Mattel Inc. is reporting a surprise loss and disappointing sales in the fourth quarter as the nation's largest toy company still reels from troubles at Toys R Us and a weak appetite for some of its brands.

The company based in El Segundo, California, reported a loss of $281.3 million, or 82 cents per share for the period. That compares with a profit of $173.8 million, or 50 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Sales fell 12 percent to $1.61 billion. Its loss adjusted for one-time items was 72 cents a share

FactSet says analysts expected an adjusted profit of 16 cents per share on sales of $1.69 billion.

The company said its strongest brand performance came from Barbie. But sales at Fisher-Price and Thomas & Friends fell.