Mattel has announced successful first quarter financial results for 2010.

Worldwide sales for Mattel during the first quarter of the year are up 12% at US$880 million (£570m), including gross sales of Barbie up 5%, American Girl up 6%, and Hot Wheels up 9%.

A great improvement on the same period last year, its operating income stood at $45.2m compared with a loss of $55.2m in 2009.

World Wrestling Entertainment and Toy Story products helped lift the Mattel brand, while Thomas the Tank Engine – Thomas and Friends – added to the success of its Fisher-Price brands.

Lanie, the 2010 Girl of the Year designed to encourage young girls to get outdoors and appreciate the environment, helped the American Girl Brands business unit achieve sales worth $70.2m.

Robert A. Eckert, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mattel, said: “I am pleased with the performance across our portfolio of brands, including our core brands and our licensed evergreen brands, especially our newest properties World Wrestling Entertainment, Thomas and Friends, and Toy Story.

“I am also pleased with our continued success in identifying and executing programs that are generating efficiencies across the organisation.”

Mattel has recently been recognised as one of the ‘World’s Most Ethical Companies’ in 2010, for the second year running. In addition, it has also been recognised this year as among the “100 Best Companies to Work For” for the third time by Fortune magazine, and as one of the “100 Best Corporate Citizens” by Corporate Responsibility Magazine.