Toymaker Jakks Pacific Inc. hit a 52-week high during trading Thursday after the company reported impressive first quarter earnings boosted by strong sales.

Jakks reported first quarter net income of $3.2 million (12 cents per share), a 39 percent jump from $2.3 million (9 cents) from the same period a year earlier, beating analysts’ expectations of 8 cents per share, according to a poll performed by Thomson Financial.

Sales for the Malibu-based company rose 16 percent to $124 million, also beating Wall Street’s forecast of $118 million. The company cited strong sales of role-playing and dress-up games as well as increased demand for its Pokemon toys, World Wrestling Entertainment action figures and Plug It In & Play TV Games.

Shares in Jakks were up 6 cents to $25.62 in afternoon trading Thursday on the Nasdaq.