Hasbro, Inc. (HAS) shares pushed higher Wednesday, powered by a double dose of good news: an analyst price target bump and a flashy new entertainment partnership that has investors feeling nostalgic.
The toy giant is teaming up with Amazon.com, Inc.'s (AMZN) Amazon MGM Studios on what could be a significant franchise play.
Analyst Confidence Grows
Roth Capital analyst Eric Handler maintained his Buy rating on Hasbro while lifting his price target from $96 to $105. The upgrade reflects strengthening momentum across the company's key franchises, suggesting that Hasbro's portfolio strategy is finally gaining traction.
Voltron Returns, This Time With Merchandise
Hasbro announced a licensing partnership with Amazon MGM Studios to create merchandise for an upcoming live-action Voltron film. The company will develop toys, action figures, and roleplay products tied to the movie—exactly the kind of synergy that makes entertainment licensing valuable.
The Voltron brand fits neatly into Hasbro's sweet spot. Management highlighted how the franchise aligns with their existing stable of iconic 1980s properties.
"Voltron's long and rich history strategically aligns with our portfolio of iconic 80s brands," said Tim Kilpin, president of toy, licensing and entertainment. "Our collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios will further strengthen the franchise's longevity and unlock new opportunities to engage both longtime fans and new audiences alike," Kilpin added.
The film is directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber, who also contributed to the story and screenplay alongside Ellen Shanman. The cast includes Henry Cavill, Sterling K. Brown, Alba Baptista, and Rita Ora. Producers include Todd Lieberman of Hidden Pictures and David Hoberman of Hobie Films.
Monetizing Intellectual Property
This deal represents another step in Hasbro's broader strategy of extracting value from intellectual property across film, television, and consumer products. It's the playbook that's worked for the company with other franchises, and they're betting Voltron can deliver similar results.
The market seems to agree. Hasbro shares have surged more than 60% over the past year, according to market data. Investors seeking diversified exposure can track Hasbro through the iShares Large Cap Core Active ETF (BLCR).
HAS Price Action: Hasbro shares were up 1.43% at $96.01 at the time of publication Wednesday, hitting a new 52-week high.