Mini-Case on HASBRO, INC. Nerf Wants to Take over Barbie Doll: The Case of HASBRO, INC. Based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the largest U.S. toymaker, Hasbro Inc., is engaged in a hostile takeover attempt of the second largest toymaker, Mattel Inc., based in El Segundo, California. Mattel is the maker of Barbie dolls, American Girl dolls, and Fisher-Price and Hot Wheels toys. But Mattel has been losing money and its market value has dropped to less than $5 billion, whereas Hasbro is valued at about $11 billion. Hasbro has brands such as Nerf, Transformers, and My Little Pony. Hasbros stock has gained 18 percent on the year to $92, whereas Mattels stock has declined 47 percent on the year to $14. Hasbro owns no toy factories, but Mattel does own its factories. Hasbro has forged close ties to Hollywood by producing movies and creating toys tied to movies, even having toys now tied to Disneys Star Wars and Princess characters. A problem for toy makers is that Toys R Us has closed all stores and Lego AS just cut 8 percent of its global staff. A few years ago Mattel was trying to buy Hasbro but the firms fortunes have changed place. Even if Hasbro and Mattel merge, the combined company would control about 35 percent of the U.S. market and 22 percent of global toy sales. In some categories however, such as model vehicles, which includes Mattels Hot Wheels, the combined firm would control 62 percent of the U.S. market. Mattel recently suspended its dividend payments to shareholders to stay financially solvent; credit rating firms are downgrading Mattel even as the firm tries to secure more debt financing. Questions How much is Hasbro worth today compared to the $11 billion figure in late 2017? How much is Mattel worth today compared to the $5 billion figure in late 2017? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of these two firms combining? Assess the extent that antitrust regulators would approve a combination of the industrys two biggest players.