July 25 (Reuters) - Hasbro ( HAS ) posted a

smaller-than-expected drop in second-quarter sales on Thursday

as steady digital gaming demand offset a slump in core toy

sales, while cost-control strategies helped the toymaker beat

profit expectations.

The Nerf toy gun maker's turnaround strategy to limit

expenses and maintain a tight inventory amid an industrywide

slowdown in toy demand has helped buoy its performance.

The company's quarterly revenue dropped 18% to $995.3

million, smaller than a 22.02% drop estimated by analysts,

according to LSEG data.

On an adjusted basis, Hasbro ( HAS ) earned $1.22 per share in the

second quarter, compared with estimates of 78 cents.

Hasbro ( HAS ) now expects full-year revenue from its consumer

products segment to be down 7% to 11%, compared with its

February forecast of a 7% to 12% decline.

On Tuesday, Barbie maker Mattel ( MAT ) topped Wall Street

estimates for second-quarter profit, aided by a tight control on

costs even as it posted a surprise drop in sales.