Barbie problems.Barbie Barbie in full Barbara Millicent Roberts A plastic doll, 11.5 in. (29 cm) tall, with the figure of an adult woman that was introduced in 1959 by Mattel, Inc., a southern California toy company. Problems: Mattel Inc.'s debt rating was cut by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services as sales of Barbie products, the toymaker's largest and most profitable product line, continue to decline. The El Segundo-based company's credit rating was cut to the lowest level of investment grade of "BBB-" from "BBB BBB A medium grade assigned to a debt obligation by a rating agency to indicate an adequate ability to pay interest and repay principal. However, adverse developments are more likely to impair this ability than would be the case for bonds rated A and above. ," S&P said. Mattel had total debt of $625 million as of Dec. 31. "The action is based on Standard & Poor's concerns about the company's business fundamentals business fundamentals The general background within which an economy operates including earnings, sales, wage rates, taxes, and inflation. Improving business fundamentals are generally viewed as bullish for stocks, although stock prices at any given point and declining profitability, which outweigh the company's moderate debt leverage and good liquidity," said S&P credit analyst Hal F. Diamond in a statement. Matters business risk is increasing as a result of the continued decline in sales of Barbie due to its loss of market share to rival fashion doll Fashion dolls are dolls designed to be dressed and redressed to reflect fashion trends or occasionally fantasy play. The dolls are typically plastic or vinyl, and are manufactured both as toys and as collectibles. They are enjoyed by many age groups. Bratz, made by MGA Entertainment MGA Entertainment is a manufacturer of children's toys and entertainment products founded in 1997. Its products include the Bratz fashion doll line. External links
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