Why I am still avoiding LeapFrog

LeapFrog Enterprises (NYSE: LF) reported a decent quarter, but I won't be buying the stock. I just think there are better ideas out there in this sector. First, let's play around with the numbers.

For Q2, LeapFrog saw its top line increase by 22% to a little over $68 million. The net loss was 32 cents per share versus a net loss of 44 cents a year earlier. According to Earnings.com, analysts were expecting the loss to be about 44 cents per share. There was, however, a little help from a tax benefit in the quarter; last year, the company recorded a tax expense. LeapFrog not only scored on the bottom line, but it also expanded its gross margin. So, the quarter seemed all right. But, I then look at the cash flow statement and see that LeapFrog has been using cash for operations the last six months. In the similar time period a year ago, LeapFrog reported positive operational cash flow.

LeapFrog's stock was up over 5% in after-hours trading on Monday after the earnings release. The stock has been strong in a bad market according to the AOL Finance snapshot, and the pop in the after-hours session placed it close to a 52-week high. Again, though, I think there are better ideas out there. Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) is a toy company I'd much rather align my portfolio with. I could even look at Mattel (NYSE: MAT) and JAKKS Pacific (NASDAQ: JAKK).

I know that the stock may be signaling better times ahead, and toy companies certainly make their profits in the latter part of the year, but I still am cautious on this business. When I wrote about the company's fiscal year, I also noted bad cash-flow characteristics, as well losses on the bottom line. So, in the end, I just don't want my portfolio to play around with this low-priced equity.

Disclosure: I don't own any company mentioned; positions can change at any time.