Mattel shares slip as investor urges strategic review

By Neil J Kanatt

Oct 6 (Reuters) - Mattel's shares fell about 3% on Tuesday after investor Ariel Investments urged the toymaker to explore strategic alternatives, including a sale, merger or major asset divestiture.

The move adds to mounting pressure on Mattel, which last week announced the departure of chief executive Yvon Kreiz, with the company since attracting fresh takeover interest.

Here are more details:

• Ariel, which owns a 5.4% stake, said in a letter that Mattel's shares remain significantly undervalued and that its portfolio could appeal to other toy companies, entertainment companies and private equity firms.

• Last week, Authentic Brands, whose portfolio includes Reebok, Brooks Brothers and Guess, approached Mattel about a potential acquisition valuing the company at about $6 billion or more, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

• This is the second time this year an investor has pushed for a strategic review. In May, investor Southeastern Asset Management urged the company to evaluate options including going private or pursuing a sale to Hasbro or a media company.

• Mattel, which has faced pressure from weakening toy demand and higher tariff-related costs in recent years, said it would "consider the views expressed in Ariel Investments' letter" while "acting in the best interests of all shareholders."

• "The debate increasingly comes down to whether Mattel's brands are worth more inside Mattel or in someone else's hands. Investors will want evidence that the whole company is worth more than the sum of its parts," said Brian Jacobsen, Chief Economic Strategist, Annex Wealth Management.

• Mattel, which is currently trading at $15.65, has a forward price-to-earnings multiple of 10.45, compared with 14.35 for Hasbro, according to data compiled by LSEG.

(Reporting by Neil J Kanatt in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)