Shares in toy maker Jakks Pacific Inc. got a boost Wednesday after the company reported a surge in fourth-quarter profit thanks to strong sales of Disney toys, action figures and video games.

Jakks reported net income for the quarter ended Dec. 31 of $34.4 million ($1.06 per share) a 48 percent jump from $23.2 million (73 cents) from the same period a year earlier. The results smashed Wall Street’s expectations of 74 cents per share, according to a poll conducted Thomson Financial.

Sales for the Malibu-based company grew 20 percent to $285 million, also eclipsing analysts’ expectations of $247 million.

Jakks said that toys based on Walt Disney Co. characters, such as Hanna Montana, as well as Plug It In & Play electronic game products and its video game unit all saw strong sales during the holiday season and the quarter. Chief Executive Jack Friedman said he expects those brisk sales to continue.

For the year, net income was up 24 percent to $90 million ($2.80 per share) while sales were up 12 percent to $857 million.

Late last month, rival toy maker Mattel Inc. also reported strong fourth quarter earnings saying fourth-quarter profit added 15 percent while sales inched up 3.8 percent.

Shares in Jakks were up 3.7 percent to $27.84 in early trading Wednesday on the Nasdaq.