Shares in toymaker Mattel Inc. surged 11 percent in early trading Thursday after the company reported that fourth-quarter profit rose 15 percent thanks to a surge in international sales and a tax benefit. Those gains countered the costs of massive toy recalls last year and this year.

Mattel reported net income for the quarter of $329 million (89 cents per share), up from $286 million (75 cents) in the same period a year earlier.

The results were helped by a $47.3 million tax benefit, Mattel said essentially nixing the costs of the company’s highly publicized recalls.

Mattel incurred a $42 million charge for the quarter due to the recall of more than 21-million Chinese-made toys that were tainted with lead paint or posed hazards to children. The company added that profit was squeezed by higher material and testing costs.

Sales for the El Segundo-based company rose 3.8 percent to $2.19 billion mainly because of an 18 percent gain in international sales. Domestic sales were off 3 percent, however.

Sales of the company’s hallmark product, Barbie dolls, gained 4 percent worldwide in the quarter but declined 12 percent domestically. Sales of Hot Wheels and other toy cars climbed 15 percent overall, the company said.

Mattel’s directors approved a $500 million increase in the company’s stock repurchase program.

Shares in Mattel were up 11 percent to $21.02 in early trading Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange. Thursday’s early surge marked the largest gain in nearly two years.