Jakks Pacific Inc

Jakks Pacific Inc. is continuing its buying binge, agreeing to acquire Toymax International in a $54-million cash-and-stock deal that will further expand the Malibu toy maker's line of products to include water toys and kites. Jakks announced the acquisition Saturday, kicking off the annual Toy Fair in New York. The company is expected to announce today a deal with Walt Disney Co. to create arts and crafts based on classic Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse among others.

Jakks Pacific Inc., which produces dolls based on World Wrestling Federation personalities, has bought Kidz Biz Ltd., a toy distributor based in the United Kingdom, for an undisclosed price. The Malibu-based company said the purchase is the first step in a planned international expansion. Jakks, which has the crafts and activities license for the Warner Bros. "Harry Potter" movies, has seen its stock price soar since last year's release of the first Potter movie.

Mattel Inc. and Jakks Pacific Inc. on Thursday reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings, bucking a depressed retail environment that worsened following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The two Southland-based toy companies' relative strength supports a long-held toy industry truism: When Americans cut spending in response to a rocky economic climate, they will continue to buy for their children.

Jakks Pacific Inc., a maker of toys, action figures and video games, has secured a $50-million line of credit for acquisitions. Shares of Jakks rose 55 cents to $17.10 on Monday on Nasdaq.

Jakks Pacific Inc., a maker of toys, action figures and video games, and News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox movie studio reached a licensing agreement for products related to the animated film "Ice Age." Terms weren't disclosed. Jakks' Flying Colors unit will make plush toys, action figures, lunch boxes and other items linked to "Ice Age," scheduled to be released in the spring, the companies said.

Toy maker Jakks Pacific Inc. ended an agreement to buy 21st Century Toys Inc., a maker of military action figures and accessories, after the two companies failed to agree on a price and other issues. Jakks, which is based in Malibu, didn't release details and would not comment on whether it will pay a termination fee. Jakks shares rose $1.10 to $20.95 on Nasdaq. Alameda, Calif.-based 21st Century Toys is privately held.

Jakks Pacific Inc. agreed to buy rival 21st Century Toys Inc., a maker of military action figures and accessories, under undisclosed terms. The Malibu-based company plans to combine 21st Century with its action toys division, which features Road Champs toy vehicles and World Wrestling Federation action figures. Alameda-based 21st Century, whose products include the Ultimate Soldier XD, America's Finest and the Villains, had sales of about $28 million last year. Jakks had $252.

Toy maker Jakks Pacific Inc. said Wednesday fourth-quarter profit fell a slightly less-than-expected 33% because of a resurgence in demand for World Wrestling Federation action figures. Net income fell to $6 million, or 32 cents a share, from $9 million, or 49 cents, a year earlier. Results beat the 27-cent average estimate of analysts polled by First Call/Thomson Financial. Sales dropped 5.4% to $59.1 million.