B. Riley Starts Hasbro (HAS) at Neutral

B. Riley initiates coverage on Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) with a Neutral rating and a price target of $111.00.

Analyst Linda Bolton Weiser is impressed with the company's evolution under CEO Brian Goldner into a true marketing company.

The company has a track record of successful execution, with 34% EBITDA growth in the last four years versus a 38% slide for peer Mattel, Weiser notes. It also has "unprecedented" line-up of entertainment drivers for Disney Princess, Star Wars, Transformers, Spider-Man and My Little Pony.

The firm sees 2017 sales growth of 8%, versus the consensus of 7% and said their $4.75 EPS estimate has upside surprise potential. That said, Weiser notes the Street has noted heeded management's warning that Q1 sales could fall year-over-year due to a hard Star Wars comp. The firm's Q1 EPS of $0.37 is below consensus of $0.42.

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Hasbro click here. For more ratings news on Hasbro click here.

Shares of Hasbro closed at $99.82 yesterday.

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