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Tractor Supply Company Reports First Quarter Results

Earnings per Share Increased 19.0% to $0.50; Sales Increased 10.2% to $1.47 Billion; Comparable Store Sales Increased 4.9%


/EINPresswire.com/ -- BRENTWOOD, TN--(Marketwired - April 20, 2016) - Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retail store chain in the United States, today announced financial results for its first quarter ended March 26, 2016.

First Quarter Results
Net sales increased 10.2% to $1.47 billion from $1.33 billion in the prior year's first quarter. Comparable store sales increased 4.9% compared to a 5.7% increase in the prior year period. The increase in comparable store sales was driven by an increase in both traffic and ticket, with comparable store transaction count increasing 4.2% and average ticket increasing 0.7%. Sales were broad-based, with all of our major product categories and geographic regions generating positive comparable store sales. Solid performance in consumable, usable and edible (C.U.E.) products, specifically pet and livestock consumables benefited sales. Seasonal products including lawn and garden, riding lawn mowers and fencing also performed very well, driven in part by early spring weather in the first quarter of 2016.

Gross profit increased 11.2% to $494.4 million from $444.6 million in the prior year's first quarter, and gross margin improved to 33.7% compared to 33.4% in the prior year period. The increase in gross margin was driven primarily by improved merchandise margin, which was partially offset by increased transportation costs. The improvement in merchandise margin resulted principally from our key margin initiatives of price management, imports and exclusive brands as well as cost negotiations and vendor support programs. 

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 9.8% to $386.2 million from $351.8 million in the prior year period. As a percent of net sales, SG&A decreased by 10 basis points to 26.3%. SG&A benefited from the strong comparable store sales increase and effective expense control and payroll management.

Net income increased 16.6% to $67.7 million from $58.0 million and diluted earnings per share increased 19.0% to $0.50 from $0.42 in the first quarter of the prior year.

The Company opened 36 new stores and closed three stores, all of which were Del's stores, in the first quarter of 2016 compared to 41 new store openings and one store closure in the prior year period.

Greg Sandfort, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased with our results and execution in the first quarter. Comparable store sales increased 4.9% and were balanced across product categories and regions. We know the seasons and weather can influence the timing of when our customers buy certain products, but we also know it is our job to manage the business accordingly. Once again, the team did an excellent job and we believe our first quarter results demonstrate the resiliency of our business model."

Mr. Sandfort continued, "Although we are off to a solid start in the first quarter, we recognize the importance of the spring selling season to our first half performance. We believe we have the inventory, people and processes in place to continue to meet the needs of our customers and drive our business."

Fiscal 2016 Outlook
The Company is reiterating the following guidance for the results of operations expected for fiscal 2016: 

                                                                            
Net Sales                                  $6.9 billion - $7.0 billion      
Comparable Store Sales                             3.5% - 5.0%              
Net Income                                 $455 million - $467 million      
Earnings per Diluted Share                        $3.40 - $3.48             
Capital   Expenditures                     $230 million - $250 million      
                                                                            

Included in this forecast are additional expenses related to the first year of operations for the new Casa Grande, Arizona distribution center and the continued transition of the Company's Del's stores to Tractor Supply stores. The forecast also considers the impact of the additional 53rd week in fiscal 2016. Anticipated capital expenditures include spending to support 115 - 120 new store openings.

Conference Call Information
Tractor Supply Company will be hosting a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time today to discuss the quarterly and full year results. The call will be broadcast simultaneously over the Internet on the Company's website 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 Internet broadcast.

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

About Tractor Supply Company
At March 26, 2016, Tractor Supply Company operated 1,521 stores in 49 states. The Company's stores are focused on supplying the lifestyle needs of recreational farmers and ranchers and others who enjoy the rural lifestyle, as well as tradesmen and small businesses. Stores are located primarily in towns outlying major metropolitan markets and in rural communities. The Company offers the following comprehensive selection of merchandise: (1) equine, livestock, pet and small animal products, including items necessary for their health, care, growth and containment; (2) hardware, truck, towing and tool products; (3) seasonal products, including heating, lawn and garden items, power equipment, gifts and toys; (4) work/recreational clothing and footwear; and (5) maintenance products for agricultural and rural use.

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, capital expenditures, marketing, merchandising and strategic initiatives and new store and distribution center openings 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, general economic conditions affecting consumer spending, the timing and acceptance of new products in the stores, the timing and mix of goods sold, 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 and execute our 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 our business, competition, weather conditions, the seasonal nature of our business, 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 our 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 and results of examination by taxing authorities, 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.

                                                                            
                Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income                 
                                (Unaudited)                                 
                  (in thousands, except per share amounts)                  
                                                                            
                                                FIRST QUARTER ENDED         
                                       -------------------------------------
                                         March 26, 2016     March 28, 2015  
                                       ------------------ ------------------
                                                                            
                                                   % of               % of  
                                                   Sales              Sales 
                                                  -------            -------
Net sales                              $1,467,797  100.0% $1,331,352  100.0%
Cost of merchandise sold                  973,353   66.3     886,747   66.6 
                                       ---------- ------- ---------- -------
Gross profit                              494,444   33.7     444,605   33.4 
                                                                            
Selling, general and administrative                                         
 expenses                                 352,672   24.0     321,476   24.1 
Depreciation and amortization              33,577    2.3      30,282    2.3 
                                       ---------- ------- ---------- -------
                                                                            
Operating income                          108,195    7.4      92,847    7.0 
Interest expense, net                       1,125    0.1         866    0.1 
                                       ---------- ------- ---------- -------
                                                                            
Income before income taxes                107,070    7.3      91,981    6.9 
Income tax expense                         39,402    2.7      33,941    2.5 
                                       ---------- ------- ---------- -------
Net income                             $   67,668    4.6% $   58,040    4.4%
                                       ========== ======= ========== =======
                                                                            
Net income per share:                                                       
  Basic                                $     0.51         $     0.43        
                                       ==========         ==========        
  Diluted                              $     0.50         $     0.42        
                                       ==========         ==========        
                                                                            
Weighted average shares outstanding:                                        
  Basic                                   133,630            136,347        
  Diluted                                 134,709            137,735        
                                                                            
Dividends declared per common share                                         
 outstanding                           $     0.20         $     0.16        
                                       ==========         ==========        
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                   Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets                    
                                (Unaudited)                                 
                               (in thousands)                               
                                           March 26, 2016   March 28, 2015  
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
ASSETS                                                                      
Current assets:                                                             
  Cash and cash equivalents                $        74,501  $        57,133 
  Inventories                                    1,470,691        1,370,965 
  Prepaid expenses and other current                                        
   assets                                           80,858           64,967 
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
    Total current assets                         1,626,050        1,493,065 
                                                                            
Property and equipment:                                                     
  Land                                              87,005           80,705 
  Buildings and improvements                       838,336          713,132 
  Furniture, fixtures and equipment                534,335          466,663 
  Computer software and hardware                   187,477          161,884 
  Construction in progress                          37,137           52,523 
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
    Property and equipment, gross                1,684,290        1,474,907 
  Accumulated depreciation and                                              
   amortization                                   (828,789)        (725,155)
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
    Property and equipment, net                    855,501          749,752 
                                                                            
Goodwill                                            10,258           10,258 
Deferred income taxes                               55,798           49,385 
Other assets                                        16,921           19,550 
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
                                                                            
    Total assets                           $     2,564,528  $     2,322,010 
                                           ===============  =============== 
                                                                            
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                        
Current liabilities:                                                        
  Accounts payable                         $       582,745  $       585,551 
  Accrued employee compensation                     10,994            9,483 
  Other accrued expenses                           178,747          180,829 
  Current portion of long-term debt                 10,000                - 
  Current portion of capital lease                                          
   obligations                                       1,081              441 
  Income taxes payable                              29,830           28,684 
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
    Total current liabilities                      813,397          804,988 
                                                                            
Long-term debt                                     238,641           60,000 
Capital lease obligations, less current                                     
 maturities                                         21,761            8,761 
Deferred rent                                       86,960           80,946 
Other long-term liabilities                         51,066           52,437 
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
    Total liabilities                            1,211,825        1,007,132 
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
                                                                            
Stockholders' equity:                                                       
  Common stock                                       1,354            1,347 
  Additional paid-in capital                       613,686          544,042 
  Treasury stock                                (1,528,892)      (1,185,030)
  Retained earnings                              2,266,555        1,954,519 
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
    Total stockholders' equity                   1,352,703        1,314,878 
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
                                                                            
    Total liabilities and stockholders'                                     
     equity                                $     2,564,528  $     2,322,010 
                                           ===============  =============== 
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
              Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows               
                                (Unaudited)                                 
                               (in thousands)                               
                                                  Three Months Ended        
                                           -------------------------------- 
                                           March 26, 2016   March 28, 2015  
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
Cash flows from operating activities:                                       
Net income                                 $        67,668  $        58,040 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net                                  
 cash provided by operating activities:                                     
  Depreciation and amortization                     33,577           30,282 
  Loss on disposition of property and                                       
   equipment                                            80              (47)
  Share-based compensation expense                   5,269            4,999 
  Excess tax benefit of stock options                                       
   exercised                                        (3,090)          (8,181)
  Deferred income taxes                               (604)             359 
  Change in assets and liabilities:                                         
    Inventories                                   (186,316)        (255,515)
    Prepaid expenses and other current                                      
     assets                                          6,652            1,477 
    Accounts payable                               155,496          214,728 
    Accrued employee compensation                  (31,690)         (27,573)
    Other accrued expenses                         (15,879)          (8,074)
    Income taxes                                    31,234           24,429 
    Other                                              157            1,389 
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
    Net cash provided by operating                                          
     activities                                     62,554           36,313 
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
Cash flows from investing activities:                                       
  Capital expenditures                             (36,732)         (48,767)
  Proceeds from sale of property and                                        
   equipment                                            20              265 
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
    Net cash used in investing activities          (36,712)         (48,502)
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
Cash flows from financing activities:                                       
  Borrowings under senior credit facility          475,000          110,000 
  Repayments under senior credit facility         (375,000)         (50,000)
  Debt issuance costs                               (1,380)               - 
  Excess tax benefit of stock options                                       
   exercised                                         3,090            8,181 
  Principal payments under capital lease                                    
   obligations                                        (246)             (90)
  Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax                                       
   obligations                                        (843)          (1,078)
  Repurchase of common stock                       (99,102)         (47,945)
  Net proceeds from issuance of common                                      
   stock                                            10,041           20,948 
  Cash dividends paid to stockholders              (26,714)         (21,828)
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
    Net cash (used in) provided by                                          
     financing activities                          (15,154)          18,188 
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents             10,688            5,999 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of                                   
 period                                             63,813           51,134 
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $        74,501  $        57,133 
                                           ===============  =============== 
                                                                            
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow                                       
 information:                                                               
Cash paid during the period for:                                            
  Interest                                 $           791  $           464 
  Income taxes                                       8,642            8,979 
                                                                            
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash                                        
 activities:                                                                
  Property and equipment acquired through                                   
   capital lease                           $         5,218  $         4,122 
  Non-cash accruals for construction in                                     
   progress                                         15,652           21,181 
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                Selected Financial and Operating Information                
                                (Unaudited)                                 
                                                 FIRST QUARTER ENDED        
                                           -------------------------------- 
                                           March 26, 2016   March 28, 2015  
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
Sales Information:                                                          
------------------------------------------                                  
Comparable store sales increase                        4.9%             5.7%
New store sales (% of total sales)                     5.3%             6.2%
Average transaction value                  $         42.48  $         42.08 
                                                                            
Comparable store average transaction value                                  
 increase                                              0.7%             0.8%
Comparable store average transaction count                                  
 increase                                              4.2%             4.8%
Total selling square footage (000's)                24,498           22,810 
Exclusive brands (% of total sales)                   31.7%            32.2%
Imports (% of total sales)                            12.3%            11.5%
                                                                            
Store Count Information:                                                    
------------------------------------------                                  
Beginning of period                                  1,488            1,382 
  New stores opened                                     36               41 
  Stores closed                                         (3)              (1)
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
End of period                                        1,521            1,422 
                                           ===============  =============== 
                                                                            
Pre-opening costs (000's)                  $         2,511  $         2,767 
                                                                            
Balance Sheet Information:                                                  
------------------------------------------                                  
Average inventory per store (000's) (a)    $         914.0  $         905.5 
Inventory turns (annualized)                          2.94             3.02 
Share repurchase program:                                                   
  Cost (000's)                             $        99,102  $        47,945 
  Average purchase price per share         $         83.70  $         80.42 
                                                                            
Capital Expenditures (millions):                                            
------------------------------------------                                  
New and relocated stores and stores not                                     
 yet opened                                $          22.5  $          20.7 
Information technology                                 6.8              6.5 
Existing stores                                        4.4              2.7 
Distribution center capacity and                                            
 improvements                                          3.0             18.4 
Corporate and other                                      -              0.5 
                                           ---------------  --------------- 
Total                                      $          36.7  $          48.8 
------------------------------------------ ===============  =============== 
(a) Assumes average inventory cost, excluding inventory in transit.         
                                                                            

Anthony F. Crudele
Chief Financial Officer
Christine Skold
Vice President, Investor Relations
(615) 440-4000

Investors:
John Rouleau/Rachel Schacter
ICR 
Media:
Alecia Pulman/Brittany Rae Fraser
ICR
(203) 682-8200


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