From the archive. This pick came before our first emailed issue. We wrote it on Nov 3, 2026 from sources published around that day, with the same checks as every issue. It isn't part of the track record.
The pick
Mattel (MAT) had the biggest jump in trading volume compared with its usual level. Volume was 8.5x its 30-day average, and the stock rose 18.80%.
What happened
On September 30, 2026, Mattel's board announced that Roger Lynch will become Chairman effective October 2, 2026, and Chief Executive Officer effective on or before November 2, 2026. Lynch is a current board member and Independent Lead Director.
He succeeds Ynon Kreiz, who will step down as Chairman and CEO effective October 2, 2026, to take a senior leadership position at another public company. The board named Diana Ferguson as its new Independent Lead Director.
Mattel said the appointment followed a comprehensive succession planning process. The company's filing does not say anything about the stock's move on October 1.
Source: [SEC filing]
What news reports said
CNBC reported that Mattel shares rose Thursday after the Wall Street Journal reported that Authentic Brands Group had expressed interest in buying the toymaker. [CNBC]
Yahoo Finance, summarizing the Wall Street Journal report, said the Barbie maker had attracted a potential offer of more than $20 per share. A Yahoo Finance article reported that Mattel rose as much as 36 percent during the session on reports that Authentic Brands Group was targeting the company for $6 billion. It said the stock pared gains and finished up 18.8 percent at $15.04. [Yahoo Finance] [Yahoo Finance]
Seeking Alpha reported that Mattel stock surged 19% on takeover talk from Authentic Brands. The sources do not include a comment from Mattel on the report. [Seeking Alpha]
Yahoo Finance also reported that Kreiz was named co-CEO of Paramount, which is set to merge with Warner Bros. Discovery. A separate Yahoo Finance article reported that he starts at Paramount on Oct. 5. [Yahoo Finance] [Yahoo Finance]
The numbers
- Previous close: $12.66
- Close: $15.04
- Change: +18.80%
- Volume: 35,717,313
- 30-day average volume: 4,185,814
- Volume multiple: 8.5x
- Behind the move: a company press release
What to watch
- Ynon Kreiz steps down as Mattel Chairman and CEO, and Roger Lynch becomes Chairman, on October 2, 2026.
- Lynch becomes CEO on or before November 2, 2026.
Source: [SEC filing]
More coverage
What happened next
Measured from this day's close. Shown for every pick, good or bad. See the full track record.