quantitative analysis contemplates both the income approach and the market approach. The income approach utilizes a discounted cash flow analysis based on what the business is forecasted to generate in the future. The market approach utilizes earnings multiples of comparable public companies, which are reflective of the market in which each respective reporting unit operates, and recent comparable market transactions.
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In the third quarter of 2017, Mattel performed its annual impairment tests and determined that goodwill was not impaired since each reporting unit's fair value exceeded its carrying value. The fair value of the North America and American Girl reporting units were substantially in excess of their carrying value.
Mattel’s International reporting unit was deemed to be at risk of failing the goodwill impairment test. The estimated fair value was approximately 1.39x its carrying value. Based on year-to-date performance and business outlook, the International reporting unit has achieved lower-than-expected earnings resulting in a downward revision of future years’ forecasts. The International reporting unit did not meet its forecasts due to lower-than-expected sales growth, primarily driven by a net sales decline in Europe, and gross margin decline, driven by unfavorable product mix. The valuation model assumes incremental growth in sales and gross margin from current levels. If Mattel is unable to successfully execute its plans in international markets to achieve further growth in emerging markets, improve gross margin, market demand is below expectations, or the value of our common stock decreases, goodwill may be impaired.
Other than the early adoption of ASU 2017-04, Mattel’s critical accounting policies and estimates did not materially change during the first nine months of 2017, and are included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Item 1 “Financial Statements—Note 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—New Accounting Pronouncements” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement the financial results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), Mattel presents certain non-GAAP financial measures within the meaning of Regulation G promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The non-GAAP financial measures that Mattel presents include currency exchange rate impact and gross sales. Mattel uses these metrics to analyze its continuing operations and to monitor, assess, and identify meaningful trends in its operating and financial performance. Mattel believes that the disclosure of non-GAAP financial measures provides useful supplemental information to investors to be able to better evaluate ongoing business performance and certain components of the Company's results. These measures are not, and should not be viewed as, substitutes for GAAP financial measures and may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures used by other companies.
Currency Exchange Rate Impact
The currency exchange rate impact reflects the portion (expressed as a percentage) of changes in Mattel's reported results that are attributable to fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
For entities reporting in currencies other than the US dollar, Mattel calculates the percentage change of period-over-period results at constant currency exchange rates (established as described below) by translating current period and prior period results using these rates. It then determines the currency exchange rate impact percentage by calculating the difference between the percentage change at such constant currency exchange rates and the percentage change at actual exchange rates.
The consistent exchange rates are determined by Mattel at the beginning of each year and are applied consistently during the year. They are generally different from the actual exchange rates in effect during the current or prior period due to volatility in actual foreign exchange rates. Mattel considers whether any changes to the constant currency rates are appropriate at the beginning of each year. The exchange rates used for these constant currency calculations are generally based on prior year actual exchange rates.
Mattel believes that the disclosure of the percentage impact of foreign currency changes is useful supplemental information for investors to be able to gauge Mattel’s current business performance and the longer term strength of its overall business since foreign currency changes could potentially mask underlying sales trends. The disclosure of the percentage impact of foreign exchange allows investors to calculate the impact on a constant currency basis and also enhances their ability to compare financial results from one period to another.
Gross Sales
Gross sales represent sales to customers, excluding the impact of sales adjustments. Net sales, as reported, include the impact of sales adjustments, such as trade discounts and other allowances. Mattel presents changes in gross sales as a metric for comparing its aggregate, brand, and geographic results to highlight significant trends in Mattel’s business. Changes in gross
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sales are discussed because, while Mattel records the details of such sales adjustments in its financial accounting systems at the time of sale, such sales adjustments are generally not associated with brands and individual products, making net sales less meaningful. Because sales adjustments are not allocated to individual products, net sales are only presented on a consolidated and segment basis and not on a brand level.
Since sales adjustments are determined by customer rather than at the brand level, Mattel believes that the disclosure of gross sales by brand is useful supplemental information for investors to be able to assess the performance of its underlying brands (e.g., Barbie) and also enhances their ability to compare sales trends over time.
A reconciliation from Mattel's consolidated net sales to its consolidated gross sales is as follows:

| For the Three Months Ended |  | % Change as Reported |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |
| (In millions, except percentage information)
Net sales | $ | 1,561.0 |  |  | $ | 1,795.6 |  |  | -13 | % |  | 1 | %
Sales adjustments | 149.2 |  |  | 179.8 |  |  |  |  |
Gross sales | $ | 1,710.2 |  |  | $ | 1,975.4 |  |  | -13 | % |  | 2 | %
| For the Nine Months Ended |  | % Change as Reported |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |
| (In millions, except percentage information)
Net sales | $ | 3,271.1 |  |  | $ | 3,622.3 |  |  | -10 | % |  | — | %
Sales adjustments | 322.2 |  |  | 367.9 |  |  |  |  |
Gross sales | $ | 3,593.3 |  |  | $ | 3,990.2 |  |  | -10 | % |  | — | %

A reconciliation from net sales to gross sales for the North America segment is as follows:

| For the Three Months Ended |  | % Change as Reported |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |
| (In millions, except percentage information)
Net sales | $ | 796.1 |  |  | $ | 1,003.6 |  |  | -21 | % |  | — | %
Sales adjustments | 43.2 |  |  | 67.4 |  |  |  |  |
Gross sales | $ | 839.3 |  |  | $ | 1,071.0 |  |  | -22 | % |  | — | %
| For the Nine Months Ended |  | % Change as Reported |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |
| (In millions, except percentage information)
Net sales | $ | 1,620.9 |  |  | $ | 1,954.1 |  |  | -17 | % |  | — | %
Sales adjustments | 88.0 |  |  | 123.0 |  |  |  |  |
Gross sales | $ | 1,708.9 |  |  | $ | 2,077.1 |  |  | -18 | % |  | — | %

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A reconciliation from net sales to gross sales for the International segment is as follows:

| For the Three Months Ended |  | % Change as Reported |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |
| (In millions, except percentage information)
Net sales | $ | 675.2 |  |  | $ | 665.9 |  |  | 1 | % |  | 2 | %
Sales adjustments | 101.8 |  |  | 108.3 |  |  |  |  |
Gross sales | $ | 777.0 |  |  | $ | 774.2 |  |  | — | % |  | 2 | %
| For the Nine Months Ended |  | % Change as Reported |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |
| (In millions, except percentage information)
Net sales | $ | 1,415.4 |  |  | $ | 1,381.0 |  |  | 2 | % |  | — | %
Sales adjustments | 221.6 |  |  | 233.2 |  |  |  |  |
Gross sales | $ | 1,637.0 |  |  | $ | 1,614.2 |  |  | 1 | % |  | — | %

A reconciliation from net sales to gross sales for the American Girl segment is as follows:

| For the Three Months Ended |  | % Change as Reported |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |
| (In millions, except percentage information)
Net sales | $ | 89.7 |  |  | $ | 126.1 |  |  | -29 | % |  | — | %
Sales adjustments | 4.2 |  |  | 4.0 |  |  |  |  |
Gross sales | $ | 93.9 |  |  | $ | 130.1 |  |  | -28 | % |  | — | %
| For the Nine Months Ended |  | % Change as Reported |  | Currency Exchange Rate Impact
| September 30, 2017 |  | September 30, 2016 |
| (In millions, except percentage information)
Net sales | $ | 234.8 |  |  | $ | 287.2 |  |  | -18 | % |  | — | %
Sales adjustments | 12.6 |  |  | 11.7 |  |  |  |  |
Gross sales | $ | 247.4 |  |  | $ | 298.9 |  |  | -17 | % |  | — | %

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
Currency exchange rate fluctuations impact Mattel’s results of operations and cash flows. Inventory transactions denominated in the Euro, Mexican peso, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Brazilian real, and Russian ruble are the primary transactions that caused foreign currency transaction exposure for Mattel. Mattel seeks to mitigate its exposure to market risk by monitoring its foreign currency transaction exposure for the year and partially hedging such exposure using foreign currency forward exchange contracts primarily to hedge its purchase and sale of inventory and other intercompany transactions denominated in foreign currencies. These contracts generally have maturity dates of up to 18 months. For those intercompany receivables and payables that are not hedged, the transaction gains or losses are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which the exchange rate changes as part of operating income or other non-operating income/expense, net based on the nature of the underlying transaction. Transaction gains or losses on hedged intercompany inventory transactions are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations in the period in which the inventory is sold to customers. In addition, Mattel manages its exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations through the selection of currencies used for international borrowings. Mattel does not trade in financial instruments for speculative purposes.
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Mattel’s financial position is also impacted by currency exchange rate fluctuations on translation of its net investments in subsidiaries with non-US dollar functional currencies. Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries with non-US dollar functional currencies are translated into US dollars at fiscal period-end exchange rates. Income, expense, and cash flow items are translated at weighted average exchange rates prevailing during the fiscal period. The resulting currency translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity. Mattel’s primary currency translation exposures during the first nine months of 2017 were related to its net investments in entities having functional currencies denominated in the Euro, British pound sterling, and Mexican peso.
There are numerous factors impacting the amount by which Mattel’s financial results are affected by foreign currency translation and transaction gains and losses resulting from changes in currency exchange rates, including, but not limited to, the level of foreign currency forward exchange contracts in place at a given time and the volume of foreign currency denominated transactions in a given period. There have been no material changes to the quantitative information about market risks as disclosed under Part II, Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in Mattel’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Venezuelan Operations
Since January 1, 2010, Mattel has accounted for Venezuela as a highly inflationary economy as the three-year cumulative inflation rate for Venezuela exceeded 100%. Accordingly, Mattel’s Venezuelan subsidiary uses the US dollar as its functional currency, and monetary assets and liabilities denominated in Venezuelan bolívar fuerte (“BsF”) generate income or expense for changes in value associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations against the US dollar. From January 2010 through January 2013, Mattel’s Venezuelan subsidiary used the Sistema de Transacciones con Títulos en Moneda Extranjera (“SITME”) rate, which was quoted at 5.30 BsF per US dollar as of December 31, 2012, to remeasure monetary assets and liabilities denominated in BsF. During February 2013, the Central Bank of Venezuela revised its official exchange rate to 6.30 BsF per US dollar and eliminated the SITME rate.
During March 2013, the Venezuelan government introduced a complementary currency exchange system, the Sistema Complementario de Administración de Divisas 1 (“SICAD 1”). SICAD 1 was intended to function as an auction system, allowing entities in specific sectors to bid for US dollars to be used for specified import transactions. During February 2014, the Venezuelan government introduced an additional currency exchange system, the Sistema Complementario de Administración de Divisas 2 (“SICAD 2”), which was expected to provide a greater supply of US dollars from sources other than the Venezuelan government and increase participation to all sectors and companies.
During February 2015, the Venezuelan government announced the launch of a new three-tiered currency exchange platform, which included a new exchange system called the Marginal Currency System (“SIMADI”). The first tier was used for food, medicine, agriculture, and other essential goods and used an official exchange rate of 6.30 BsF per US dollar. The second tier was a merger of the SICAD 1 and SICAD 2 systems, which held periodic auctions for entities in specific sectors. The third tier was the new SIMADI system, which was intended to be a market-driven exchange that allowed for legal trading of foreign currency based on supply and demand.
During March 2016, the Venezuelan government further revised its currency exchange platform to a dual system. The SICAD rate merged with the official exchange rate, becoming the new Tipo de Cambio Protegido (“DIPRO”) exchange rate, which was fixed at 10.00 BsF per US dollar. The existing SIMADI rate was renamed the Tipo de Cambio Complementario (“DICOM”) exchange rate. The DIPRO rate is used for essential imports, such as food and medicine, whereas the DICOM rate is used for all other transactions. During the first quarter of 2016, Mattel changed its remeasurement rate from the official exchange rate to the new DICOM exchange rate. The change in the remeasurement rate resulted in an unrealized foreign currency exchange loss of approximately $26 million, which was recognized in other non-operating expense/income, net in the consolidated statement of operations in the first quarter of 2016.
Mattel’s Venezuelan subsidiary represented less than 0.01% of Mattel’s consolidated net sales in the first nine months of 2017 and had approximately $1 million of net monetary assets denominated in BsF as of September 30, 2017. Venezuela currency matters, along with economic and political instability, continue to impact the operating results of Mattel’s Venezuelan subsidiary. If the Venezuelan bolívar fuerte significantly devalues in the future, or if the economic or political conditions significantly worsen, Mattel may consider ceasing operations of its Venezuelan subsidiary, which could result in a pre-tax charge to its consolidated statement of operations of up to $71 million.
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United Kingdom Operations
During June 2016, the referendum by British voters to exit the European Union (“Brexit”) adversely impacted global markets and resulted in a sharp decline of the British pound sterling against the US dollar. In February 2017, the British Parliament voted in favor of allowing the British government to begin the formal process of Brexit and discussions with the European Union began in March 2017. In the short-term, volatility in the British pound sterling could continue as the United Kingdom negotiates its anticipated exit from the European Union. In the longer term, any impact from Brexit on Mattel's United Kingdom operations will depend, in part, on the outcome of tariff, trade, regulatory, and other negotiations. Mattel's United Kingdom operations represented approximately 5% of Mattel's consolidated net sales in the first nine months of 2017.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of September 30, 2017, Mattel’s disclosure controls and procedures were evaluated, with the participation of Mattel’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to assess whether they are effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by Mattel in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to provide reasonable assurance that such information is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. Based on this evaluation, Margaret H. Georgiadis, Mattel’s principal executive officer, and Joseph J. Euteneuer, Mattel’s principal financial officer, concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2017.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the quarter ended September 30, 2017, Mattel made no changes to its internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
The content of Part I, Item 1 “Financial Statements—Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements—Contingencies” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety in this Item 1.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed under Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in Mattel’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Equity Securities
During the third quarter of 2017, Mattel did not sell any unregistered equity securities.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
This table provides certain information with respect to Mattel’s purchases of its common stock during the third quarter of 2017:

Period | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased (1) |  | Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit) |  | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs |  | Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (2)
July 1—31 | 167,334 |  |  | $ | 20.12 |  |  | — |  |  | $ | 203,016,273 |
August 1—31 | 289,305 |  |  | 19.56 |  |  | — |  |  | 203,016,273 |
September 1—30 | 48,922 |  |  | 15.39 |  |  | — |  |  | 203,016,273 |
Total | 505,561 |  |  | $ | 19.34 |  |  | — |  |  | $ | 203,016,273 |

____________________________________

(1) | The total number of shares purchased relates to 505,561 shares withheld from employees to satisfy minimum tax withholding obligations that occur upon vesting of restricted stock units. These shares were not purchased as part of a publicly announced repurchase plan or program.

(2) | Mattel’s share repurchase program was first announced on July 21, 2003. On July 17, 2013, the Board of Directors authorized Mattel to increase its share repurchase program by $500.0 million. At September 30, 2017, share repurchase authorizations of $203.0 million had not been executed. Repurchases under the program will take place from time to time, depending on market conditions. Mattel’s share repurchase program has no expiration date.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information.
None.
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Item 6. Exhibits.

|  |  |  | Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit No. |  | Exhibit Description |  | Form |  | File No. |  | Exhibit(s) |  | Filing Date
3.0 |  | Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Mattel, Inc. |  | 8-K |  | 001-05647 |  | 99.0 |  | May 21, 2007
3.1 |  | Amended and Restated Bylaws of Mattel, Inc. |  | 8-K |  | 001-05647 |  | 3.1 |  | January 30, 2017
4.0 |  | Specimen Stock Certificate with respect to Mattel, Inc. |  | 10-Q |  | 001-05647 |  | 4.0 |  | August 3, 2007
10.1 |  | Amendment No. 2 to Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 8, 2015, by and among Mattel, Inc., as Borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and Citibank N.A., as Co-Syndication Agents, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., MUFG Union Bank, N.A., and Royal Bank of Canada, as Co-Documentation Agents, and the other financial institutions party thereto |  | 8-K |  | 001-05647 |  | 10.1 |  | September 21, 2017
10.2+ |  | Letter Agreement between Mattel, Inc. and Kevin M. Farr, dated August 16, 2017, regarding his separation from the Company |  | 8-K |  | 001-05647 |  | 10.1 |  | August 18, 2017
10.3+ |  | Letter Agreement between Mattel, Inc. and Joseph J. Euteneuer, dated September 25, 2017, regarding an offer of employment for the position of Chief Financial Officer |  | 8-K |  | 001-05647 |  | 10.1 |  | October 3, 2017
10.4+ |  | Participation Letter Agreement under the Mattel, Inc. Executive Severance Plan B between Mattel, Inc. and Joseph J. Euteneuer, dated September 25, 2017 |  | 8-K |  | 001-05647 |  | 10.2 |  | October 3, 2017
12.0* |  | Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
31.0* |  | Certification of Principal Executive Officer dated October 26, 2017 pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
31.1* |  | Certification of Principal Financial Officer dated October 26, 2017 pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
32.0** |  | Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer dated October 26, 2017 pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
101.INS* |  | XBRL Instance Document |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
101.SCH* |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
101.CAL* |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
101.DEF* |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
101.LAB* |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
101.PRE* |  | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

______________________________________________

+ | Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
* | Filed herewith.
** | Furnished herewith. This exhibit should not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

| MATTEL, INC. Registrant
| By: |  | /s/ J OSEPH B. J OHNSON
|  |  | Joseph B. Johnson Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller (Duly authorized Officer and Chief Accounting Officer)

Date: October 26, 2017
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