Hasbro reported improved sales and profits for the first quarter of 2003, with sales up 2% and profits of $1.1 million vs. a loss of $263 million in the same period last year (which includes a $246 million charge related to asset impairment).  Game sales increased 21% to $112 million for the period, compared to $93 million in Q1 2002.  Hasbro attributed the increase in game sales to non-licensed trading card games (which we assume meant mostly Magic) and Trivial Pursuit 20th Anniversary Edition, offset by declines in sales of licensed trading card games.  International sales were up 29% (17% of which was due to currency fluctuation), attributable to sales of Beyblade, Transformers, Magic, and other products.  Toy sales were down 24%, with Beyblade and Transformers the bright spots, and Star Wars and Bob the Builder sources of declines. 

The Wizards of the Coast retail operations continued to bleed, with a 7% decline in sales to $8.3 million  and an operating loss of $6.8 million for the period, attributed primarily to the costs of store closings.