Star Wars gave a boost to Hasbro, the second biggest US toy maker, which announced a big rise in second-quarter profits on Monday.

Turnover rose 11 per cent from $516m to $572m and profits leapt 50 per cent from $18.8m a year ago to $29.5m for the three months to June 26 leading to earnings per share of 13 cents - up from 6 cents previously and above analysts consensus forecast of 8 cents a share. Shares rose 2.5 per cent on Monday morning in New York trading.