REGION

REGION

UCFC declares dividend that’s half of previous one

YOUNGSTOWN — United Community Financial Corp. declared a quarterly dividend of 4.75 cents a share, payable June 18 to shareholders of record as of June 6. The payout is half of the company’s previous dividend.

“Reducing the dividend was a difficult decision for the board. It represents a balance between our goal of providing a reasonable dividend yield to our shareholders and the company’s need to remain highly capitalized in today’s volatile economic environment,” said Douglas McKay, chairman and chief executive of the parent company of Home Savings and Loan Co. and Butler Wick Corp.

UCFC earned $4.1 million last year, compared with $24.1 million in 2006.

NATION

Mattel sues MGA over Bratz dolls

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — An attorney for Mattel Inc. says a rival toy company stole the idea for the Bratz fashion doll line that has become a global darling among consumers.

Attorney John Quinn made the allegation Tuesday during his opening statement in the federal copyright infringement trial in Riverside that pits Mattel against MGA Entertainment Inc., the maker of the urban-theme Bratz dolls.

Quinn says Mattel owns the rights to the Bratz dolls because the designer created the dolls while employed at Mattel. MGA has denied the allegations and countersued.

From Vindicator staff and wire reports