Early this morning, Mattel (NYSE: MAT) announced that its quarterly loss totaled $51 million, or 14 cents per share. This loss met the Street's expectations, but it was also a penny wider than the same quarter a year ago. The toy giant blamed the larger-than-anticipated loss on a stronger dollar and inventory cuts at retailers. Quarterly sales dropped 15% to $785.6 million in the quarter, including a 7% hit from the stronger dollar, reducing overseas sales values.Mattel's CEO Robert Eckert stated that the company will keep controlling costs as "tough market conditions test the resilience of toy companies," which rely on parents to boost sales. Unfortunately for Mattel, parents have been cutting back on toy purchases in the current market environment, forcing retailers to cut inventories in an effort to curb excess merchandise. The article cites a report from market research group NPD Group that showed total retail toy sales dropped 3% in 2008.
It has been a tough start of the day for 
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