The Topps Company announced that profits for the fourth quarter of 2004 fell 85% from the same period in 2003.  Net sales fell 2% from $69.6 million in Q4 2003 to $68.3 million, with Entertainment sales, which declined from $41.7 million to $37.8 million, leading the way.  Topps attributed most of the decline to weakness in its European sports card releases.  Meanwhile Topps' overhead, including professional fees, general and administrative expenses, increased 16%, accounting for the precipitous drop in Q4 profits. 

The one bright spot on the entertainment side was the performance of Topps' WizKids subsidiary, where sales jumped 24% for the quarter.