Spin Master Teases 'PAW Patrol Academy' Digital Game

Spin Master has revealed more details about their upcoming PAW Patrol digital game, PAW Patrol Academy, during the company's Q4 2022 Earnings Call!

Announced under the working title PAW and Friends last August, PAW Patrol Academy is being developed by Spin Master's Originator team and will be the company's first in-house developed digital game based on the beloved preschool property.

The game will invite preschoolers to join missions, games and content designed to blend story and interactivity with educational and emotional learning.

PAW Patrol Academy is currently slated to launch during the fourth quarter of the year to coincide with the release of PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie, which is set to be released in theaters on September 29.

Update (7/7) - Spin Master has launched the official PAW Patrol Academy website, https://www.pawpatrolacademy.com, which offers more details about the app!

Heroic missions.

REAL educational content.

IT'S LEARNING UNLEASHED!

So many inspiring, interactive activities in one app

Why parents will love PAW Patrol Academy

A+ content with your child's best friends

A+ content featuring your child’s best friends

Rewarding challenges for the growing mind

Rewarding challenges for growing minds

Free-time while your kids learn

Well-earned free time for parents as kids learn

Free trial offer available

Free trial offer. Sign up today!

The app is also offering a free trial when the game launches for fans who sign up to the mailing list.

Spin Master has also launched official PAW Patrol Academy social media channels on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Spin Master also confirmed that PAW Patrol will have a series of specials throughout 2023 to commemorate the show's 10th anniversary.

Max Rangel, Global President, CEO and Director, Spin Master said: "[The] PAW franchise remained the #1 preschool toy property globally, both on a quarterly and yearly basis per Circana. PAW Patrol has accomplished what only a few preschool franchises have ever achieved to remain in the hearts and minds of kids and their families for more than a decade. Today, we believe the PAW Patrol franchise is stronger than ever, and we have a series of exciting activities planned in 2023 as we celebrate its 10th anniversary."

Rangel also teased the company's upcoming Rubble & Crew toy line, saying "many of you saw the toy line in our L.A. showroom in January, which centers around a construction play pattern."

PAW Patrol fans can stream full episodes of PAW Patrol, PAW Patrol: The Movie and PAW Patrol Live! At Home featuring "Race to the Rescue" on Paramount+. Try it FREE today at ParamountPlus.com.

More Nick: Star-Studded Voice Cast for 'PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie' Announced!

Originally published: March 10, 2023.

Additional source: Da3picMeat.

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Rubble & Crew: Nickelodeon Unveils First Look at First-Ever 'PAW Patrol' Spin Off

Nickelodeon has unveiled a first look at Rubble & Crew, the upcoming PAW Patrol spin-off which will focus on Rubble!

Nickelodeon has also announced that they'll be airing a PAWsome first look at the first-ever PAW Patrol spin-off during PAW Patrol's Bow Wow Big Night on Monday, November 21 starting at 7:00 p.m. (ET/PT), before the series premieres next year, to coincide with the property’s 10th anniversary and the release of the movie sequel PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie.

PAW Patrol fans can stream full episodes of PAW Patrol, PAW Patrol: The Movie and PAW Patrol Live! At Home featuring "Race to the Rescue" on Paramount+. Try it FREE today at ParamountPlus.com.

More Nick: Spin Master Preps 'PAW Patrol' 10th Anniversary Specials, Digital Game and 'Rubble and Crew' Spin Off!

Originally published: November 12, 2022.

Additional source.

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Spin Master Preps 'PAW Patrol' 10th Anniversary Specials, Digital Game and 'Rubble and Crew' Spin Off

The PAW Patrol are on a roll! Spin Master has unveiled some of their PAWsome plans for Nickelodeon's beloved CG-animated preschool series PAW Patrol during the company's Q2 2022 earnings call to investors!

PAW Patrol will be commemorating its 10th anniversary in 2023, and to celebrate, Spin Master will be producing a series of PAW Patrol specials!

Spin Master has also unveiled that the upcoming Rubble spin-off series is currently titled Rubble and Crew! The series, the first-ever PAW Patrol spin-off, is set to premiere in 2023 to coincide with the property’s 10th anniversary and the release of the movie sequel PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie.

Spin Master's Originator is currently working on a brand new PAW Patrol digital game called PAW and Friends!

Currently in its ninth season, PAW Patrol is a global award-winning, top-rated preschool series that follows a pack of heroic rescue pups—Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Skye, Rocky, Zuma, Everest and Tracker—who are led by a tech-savvy boy named Ryder. Together, they work hard to show the people of Adventure Bay that “no job is too big, no pup is too small!” The series features a curriculum that focuses on citizenship, social skills and problem-solving. The series is produced by Spin Master Entertainment. PAW Patrol was recently renewed for a 10th season (26 episodes), which will follow the PAW-some pack of pups on even more action-packed rescue missions and adventures--whether it’s deep in the unexplored regions of the jungle or out-of-this-world trouble in Adventure Bay.

PAW Patrol fans can stream full episodes of PAW Patrol, PAW Patrol: The Movie and PAW Patrol Live! At Home featuring "Race to the Rescue" on Paramount+. Try it FREE today at ParamountPlus.com.

More Nick: Nickelodeon Renews 'PAW Patrol' for Season 10; Announces Rubble Spinoff!

Originally published: August 01, 2022.

Original source: Seeking Alpha.

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Spin Master Announces Q2 And First Half 2022 Results

With a revenue increase of almost 30% in Q2 and 31.5% over the first half of 2022, Spin Master becomes the latest toy company to enjoy a strong start to the year.

Max Rangel, Spin Master’s Global president & CEO, commented: “We are very pleased with our strong revenue growth this quarter across all three creative centres amidst a shifting macroeconomic environment. Our Toy business continued to grow ahead of the industry with the strong performance of our diversified toy portfolio including innovative IP, evergreen franchise brands and popular licensed partnerships.”

Spin Master’s total Q2 revenue reached $506.3m, an increase of 29.6% from the $390.8m it achieved in the corresponding period last year. The healthy growth was primarily due to an increase in Toy revenue of 34.1%. In addition, Digital Games revenue increased by 9.2% and Entertainment revenue increased by 3.3%.

The $111.2m increase in Toy revenue was driven by growth in Pre-school and Dolls & Interactive, Wheels & Action, Activities, Games & Puzzles and Plush, although this was offset by a decline in Outdoor. Entertainment revenue increased by $0.9m as a result of higher distribution revenue related to the toyco's flagship series Paw Patrol, which airs on Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. channels globally.

Overall, first half revenue was $930.5m, an increase of 31.5%, driven by growth in Toy revenue of 35.5% and Digital Games revenue of 28.7%, offset by a decrease in Entertainment revenue of 7.0%, thanks to more in-app purchases for Toca Life World.

Max Rangel added: “Looking to the balance of the year, we remain confident in our ability to execute on our strategy of reimagining everyday play for children globally, powered by our deep expertise across Toys, Entertainment and Digital Games. We believe we are well positioned to manage through external market dynamics to deliver profitable growth and long-term shareholder value, while continuing to invest in growth initiatives.”

The company stated that it continues to expect 2022 Toy Gross Product Sales to increase low double digits compared to 2021, consistent with prior guidance issued back in May.

PAW Patrol fans can stream full episodes of PAW Patrol, PAW Patrol: The Movie and PAW Patrol Live! At Home featuring "Race to the Rescue" on Paramount+. Try it FREE today at ParamountPlus.com.

More Nick: Nickelodeon Renews 'PAW Patrol' for Season 10; Announces Rubble Spinoff!

Originally published: July 29, 2022.

Sources: Toy World Magazine, Kidscreen.

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Hasbro CEO Talks Power Rangers Performance So Far During Q1 2019 Earnings Conference Call

Hasbro's 2019 is off to a great start, as the toy and gaming company rebounds from the debris left by the closure of Toys "R" Us. That's great news for Power Rangers fans, as the company is now the overseer of the franchise, launching the new era with Power Rangers Beast Morphers, the 26th season of the long-running TV series. Now that the master toy license is officially in Hasbro's hands, Beast Morphers toys are starting to hit stores while their collector's line the Lightning Collection is set to hit store shelves very soon. Hasbro spoke about all their brands during their recent Quarter 1 2019 earnings call, and that included Power Rangers.

Hasbro CEO Brian Goldner was asked about how the initial shipments of Power Rangers products are performing, and despite the small sample size, the results are quite promising (via Seeking Alpha).

"Sure. Well, the launch of POWER RANGERS is starting in North America," Goldner said. "The line launch there. We had some products ship in Q1, but limited. It will roll out in the subsequent quarters, both in North America and around the world. I'm very pleased with the ratings of the new show. It's a ratings leader in its time slot. It's offering a very strong lead out. And Nickelodeon's been a very good partner and helping us to market the new series. The team has done a great job in producing this transition from Saban to our own studio has been seamless, and I give the team a lot of credit for producing such a high quality show that's really beloved by kids and improved in a number of ways from the last production. So we're, obviously, very excited about POWER RANGERS, not only for this year, 9 months, but for 2020 as we'll have a full year impact. So very good there."

Hasbro seems pleased with the show and the initial toys, and now the Lightning Collection is already making an impact in local stores. With the Gold Ranger making his debut in the show as well, the momentum seems to be moving in the right direction for the brand, and that's good news for everyone.

Beast Morphers stars Rorrie D. Travis (Devon/Red), Jacqueline Scislowski (Zoey/Yellow), Jasmeet Baduwalia (Ravi/Blue), Abraham Rodriguez (Nate), Liana Ramirez (Roxy), Colby Strong (Blaze), Cosme Flores (Ben), Kristina Ho (Betty), Kevin Copeland (Mayor Daniels), and James Gordon (Handyman), and you can check out the official description for Power Rangers Beast Morphers below.

"Set in the future, a secret agency combines a newly discovered substance called “Morph-X” with animal DNA to create the Power Rangers Beast Morphers team. The Rangers must fight off an evil sentient computer virus bent on taking over the source of all Ranger power, the Morphin Grid itself. Featuring never-before-seen leather suits and an all-new beast-themed arsenal (including dynamic new Zords), fans should get ready for a season full of secret ops and morphinominal fun."

Power Rangers Beast Morphers airs Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon USA.

Connect with Power Rangers: powerrangers.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

More Nick: Hasbro Announces New 'Power Rangers' Live Tour!

Original source: ComicBook.

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British Chancellor of the Exchequer Hails 'Peppa Pig' as Screen Industry Boosts UK Economy by £7.9bn

The British Chancellor of the Exchequer has hailed the economic power of Nick Jr. UK's Peppa Pig in response to a report that shows tax relief for the UK’s screen industry has boosted the economy by billions, reports PA Money News!

The animated preschool programme, along with productions such as blockbuster film Dunkirk and television series Game Of Thrones, has been cited by Philip Hammond as key to £2 billion in additional tax revenues generated by more than £600 million in Government-backed tax relief in 2016.

Film production tax relief has proved controversial in the past as it has been used by some wealthy people to legally reduce their tax bills. Some of the films have also flopped.

Total contribution to UK economy from screen industry tax reliefs (PA)

The new report, commissioned by the British Film Institute (BFI), shows that spending in the industry has doubled from £850.9 million in 2007 when the industry tax relief started, to a new record of £1.72 billion nine years later.

Tax breaks across content-creating industries in the UK – including film, high-end TV, special effects, video game production and animation – has also sparked a rapid rise in spending, according to the report.

Thousands of hours of work and billions in tax revenue have been recorded across screen industries, with film providing the biggest economic benefits.

Children’s television, which was added to the tax relief scheme three years ago, is yet to catch up with the rate of growth seen in other areas of the industry, and accounts for the smallest return on investment.

Mr Hammond said: “From TV shows like The Crown, to films like Darkest Hour, and animations like Peppa Pig, our creative industries are intrinsic to the rich cultural fabric of the UK.

“But they’re also an important part of a dynamic and diversified economy, and a key component of our great, global trading nation. That is why this government is committed to supporting our highly skilled and innovative creative industries through creative sector tax reliefs.

Direct spending on production (PA)

“I am confident that the creative industries will continue to grow, provide strong employment and be the face of British culture to the world in future years.”

The report, produced by analysts Olsberg SPI with Nordicity, examined film industry data from 2016.

Across the screen industry in that year, production reached a record total of £3.16 billion due to support from screen sector tax reliefs.

It is estimated that work hours produced by the boost in 2016 was the equivalent of creating 137,000 full-time jobs.

Programmes such as period dramas Poldark and Downton Abbey are credited in the report with driving £266 million from tourism in 2016.

British films with a “strong UK story”, such as the Harry Potter franchise and Kingsman, were cited as providing a £628 million boost from tourism.

Film claimed £343 million in tax relief for a record-breaking spend of £1.72 billion, and generated £619.7 million in direct tax revenues.

However, the report calculates the gross value added – the total contribution to the economy – which is estimated to be just over £5 billion, producing total tax revenues of £1.28 billion for UK film production.

When the gross value added is taken into account, the total economic boost provided by screen industries is estimated at £7.9 billion in 2016 – the highest on record.

Direct spending on production in 2016 (PA)

When the gross value added is taken into account, the total economic boost provided by screen industries is estimated at £7.9 billion – the highest on record.

Video game production in the UK produced £106.3 million in direct tax revenues from relief of £78.0 million in 2016. Its overall economic impact was £525 million, with around £156 million in tax revenues.

High-end television – including fantasy series Game Of Thrones and royal period drama The Crown – claimed £179.4 million of tax relief to generate £1.72 billion in 2016, yielding £466.1 million in tax revenues.

The tax relief scheme was introduced for high-end TV productions in 2013.

TV animation productions, such as the globally popular Peppa Pig and Bob The Builder, claimed £19.4 million in tax relief to drive a £355 million gross boost to the economy, the report claims. TV animation productions, such as the globally popular Peppa Pig and Bob The Builder, claimed £19.4 million in tax relief to drive a £355 million gross boost to the economy, the report claims. This produced £107 million in tax.

Lagging behind other sectors in the industry, children’s television only began receiving tax relief in 2015. From £12.2 million claimed, the sector managed to generate £30 million in tax, from an estimated £78 million put into the economy.

Amanda Nevill, CEO of BFI, said: “This new report endorses the huge part the government’s tax incentives play in our success story, creating a fiscal environment that’s boosting the economy, creating jobs and supporting our outstanding talent and infrastructure.”

Watch Peppa Pig on Nick Jr. and Milkshake!

More Nick: eOne Invites New UK Partners to Peppa Pig’s 15th Anniversary Celebrations!

Additional source: Wikipedia.

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Netflix To Allow Viacom Deal To Distribute Nickelodeon, BET And MTV Content To End In May 2013

The entertainment news website C21Media is reporting the Nickelodeon News in the following article that Netflix has announced in a letter to investors on Monday 22nd April 2013 that the on-demand Internet streaming media provider will allow its deal with Viacom expire at the end of May 2013, which will end an agreement that allows the US-based netcaster to distribute shows from Viacom's Nickelodeon, BET and MTV networks. However, talks are underway for Netflix to hang on to select Viacom shows, according to CEO Reed Hastings. "We are in discussions with them about licensing particular shows but have yet to conclude a deal," he wrote. Viacom noted in a separate statement that the company is in talks with "several parties, including Netflix" for distribution of its shows. Netflix also pointed out that they continue to do lots of other business with Viacom around the world, such as their exclusive Pay1 deal for Paramount titles in Canada:

Netflix to allow Viacom deal to end

Netflix will let its deal with Viacom expire at the end of May, ending an agreement that hands the US-based netcaster shows from Nickelodeon, BET and MTV.

Netflix revealed the move in a note to investors on Monday, upon posting improved earnings and subscription numbers for its first quarter.

Talks are underway for Netflix to hang on to some Viacom shows, according to CEO Reed Hastings. “We are in discussions with them about licensing particular shows but have yet to conclude a deal,” he wrote.

Viacom noted in a separate statement it is in talks with “several parties, including Netflix” for distribution of its shows.

Hastings said the subscription VoD service was turning away from the massive, multi-year deals that defined its start-up phase in favour of more selective, exclusive agreements – such as its recent pact with Warner Bros Television for shows including The Following and Revolution.

“Many of our earliest deals were with networks and cable networks and included some shows that have not proven successful,” said Hastings. “By dealing directly with producers of TV shows, we are better positioned to pick just those shows that we believe will work best, and secure rights that may be otherwise blocked by TV carriage and transmission deals.”

Viacom may well be happy to allow the deal to lapse. CEO Philippe Dauman has repeatedly been forced to defend its Netflix pact, which has been blamed for falling ratings at Nickelodeon, though the SpongeBob SquarePants net also has a relatively recent arrangement with Hulu. Hastings said the expiration would not dent the company’s family-friendly package.

“With all the recently added fresh programming from Disney, Cartoon Network, Hasbro’s The Hub and DreamWorks Animation, we have a great kids’ offering,” he wrote.

Netflix on Monday reported a profit of US$3m, compared with a loss of some US$5m for the same period last year. It gained two million subscribers in its home territory – the upswing credited in part to the debut of its exclusive political drama House of Cards in February.

Other originals are being rolled out this spring. The horror series Hemlock Grove debuted on April 19 and will be followed by the return of Arrested Development in May.

Sean Davidson
23-04-2013
©C21Media

TAGS: Financial results, SVoD
SHOWS: Arrested Development, Hemlock Grove, House of Cards
PEOPLE: Reed Hastings
COMPANIES: BET, MTV, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Viacom
COUNTRIES: US

Also, below is a extract from Netflix's note to investors, from The Wall Street Journal's technology news and insights blow, Digits:

As we continue to focus on exclusive and curated content, our willingness to pay for non-exclusive, bulk content deals declines. At the end of May we’ll be allowing our broad Viacom Networks VIAB -1.46% deal for Nickelodeon, BET, and MTV content to expire. We are in discussions with them about licensing particular shows but have yet to conclude a deal. We continue to do lots of other business with Viacom around the world, such as our exclusive Pay1 deal for Paramount titles in Canada.

You can read Netflix's investors note in full here on WSJ's Digits blog.

"Monster High" Grows While Mattel Misses Wall Street Expectations In Q4

From the children's entertainment and media news website Kidscreen:

Monster High grows while Mattel misses Wall Street expectations in Q4

Toyco [toy company] Mattel's 4Q net income fell 17%, due to the payment of US$137.8 million to cover compensation and punitive damages to MGA Entertainment to satisfy the judgement of ongoing litigation over the Bratz brand.

The El Segundo, California-based company earned US$306.5 million in the final quarter, compared to US$370.6 million over the same period last year. For the year, net sales were US$6.42 billion, representing a 2% growth over the previous year’s number. Revenue rose 5% to US$2.26 billion for the year, but missed Wall Street analysts expectations which were around $2.3 billion.

A bright spot for the company is the continued growth of the Monster High program. It is primarily responsible for the 5% bump in sales over last year for the Mattel Girls & Boys Brands business unit. The unit grossed US$1.41 billion, while Barbie sales were down 4% and the Wheels business, which includes Hot Wheels brand and Tyco R/C was down 1% from last year. Worldwide gross sales for the Entertainment sector were down 21%, due to a decrease in Cars 2 merchandise sales.

Last week, Mattel’s chief rival Hasbro also announced that its 4Q failed to meet expectations.

Tags: Bratz, financial reports, Mattel, Monster High

Wall Street Cautiously Optimistic About LeapFrog Q4

From All Things Digital:

Wall Street Cautiously Optimistic About LeapFrog Q4

With three out of four of the best-selling digital toys of the last year, LeapFrog is expected by Wall Street to announce solid fourth-quarter returns today (Wednesday 6th February 2013), buoyed by robust holiday sales. Analysts are looking for the Emeryville, Calif., educational toy company to earn 49 cents a share on revenue of $223 million in the period.

Strong Q4 earnings are typical, since LeapFrog usually has strong seasonal sales. This year, its LeapPad 2 sold out on Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us and Walmart at the full $99 price.

The performance is a small beacon of light in the overall flagging state of the toy sector, which is quickly shifting to digital products, such as the tablets that LeapFrog makes.

With an increasingly tech-savvy generation of children to satisfy, LeapFrog is in a comfortable position to focus on considerable expansion in 2013, particularly internationally. It recently inked deals with Viacom International Media Networks to expand its Nickelodeon content to overseas markets in the U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

LeapFrog will have to invest in substantial R&D in 2013, and it faces more competition, as other kid-centric tablets have flooded the market recently.

LeapFrog will announce its fourth-quarter results at 2 pm PT.

Tagged with: children, education, fourth quarter, LeapFrog, LeapPad 2, Mattel, Q4, toy

Also, from the Peninsula Press:

With three of nation’s top four digital toys, LeapFrog reports strong sales

The LeapPad 2 was one of the nation’s top-selling digital toys last year.

Thanks to the popularity of its educational products like the LeapPad 2 and Leapster GS, LeapFrog Enterprises (NYSE: LF) reported robust fourth quarter and year-end sales.

The Emeryville-based company had three out of the four best-selling digital toys last year and was dubbed the leader in educational entertainment by retail tracker, NPD Group. With an additional boost by healthy holiday sales, the toymakers posted consistently robust year-end results throughout 2012. Full 2012 net sales hit $581.3 million, up 28% from last year’s $455.1 million. The company reported year-end net income of $86.6 million, or $1.24 per diluted share, compared to $19.9 million, or 30 cents per share, for 2011.

For the eighth straight quarter, LeapFrog beat analyst expectations, Fourth quarter net sales were $244.7 million, a 16 percent increase from $210.2 million this time last year. The company also reported net income of $62.3 million, or 89 cents per share, compared to $32.8 million, or 49 cents per share, for the same period a year ago. Excluding one-time charges for deferred tax assets, the company reported adjusted earnings of 60 cents per share. Analysts had expected returns of 48 cents per share.

Strong earnings are typical for the fourth quarter, since LeapFrog usually has strong seasonal sales. Despite Black Friday’s usual promotional pricing, the LeapPad 2 sold out on Amazon, Target, Toys “R” Us and Walmart at the full $99 price.

LeapFrog designs educational platforms for children. Its line of child-targeted tablets have been a hit on the market with the LeapPad 2, LeapPad Explorer and several other products among the top 10 toys sold in the U.S. last year. While LeapFrog faces increasing competition from other kid-friendly tablets, Chief Executive Officer John Barbour said he is confident in his products’ appeal.

“Most parents know that taking a cheap adult tablets putting a colorful rubber bumper around it and filling it with free, fuzzy apps and Wi-Fi access does not create a true learning experience that will significantly prepare children for a competitive future,” he said on the company’s earnings call with analyts. He also dismissed analyst concerns regarding LeapFrog’s increased inventory balance, attributing it to advanced production for 2013 as well as old, outdated products on their way out.

Another one of the company’s driving forces was its content sales both independently and through third parties. Though LeapFrog produces its original products, it has branded movies and apps for sale through outside vendors like iTunes.

LeapFrog’s performance is a small beacon of light in the overall flagging state of the toy sector, which is quickly moving to digital products, such as the tablets that LeapFrog makes. Industry giants Hasbro and Mattel have yet to adapt to the shifts and are paying the price. Hasbro warned of disappointing fourth quarter reports while Mattel’s fell slightly below analyst expectations.

With an increasingly tech-savvy generation of children to satisfy, LeapFrog is in a comfortable position to focus on considerable expansion in 2013, particularly internationally. It recently inked deals with Viacom International Media Networks to expand its Nickelodeon content to overseas markets in the U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

“International grew much faster than the U.S. in 2012 and I think this will happen this year even though some of their Spanish projects won’t come out for a year, year and a half,” said Edward Woo, a senior research analyst at Ascendiant Capital Markets LLC.

Two days before LeapFrog announced earnings, Ascendiant downgraded its stock from “strong buy” to “buy.” After today’s earnings call, Woo maintains Ascendiant’s stance.

“We like the company overall but there are a few concerns we have with the competition,” he said. “It’s difficult to do in the toy business, to keep repeating other hot products.”

LeapFrog will have to invest substantialy in R&D in 2013, I as it faces more competition, with other kid-centric tablets flooding the market recently.

“They are investing for international growth and expansion but you really won’t see any of that come to fruition until 2014,” said Michael Swartz, Vice President of Equity Research at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey. “You won’t have them in time for the ’13 holiday season.”

Looking ahead, the company said it expected sales to rise 10 percent in the first quarter.

LeapFrog shares traded up 2.98 percent midday Thursday after earnings were reported to $8.99 at the 4pm close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Shares rose 5.23 percent in after hours trading to $9.46. On Friday, the stock closed down at $8.79 per share.