Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 25, 2011

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hasbro, Inc. and all majority-owned subsidiaries ("Hasbro" or the "Company"). Investments representing 20% to 50% ownership interests in other companies are accounted for using the equity method.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and notes thereto. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the 2010 and 2009 consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2011 presentation.

Fiscal Year

Hasbro's fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in December. Each of the fiscal years in the three-year period ended December 25, 2011 were fifty-two week periods.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all cash balances and highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity to the Company of three months or less.

Marketable Securities

Marketable securities consist of investments in private investment funds. For these investments, which are included in prepaid and other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, the Company has selected the fair value option which requires the Company to record the unrealized gains and losses on these investments in the consolidated statements of operations at the time they occur.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Credit is granted to customers predominantly on an unsecured basis. Credit limits and payment terms are established based on extensive evaluations made on an ongoing basis throughout the fiscal year with regard to the financial performance, cash generation, financing availability and liquidity status of each customer. The majority of customers are formally reviewed at least annually; more frequent reviews are performed based on the customer’s financial condition and the level of credit being extended. For customers on credit who are experiencing financial difficulties, management performs additional financial analyses before shipping orders. The Company uses a variety of financial transactions, based on availability and cost, to increase the collectibility of certain of its accounts, including letters of credit, credit insurance, and requiring cash in advance of shipping.

The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts based on management’s assessment of the business environment, customers’ financial condition, historical collection experience, accounts receivable aging and customer disputes. When a significant event occurs, such as a bankruptcy filing by a specific customer, and on a quarterly basis, the allowance is reviewed for adequacy and the balance is adjusted to reflect current risk assessments.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Based upon a consideration of quantities on hand, actual and projected sales volume, anticipated product selling price and product lines planned to be discontinued, slow-moving and obsolete inventory is written down to its estimated net realizable value. At December 25, 2011 and December 26, 2010, finished goods comprised 94% and 96% of inventories, respectively.

Equity Method Investments

For the Company’s equity method investments, only the Company’s investment in and amounts due to and from the equity method investments are included in the consolidated balance sheet and only the Company’s share of the equity method investments’ earnings (losses) is included in the consolidated statement of operations. Dividends, cash distributions, loans or other cash received from the equity method investments, additional cash investments, loan repayments or other cash paid to the investee are included in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

The Company reviews its equity method investments for impairment on a periodic basis. If it has been determined that the fair value of the equity investment is less than its related carrying value and that this decline is other-than-temporary, the carrying value of the investment is adjusted downward to reflect these declines in value. The Company has one significant equity method investment, its 50% interest in a joint venture with Discovery Communications, Inc. See note 5 for additional information.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company’s long-lived assets consist of property, plant and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives as well as other intangible assets the Company considers to have a defined life.

Goodwill results from acquisitions the Company has made over time. Substantially all of the other intangibles consist of the cost of acquired product rights. In establishing the value of such rights, the Company considers existing trademarks, copyrights, patents, license agreements and other product-related rights. These rights were valued on their acquisition date based on the anticipated future cash flows from the underlying product line. The Company has certain intangible assets related to the Tonka and Milton Bradley acquisitions that have an indefinite life.

Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized and are tested for impairment at least annually. The annual test begins with goodwill and all intangible assets being allocated to applicable reporting units. Goodwill is then tested using a two-step process that begins with an estimation of fair value of the reporting unit using an income approach, which looks to the present value of expected future cash flows. The first step is a screen for potential impairment while the second step measures the amount of impairment if there is an indication from the first step that one exists. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested annually for impairment by comparing their carrying value to their estimated fair value, also calculated using the present value of expected future cash flows.

The remaining intangibles having defined lives are being amortized over periods ranging from five to twenty-five years, primarily using the straight-line method. At December 25, 2011, approximately 10% of other intangibles related to digital gaming rights which are being amortized in proportion to projected revenues.

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using accelerated and straight-line methods to depreciate the cost of property, plant and equipment over their estimated useful lives. The principal lives, in years, used in determining depreciation rates of various assets are: land improvements 15 to 19, buildings and improvements 15 to 25 and machinery and equipment 3 to 12. Depreciation expense is classified in the statement of operations based on the nature of the property and equipment being depreciated. Tools, dies and molds are depreciated over a three-year period or their useful lives, whichever is less, using an accelerated method. The Company generally owns all tools, dies and molds related to its products.

The Company reviews property, plant and equipment and other intangibles with defined lives for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset or asset group to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. If such assets were considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized would be measured by the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds their fair value. Fair value is determined based on discounted cash flows or appraised values, depending on the nature of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are carried at the lower of the net book value or their estimated fair value less disposal costs.

Financial Instruments

Hasbro's financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, short-term borrowings, accounts payable and certain accrued liabilities. At December 25, 2011, the carrying cost of these instruments approximated their fair value. The Company's financial instruments at December 25, 2011 also include long-term borrowings (see note 9 for carrying cost and related fair values) as well as certain assets and liabilities measured at fair value (see notes 9, 12 and 16).

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from product sales is recognized upon the passing of title to the customer, generally at the time of shipment. Provisions for discounts, rebates and returns are made when the related revenues are recognized.  The Company bases its estimates for discounts, rebates and returns on agreed customer terms and historical experience.

The Company enters into arrangements licensing its brands on specifically approved products. The licensees pay the Company royalties as products are sold, in some cases subject to minimum guaranteed amounts. Royalty revenues are recognized as they are reported as earned and payment becomes assured, over the life of the agreement.

The Company produces television programming for license to third parties. Revenues from the licensing of television programming are recorded when the content is available for telecast by the licensee and when certain other conditions are met.

Revenue from product sales less related provisions for discounts, rebates and returns, as well as royalty revenues and television programming revenues comprise net revenues in the consolidated statements of operations.

Costs of Sales

Cost of sales primarily consists of purchased materials, labor, manufacturing overheads and other inventory-related costs such as obsolescence.

Royalties

The Company enters into license agreements with inventors, designers and others for the use of intellectual properties in its products. These agreements may call for payment in advance or future payment of minimum guaranteed amounts. Amounts paid in advance are recorded as an asset and charged to expense as revenue from the related products is recognized. If all or a portion of the minimum guaranteed amounts appear not to be recoverable through future use of the rights obtained under license, the non-recoverable portion of the guaranty is charged to expense at that time.

Advertising

Production costs of commercials are expensed in the fiscal year during which the production is first aired. The costs of other advertising and promotion programs are expensed in the fiscal year incurred.

Program Production Costs

The Company incurs costs in connection with the production of television programming. These costs are capitalized by the Company as they are incurred and amortized using the individual-film-forecast method, whereby these costs are amortized in the proportion that the current year’s revenues bear to management’s estimate of total ultimate revenues as of the beginning of such period related to the program. These capitalized costs are reported at the lower of cost, less accumulated amortization, or fair value, and reviewed for impairment when an event or change in circumstances occurs that indicates that impairment may exist. The fair value is determined using a discounted cash flow model which is primarily based on management’s future revenue and cost estimates.

Shipping and Handling

Hasbro expenses costs related to the shipment and handling of goods to customers as incurred.  For 2011, 2010 and 2009, these costs were $173,028, $154,604 and $155,496, respectively, and are included in selling, distribution and administration expenses.

Operating Leases

Hasbro records lease expense in such a manner as to recognize this expense on a straight-line basis inclusive of rent concessions and rent increases. Reimbursements from lessors for leasehold improvements are deferred and recognized as a reduction to lease expense over the lease term.

Income Taxes

Hasbro uses the asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting of income taxes.  Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Deferred taxes are measured using rates expected to apply to taxable income in years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not such assets will be unrealized. Deferred income taxes have not been provided on the majority of undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries as the majority of such earnings are indefinitely reinvested by the Company.

The Company uses a two step process for the measurement of uncertain tax positions that have been taken or are expected to be taken in a tax return. The first step is a determination of whether the tax position should be recognized in the financial statements. The second step determines the measurement of the tax position. The Company records potential interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign currency assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at period-end exchange rates, and revenues, costs and expenses are translated at weighted average exchange rates during each reporting period. Earnings include gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions and, when required, translation gains and losses resulting from the use of the U.S. dollar as the functional currency in highly inflationary economies. Other gains and losses resulting from translation of financial statements are a component of other comprehensive earnings.

Pension Plans, Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits

Pension expense and related amounts in the consolidated balance sheet are based on actuarial computations of current and future benefits. The Company's policy is to fund amounts which are required by applicable regulations and which are tax deductible. In 2012, the Company expects to contribute approximately $5,800 to its pension plans. The estimated amounts of future payments to be made under other retirement programs are being accrued currently over the period of active employment and are also included in pension expense. Hasbro has a contributory postretirement health and life insurance plan covering substantially all employees who retire under any of its United States defined benefit pension plans and meet certain age and length of service requirements. The cost of providing these benefits on behalf of employees who retired prior to 1993 is and will continue to be substantially borne by the Company. The cost of providing benefits on behalf of substantially all employees who retire after 1992 is borne by the employee. It also has several plans covering certain groups of employees, which may provide benefits to such employees following their period of employment but prior to their retirement.  The Company measures the costs of these obligations based on actuarial computations.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has a stock-based employee compensation plan for employees and non-employee members of the Company's Board of Directors. Under this plan the Company may grant stock options at or above the fair market value of the Company’s stock, as well as restricted stock, restricted stock units and contingent stock performance awards. All awards are measured at fair value at the date of the grant and amortized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. For awards contingent upon Company performance, the measurement of the expense for these awards is based on the Company’s current estimate of its performance over the performance period. See note 13 for further discussion.

Risk Management Contracts

Hasbro uses foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate the impact of currency rate fluctuations on firmly committed and projected future foreign currency transactions. These over-the-counter contracts, which hedge future purchases of inventory and other cross-border currency requirements not denominated in the functional currency of the business unit, are primarily denominated in United States and Hong Kong dollars, and Euros and are entered into with a number of counterparties, all of which are major financial institutions. The Company believes that a default by a counterparty would not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company. Hasbro does not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

At the inception of the contracts, Hasbro designates its derivatives as either cash flow or fair value hedges. The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedge transactions.  All hedges designated as cash flow hedges are linked to forecasted transactions and the Company assesses, both at the inception of the hedge and on an on-going basis, the effectiveness of the derivatives used in hedging transactions in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the forecasted transaction. The ineffective portion of a hedging derivative, if any, is immediately recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company records all derivatives, such as foreign currency exchange contracts, on the balance sheet at fair value.  Changes in the derivative fair values that are designated as cash flow hedges and are effective are deferred and recorded as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Earnings (“AOCE”) until the hedged transactions occur and are then recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company's foreign currency contracts hedging anticipated cash flows are designated as cash flow hedges. When it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively. Any gain or loss deferred through that date remains in AOCE until the forecasted transaction occurs, at which time it is reclassified to the consolidated statements of operations. To the extent the transaction is no longer deemed probable of occurring, hedge accounting treatment is discontinued and amounts deferred would be reclassified to the consolidated statements of operations. In the event hedge accounting requirements are not met, gains and losses on such instruments are included currently in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company uses derivatives to economically hedge intercompany loans denominated in foreign currencies. The Company does not use hedge accounting for these contracts as changes in the fair value of these contracts are substantially offset by changes in the fair value of the intercompany loans.

The Company also uses interest rate swap agreements to adjust the amount of long-term debt subject to fixed interest rates. The interest rate swaps are matched with specific fixed rate long-term debt obligations and are designated as fair value hedges of the change in fair value of the related debt obligations. These agreements are recorded at their fair value as an asset or liability. Gains and losses on these contracts are included in the consolidated statements of operations and are wholly offset by changes in the fair value of the related long-term debt. These hedges are considered to be perfectly effective under current accounting guidance. The interest rate swap contracts are with a number of major financial institutions in order to minimize counterparty credit risk. The Company believes that it is unlikely that any of its counterparties will be unable to perform under the terms of the contracts.

Net Earnings Per Common Share

Basic net earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the year. Diluted net earnings per share is similar except that the weighted average number of shares outstanding is increased by dilutive securities, and net earnings are adjusted for certain amounts related to dilutive securities. Dilutive securities include shares issuable upon exercise of stock options for which the market price exceeds the exercise price, less shares which could have been purchased by the Company with the related proceeds. In addition, for the period that the Company’s convertible debt was outstanding, dilutive securities included shares issuable under such debt. Options totaling 1,851, 94 and 5,784 for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because to include them would have been antidilutive.

A reconciliation of net earnings and average number of shares for each of the three fiscal years ended December 25, 2011 is as follows:

	2011		2010		2009
	--------		--------		--------
	Basic	Diluted	Basic	Diluted	Basic	Diluted
	---------	---------	---------	---------	---------	---------
Net earnings	$ 385,367	385,367	397,752	397,752	374,930	374,930
Interest expense on contingent convertible debentures due 2021, net of tax	-	-	-	1,124	-	4,328
	----------	----------	----------	----------	----------	----------
Adjusted net earnings	$ 385,367	385,367	397,752	398,876	374,930	379,258
	======	======	======	======	======	======
Average shares outstanding	133,823	133,823	139,079	139,079	139,487	139,487
Effect of dilutive securities:
Contingent convertible debentures due 2021	-	-	-	3,024	-	11,566
Options and other share-based awards	-	2,874	-	3,567	-	1,727
	----------	----------	----------	----------	----------	----------
Equivalent shares	133,823	136,697	139,079	145,670	139,487	152,780
	======	======	======	======	======	======
Net earnings per share	$      2.88	2.82	2.86	2.74	2.69	2.48
	======	======	======	======	======	======

The net earnings per share calculations for each of the two fiscal years ended December 26, 2010 include adjustments to add back to earnings the interest expense, net of tax, incurred on the Company's senior convertible debentures due 2021, as well as to add back to outstanding shares the amount of shares potentially issuable under the contingent conversion feature of these debentures. During the first and second quarter of 2010, substantially all of these debentures were converted into shares of common stock with the remainder redeemed for cash. See note 9 for further information.