• Net Sales Increased 8.3%; Comparable Store Sales Increased 5.0%
  • Diluted Earnings Per Share Increased 10.5% to $0.63
  • $192.9 Million of Capital Returned to Shareholders Through Share Repurchases and Quarterly Cash Dividends
  • Company Confirms 2019 Financial Guidance

BRENTWOOD, Tenn., April 25, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, today reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 30, 2019.

“Tractor Supply started off 2019 with strong performance in the first quarter with comparable store sales growth of 5.0% driven, once again, by balanced and broad-based sales growth across our differentiated model. Throughout the quarter, the team worked together to ensure that our seasonal product assortments and in-stock levels were appropriate to support our customers’ changing needs across our regions. As we enter the second quarter, we believe we are well-positioned to capitalize on the spring selling season,” said Greg Sandfort, Tractor Supply’s Chief Executive Officer. 

“We continue to execute on our ONETractor strategy to provide our customers with a seamless shopping experience anytime, anywhere and in any way they choose, and we remain committed to creating sustainable long-term shareholder value.”

First Quarter Results
Net sales for the first quarter 2019 increased 8.3% to $1.82 billion from $1.68 billion in the first quarter of 2018. Comparable store sales increased 5.0% compared to an increase of 3.7% in the prior year’s first quarter. The comparable store sales results included increases in comparable transaction count and average ticket of 1.8% and 3.2%, respectively. All geographic regions of the Company and all major product categories had positive comparable store sales growth. The increase in comparable store sales was primarily driven by strength in everyday merchandise, including consumable, usable and edible products, along with strong demand for winter seasonal categories and, to a lesser extent, sales of spring merchandise.    

Gross profit increased 9.1% to $615.0 million from $563.6 million in the prior year’s first quarter, and gross margin increased 26 basis points to 33.8% from 33.5% in the prior year’s first quarter. The increase in gross margin was primarily driven by strong sell-through of winter seasonal categories and the strength of the Company’s price management program, partially offset by an increase in transportation costs.  

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 9.1% to $511.6 million from $468.9 million in the prior year’s first quarter. As a percent of net sales, SG&A expenses increased 21 basis points to 28.1% from 27.9% in the prior year’s first quarter. The increase in SG&A as a percent of net sales was primarily attributable to incremental costs associated with a new distribution facility in Frankfort, N.Y., and higher store and field team members’ incentive compensation due to the strong year-over-year performance and, to a lesser extent, investment in store team member wages. These SG&A increases were partially offset by leverage in occupancy and other costs from the increase in comparable store sales.

The effective income tax rate was 22.0% compared to 20.9% in the prior year’s first quarter. 

Net income increased 7.6% to $76.8 million in the first quarter of 2019 from $71.4 million in the prior year’s first quarter and diluted earnings per share increased 10.5% to $0.63 from $0.57 in the first quarter of 2018.

The Company opened 10 new Tractor Supply stores and one Petsense store in the first quarter of 2019 compared to 15 new Tractor Supply store openings and four Petsense store openings in the prior year’s first quarter.   

Fiscal 2019 Outlook
Given the seasonality of the business and the impact weather can have on the timing of sales and profitability between quarters, the Company continues to believe the business is more accurately assessed by the halves and not the quarters. Based on year-to-date performance, the Company confirms the following financial guidance for fiscal 2019: 

 Net Sales$8.31 billion - $8.46 billion
 Comparable Store Sales+2.0% - +4.0%
 Operating Margin Rate8.9% - 9.0%
 Net Income$555 million - $575 million
 Earnings per Diluted Share$4.60 - $4.75
 Capital Expenditures$225 million - $250 million

Conference Call Information
Tractor Supply Company will hold a conference call today, Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. CT / 10:00 a.m. ET, hosted by Greg Sandfort, Chief Executive Officer; Steve Barbarick, President and Chief Operating Officer; and Kurt Barton, Chief Financial Officer. The call will be webcast live at IR.TractorSupply.com.

Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download the streaming media software required to listen to the webcast.

A replay of the webcast will also be available at IR.TractorSupply.com shortly after the conference call concludes.

About Tractor Supply Company
Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, has been passionate about serving its unique niche, as a one-stop shop for recreational farmers, ranchers and all those who enjoy living the rural lifestyle, for more than 80 years. Tractor Supply offers an extensive mix of products necessary to care for home, land, pets and animals with a focus on product localization, exclusive brands and legendary customer service that addresses the needs of the Out Here lifestyle. With more than 29,000 team members, the Company leverages its physical store assets with digital capabilities to offer customers the convenience of purchasing products they need anytime, anywhere and any way they choose at the everyday low prices they deserve. At March 30, 2019, the Company operated 1,775 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states and an e-commerce website at www.TractorSupply.com.  

Tractor Supply Company also owns and operates Petsense, a small-box pet specialty supply retailer focused on meeting the needs of pet owners, primarily in small and mid-size communities, and offering a variety of pet products and services. At March 30, 2019, the Company operated 176 Petsense stores in 26 states. For more information on Petsense, visit www.Petsense.com.

Tractor Supply Company
Contacts:
Mary Winn Pilkington (615) 440-4212
Marianne Denenberg (615) 440-4345

Forward-Looking Statements

As with any business, all phases of the Company’s operations are subject to influences outside its control. This information contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding sales and earnings growth, estimated results of operations, including, but not limited to, operating margins, net income and comparable store sales, and capital expenditures. Other factors affecting future results include the amount of share repurchases, marketing, merchandising and strategic initiatives and new store and distribution center openings and expenses in future periods. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to the finalization of the Company’s quarterly financial and accounting procedures, and may be affected by certain risks and uncertainties, any one, or a combination, of which could materially affect the results of the Company’s operations. These factors include, without limitation, national, regional and local economic conditions affecting consumer spending, the timing and acceptance of new products in the stores, the timing and mix of goods sold, weather conditions, the seasonal nature of the business, transportation costs, including but not limited to, carrier rates and fuel costs, purchase price volatility (including inflationary and deflationary pressures), the ability to increase sales at existing stores, the ability to manage growth and identify suitable locations, failure of an acquisition to produce anticipated results, the ability to successfully manage expenses, including but not limited to, increases in wages, and execute key gross margin enhancing initiatives, the availability of favorable credit sources, capital market conditions in general, the ability to open new stores in the manner and number currently contemplated, the impact of new stores on the business, competition, including competition from online retailers, effective merchandising initiatives and marketing emphasis, the ability to retain vendors, reliance on foreign suppliers, the ability to attract, train and retain qualified employees, product liability and other claims, changes in federal, state or local regulations, potential judgments, fines, legal fees and other costs, breach of information systems or theft of employee or customer data, ongoing and potential future legal or regulatory proceedings, management of the Company’s information systems, failure to develop and implement new technologies, the failure of customer-facing technology systems, business disruption including from the implementation of supply chain technologies, effective tax rate changes, including expected effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and results of examination by taxing authorities, the imposition of tariffs on imported products or the disallowance of tax deductions on imported products, the ability to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, and changes in accounting standards, assumptions and estimates. Forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company are based on knowledge of its business and the environment in which it operates, but because of the factors listed above, actual results could differ materially from those reflected by any forward-looking statements. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made are qualified by these cautionary statements and those contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There can be no assurance that the results or developments anticipated by the Company will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on the Company or its business and operations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

(Financial tables to follow)


Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 FIRST QUARTER ENDED
 March 30,
2019		 March 31,
2018
   % of   % of
   Sales   Sales
Net sales$1,822,220  100.00% $1,682,901  100.00%
Cost of merchandise sold1,207,236  66.25  1,119,252  66.51 
Gross profit614,984  33.75  563,649  33.49 
        
Selling, general and administrative expenses465,809  25.56  426,113  25.32 
Depreciation and amortization45,767  2.51  42,787  2.54 
        
Operating income103,408  5.68  94,749  5.63 
Interest expense, net4,930  0.27  4,468  0.27 
        
Income before income taxes98,478  5.41  90,281  5.36 
Income tax expense21,646  1.19  18,848  1.12 
Net income$76,832  4.22% $71,433  4.24%
        
Net income per share:       
Basic$0.63    $0.57   
Diluted$0.63    $0.57   
        
Weighted average shares outstanding:       
Basic121,211    124,477   
Diluted122,152    125,174   
        
Dividends declared per common share outstanding$0.31    $0.27   



Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

 FIRST QUARTER ENDED
 March 30,
2019		 March 31,
2018
Net income$76,832  $71,433 
    
Other comprehensive income:   
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes(1,464) 1,832 
Total other comprehensive income(1,464) 1,832 
Total comprehensive income$75,368  $73,265 



Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

 March 30,
 2019		 March 31,
 2018
ASSETS   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$102,215  $132,398 
Inventories1,881,332  1,760,065 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets90,692  86,815 
Income taxes receivable4,846  4,815 
Total current assets2,079,085  1,984,093 
    
Property and equipment, net1,120,869  1,050,399 
Operating lease right-of-use assets2,086,950  — 
Goodwill and other intangible assets124,492  124,492 
Deferred income taxes—  18,585 
Other assets25,805  30,218 
Total assets$5,437,201  $3,207,787 
    
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   
Current liabilities:   
Accounts payable$785,068  $732,524 
Accrued employee compensation28,704  23,274 
Other accrued expenses204,797  200,053 
Current portion of long-term debt21,250  25,000 
Current portion of finance lease liabilities3,683  3,545 
Current portion of operating lease liabilities260,441  — 
Income taxes payable7,991  29,539 
Total current liabilities1,311,934  1,013,935 
    
Long-term debt605,695  679,565 
Finance lease liabilities, less current portion28,336  31,717 
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion1,929,520  — 
Deferred income taxes6,878  — 
Deferred rent—  106,542 
Other long-term liabilities69,262  62,783 
Total liabilities3,951,625  1,894,542 
    
Stockholders’ equity:   
Common stock1,380  1,364 
Additional paid-in capital864,738  728,588 
Treasury stock(2,635,996) (2,288,364)
Accumulated other comprehensive income2,350  5,190 
Retained earnings3,253,104  2,866,467 
Total stockholders’ equity1,485,576  1,313,245 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$5,437,201  $3,207,787 



Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

 Three Months Ended
 March 30, 2019 March 31, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:   
Net income$76,832  $71,433 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:   
Depreciation and amortization45,767  42,787 
(Gain) / loss on disposition of property and equipment(224) 94 
Share-based compensation expense9,624  8,567 
Deferred income taxes13,485  (91)
Change in assets and liabilities:   
Inventories(291,790) (306,857)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets23,755  1,437 
Accounts payable165,087  155,956 
Accrued employee compensation(25,342) (8,399)
Other accrued expenses(31,159) (5,226)
Income taxes5,488  18,712 
Other(4,547) (276)
Net cash used in operating activities(13,024) (21,863)
Cash flows from investing activities:   
Capital expenditures(28,785) (45,144)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment358  13 
Net cash used in investing activities(28,427) (45,131)
Cash flows from financing activities:   
Borrowings under debt facilities385,000  375,000 
Repayments under debt facilities(165,500) (96,250)
Debt issuance costs—  (346)
Principal payments under finance lease liabilities(897) (900)
Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations(3,026) (569)
Repurchase of common stock(155,319) (157,463)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock34,732  4,363 
Cash dividends paid to stockholders(37,623) (33,591)
Net cash provided by financing activities57,367  90,244 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents15,916  23,250 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period86,299  109,148 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$102,215  $132,398 
    
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:   
Cash paid during the period for:   
Interest$6,137  $2,534 
Income taxes2,080  789 
    
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities:   
Non-cash accruals for construction in progress$6,540  $12,270 
Operating lease assets and liabilities recognized upon adoption of ASC 8422,084,880  — 
Increase of operating lease assets and liabilities from new or modified leases64,519  — 



Selected Financial and Operating Information
(Unaudited)

 FIRST QUARTER ENDED 
 March 30,
2019		 March 31,
2018		 
Sales Information:    
Comparable store sales increase 5.0%  3.7% 
New store sales (% of total sales) 3.2%  4.0% 
Average transaction value$43.99  $42.65  
Comparable store average transaction value increase 3.2%  0.5% 
Comparable store average transaction count increase 1.8%  3.2% 
Total selling square footage (000’s) 29,729   28,502  
Exclusive brands (% of total sales) 32.7%  32.7% 
Imports (% of total sales) 11.8%  11.8% 
     
Store Count Information:    
Tractor Supply    
Beginning of period 1,765   1,685  
New stores opened 10   15  
Stores closed —   —  
End of period 1,775   1,700  
Petsense    
Beginning of period 175   168  
New stores opened 1   4  
Stores closed —   —  
End of period 176   172  
Consolidated end of period 1,951   1,872  
     
Pre-opening costs (000’s)$943  $1,667  
     
Balance Sheet Information:    
Average inventory per store (000’s) (a)$915.4  $891.5  
Inventory turns (annualized) 2.91   2.89  
Share repurchase program:    
Cost (000’s)$155,319  $157,463  
Average purchase price per share$90.09  $66.53  
     
Capital Expenditures (in millions):    
Information technology$9.7  $17.8  
Existing stores 7.5   4.3  
New and relocated stores and stores not yet opened 7.3   10.5  
Distribution center capacity and improvements 4.2   12.4  
Corporate and other 0.1   0.1  
Total$28.8  $45.1  

(a) Assumes average inventory cost, excluding inventory in transit.

 

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