# Southeastern Asset Management, which oversees 4% of Mattel’s stock, said the company would be better off if owned by a private equity firm, a toy competitor or a media company.

*business · news · 2026-05-09 · Hartford Courant*

## Key points

- Southeastern Asset Management, owning 4% of Mattel, urged Mattel to sell and go private.
- Southeastern's letter suggested potential buyers include private equity firms, toy competitors, or media companies.
- Mattel's weak 2025 holiday sales and declining Barbie sales contributed to recent share and profit drops.
- Mattel announced layoffs of 65 employees in March and has laid off hundreds in 18 months.
- Southeastern revealed Mattel and Hasbro have been in merger talks for years.

**Companies:** Mattel
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on Hartford Courant](https://www.courant.com/2026/05/09/mattel-investor-campaigns-to-take-the-company-private-3/)

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