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Tractor Supply Company Reports Third Quarter Results

Earnings per Share Increased 16.4% to $0.64; Sales Increased 8.5% and Comparable Store Sales Increased 2.9%; Net Income Increased 14.0%


/EINPresswire.com/ -- BRENTWOOD, TN--(Marketwired - October 21, 2015) - Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retail store chain in the United States, today announced financial results for its third quarter ended September 26, 2015.

Third Quarter Results
Net sales increased 8.5% to $1.48 billion from $1.36 billion in the prior year's third quarter. Comparable store average transaction counts increased for the 30th consecutive quarter. Comparable store sales increased 2.9% from the prior year's third quarter driven by strong performance in consumable, usable and edible (C.U.E.) products, principally in the pet and animal categories, and increased sales in certain spring and summer categories such as trailers and fencing. The strong sales results in these categories were partially offset by softness in the fall seasonal sales cycle later in the quarter due to warmer weather in the north.

Gross profit increased 10.4% to $512.2 million from $464.1 million in the prior year's third quarter. As a percent of sales, gross margin increased 60 basis points to 34.7%. The increase in gross margin resulted from strong price and markdown management, as well as lower fuel costs, which more than offset the stem mile increase from the Company's western store expansion.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 9.1% to $373.0 million compared to prior year's third quarter. As a percent of sales, SG&A expenses increased 10 bps to 25.3%. This increase was mainly related to deleverage in rent and other occupancy costs at the stores and incremental costs associated with two new mixing centers and a new distribution facility in Casa Grande, Arizona.

Net income increased 14.0% to $87.3 million from $76.6 million and diluted earnings per share increased 16.4% to $0.64 from $0.55 in the third quarter of the prior year.

The Company opened 30 new stores and closed three stores, two of which were Del's stores, in the third quarter of 2015 compared to 30 new store openings and no store closures in the prior year's third quarter.

Greg Sandfort, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Overall, we are pleased with our third quarter results, particularly with our performance in C.U.E. products. The past two years of strong spring and summer sales presented us with a challenging quarter, but once again, our team did a great job of positioning the assortments to take advantage of the extended season. The warmer temperatures in early fall did impact late third quarter sales; however, we believe we have the appropriate assortments and marketing plans in place to meet our customers' needs as the winter season progresses."

First Nine Months Results
Net sales increased 11.0% to $4.58 billion from $4.13 billion in the first nine months of 2014. Comparable store sales increased 4.7% versus a 3.2% increase in the first nine months of 2014. Gross profit increased 12.1% to $1.58 billion from $1.41 billion and gross margin increased 30 basis points to 34.5% of sales from 34.2% of sales in the first nine months of 2014.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 10.6% to $1.10 billion, and decreased as a percent of sales to 24.1% compared to 24.2% for the first nine months of 2014.

Net income increased 15.4% to $298.7 million from $258.8 million and net income per diluted share increased 17.8% to $2.18 from $1.85 for the first nine months of 2014.

The Company opened 88 new stores and closed five stores, three of which were Del's stores, in the first nine months of 2015 compared to 85 new store openings and no store closures during the first nine months of 2014.

Fiscal 2015 Outlook
Based upon third quarter results, the Company is tightening its fiscal 2015 guidance ranges as follows:

                                                                            
                           Updated                       Previous           
               ------------------------------ ------------------------------
Net Sales       $6.28 billion - $6.33 billion  $6.25 billion - $6.33 billion
Comparable                                                                  
 Store Sales            4.0% - $4.5%                    3.5% - 4.5%         
Net Income       $413 million - $420 million    $412 million - $422 million 
Earnings per                                                                
 Diluted Share          $3.02 - $3.08                  $3.00 - $3.08        
                                                                            

The Company continues to expect capital expenditures to be consistent with the prior quarter guidance ranging between $220 million and $230 million. Capital expenditures include spending to support approximately 114 new store openings and construction of a new Southwest distribution center in Casa Grande, Arizona which began receiving product in October 2015 and will begin shipping to stores in late 2015.

Conference Call Information
Tractor Supply Company will be hosting a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time today to discuss the quarterly 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 September 26, 2015, Tractor Supply Company operated 1,465 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, 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)                  
                                                                            
                                                THIRD QUARTER ENDED         
                                       -------------------------------------
                                         September 26,      September 27,   
                                              2015               2014       
                                       ------------------ ------------------
                                                                            
                                                    % of               % of 
                                                   Sales              Sales 
                                                   ------             ------
Net sales                              $ 1,475,645 100.0% $ 1,359,950 100.0%
Cost of merchandise sold                   963,397  65.3      895,881  65.9 
                                       ----------- ------ ----------- ------
Gross profit                               512,248  34.7      464,069  34.1 
                                                                            
Selling, general and administrative                                         
 expenses                                  342,891  23.2      312,669  23.0 
Depreciation and amortization               30,149   2.1       29,387   2.2 
                                       ----------- ------ ----------- ------
                                                                            
Operating income                           139,208   9.4      122,013   8.9 
Interest expense, net                          782     -          505     - 
                                       ----------- ------ ----------- ------
                                                                            
Income before income taxes                 138,426   9.4      121,508   8.9 
Income tax expense                          51,114   3.5       44,905   3.3 
                                       ----------- ------ ----------- ------
Net income                             $    87,312   5.9% $    76,603   5.6%
                                       =========== ====== =========== ======
                                                                            
Net income per share:                                                       
  Basic                                $      0.64        $      0.56       
                                       ===========        ===========       
  Diluted                              $      0.64        $      0.55       
                                       ===========        ===========       
                                                                            
Weighted average shares outstanding:                                        
  Basic                                    135,525            137,367       
  Diluted                                  136,741            138,863       
                                                                            
Dividends declared per common share                                         
 outstanding                           $      0.20        $      0.16       
                                       ===========        ===========       
                                                                            
                                                 NINE MONTHS ENDED          
                                       -------------------------------------
                                         September 26,      September 27,   
                                              2015               2014       
                                       ------------------ ------------------
                                                                            
                                                    % of               % of 
                                                   Sales              Sales 
                                                   ------             ------
Net sales                              $ 4,579,897 100.0% $ 4,127,461 100.0%
Cost of merchandise sold                 2,997,724  65.5    2,716,641  65.8 
                                       ----------- ------ ----------- ------
Gross profit                             1,582,173  34.5    1,410,820  34.2 
                                                                            
Selling, general and administrative                                         
 expenses                                1,014,209  22.1      914,528  22.2 
Depreciation and amortization               90,744   2.0       84,521   2.0 
                                       ----------- ------ ----------- ------
                                                                            
Operating income                           477,220  10.4      411,771  10.0 
Interest expense, net                        2,480     -        1,267     - 
                                       ----------- ------ ----------- ------
                                                                            
Income before income taxes                 474,740  10.4      410,504  10.0 
Income tax expense                         176,057   3.9      151,681   3.7 
                                       ----------- ------ ----------- ------
Net income                             $   298,683   6.5% $   258,823   6.3%
                                       =========== ====== =========== ======
                                                                            
Net income per share:                                                       
  Basic                                $      2.20        $      1.87       
                                       ===========        ===========       
  Diluted                              $      2.18        $      1.85       
                                       ===========        ===========       
                                                                            
Weighted average shares outstanding:                                        
  Basic                                    135,997            138,293       
  Diluted                                  137,292            140,002       
                                                                            
Dividends declared per common share                                         
 outstanding                           $      0.56        $      0.45       
                                       ===========        ===========       
                                                                            
                                                                            
                   Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets                    
                                (Unaudited)                                 
                              (in thousands)                                
                                                                            
                                    September 26, 2015   September 27, 2014 
                                   -------------------- --------------------
ASSETS                                                                      
Current assets:                                                             
  Cash and cash equivalents        $            51,352  $            47,510 
  Inventories                                1,414,562            1,295,824 
  Prepaid expenses and other                                                
   current assets                               64,822               49,936 
  Deferred income taxes                         42,628               33,317 
                                   -------------------- --------------------
    Total current assets                     1,573,364            1,426,587 
                                                                            
Property and equipment:                                                     
  Land                                          86,197               73,424 
  Buildings and improvements                   750,170              684,700 
  Furniture, fixtures and equipment            489,088              440,314 
  Computer software and hardware               172,443              158,480 
  Construction in progress                      85,531               25,015 
                                   -------------------- --------------------
                                             1,583,429            1,381,933 
  Accumulated depreciation and                                              
   amortization                               (774,772)            (675,132)
                                   -------------------- --------------------
    Property and equipment, net                808,657              706,801 
                                                                            
Goodwill                                        10,258               10,258 
Deferred income taxes                           29,915               24,929 
Other assets                                    18,392               20,123 
                                   -------------------- --------------------
                                                                            
    Total assets                   $         2,440,586  $         2,188,698 
                                   ==================== ====================
                                                                            
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'                                               
 EQUITY                                                                     
Current liabilities:                                                        
  Accounts payable                 $           527,143  $           483,042 
  Accrued employee compensation                 27,449               19,530 
  Other accrued expenses                       192,335              154,631 
  Current portion of capital lease                                          
   obligations                                     540                  125 
  Income taxes payable                          18,255               19,014 
                                   -------------------- --------------------
    Total current liabilities                  765,722              676,342 
                                                                            
Revolving credit loan                          190,000              150,000 
Capital lease obligations, less                                             
 current maturities                             10,746                3,048 
Deferred rent                                   82,905               78,356 
Other long-term liabilities                     53,953               50,745 
                                   -------------------- --------------------
    Total liabilities                        1,103,326              958,491 
                                   -------------------- --------------------
                                                                            
Stockholders' equity:                                                       
  Common stock                                   1,351                1,337 
  Additional paid-in capital                   576,175              483,804 
  Treasury stock                            (1,381,041)          (1,082,970)
  Retained earnings                          2,140,775            1,828,036 
                                   -------------------- --------------------
    Total stockholders' equity               1,337,260            1,230,207 
                                   -------------------- --------------------
                                                                            
    Total liabilities and                                                   
     stockholders' equity          $         2,440,586  $         2,188,698 
                                   ==================== ====================
                                                                            
                                                                            
              Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows               
                                (Unaudited)                                 
                              (in thousands)                                
                                                                            
                                               NINE MONTHS ENDED            
                                  ------------------------------------------
                                    September 26, 2015   September 27, 2014 
                                  --------------------- --------------------
Cash flows from operating                                                   
 activities:                                                                
Net income                         $           298,683  $           258,823 
Adjustments to reconcile net                                                
 income to net cash provided by                                             
 operating activities:                                                      
  Depreciation and amortization                 90,744               84,521 
  Loss on disposition of property                                           
   and equipment                                   115                  249 
  Share-based compensation expense              14,837               12,114 
  Excess tax benefit of stock                                               
   options exercised                           (16,994)              (7,333)
  Deferred income taxes                        (22,799)             (28,316)
  Change in assets and                                                      
   liabilities:                                                             
    Inventories                               (299,112)            (316,516)
    Prepaid expenses and other                                              
     current assets                              1,622                7,423 
    Accounts payable                           156,320              166,555 
    Accrued employee compensation               (9,607)             (31,043)
    Other accrued expenses                         882                 (379)
    Income taxes payable                        22,813               16,923 
    Other                                        5,950                4,543 
                                  --------------------- --------------------
    Net cash provided by operating                                          
     activities                                243,454              167,564 
                                  --------------------- --------------------
Cash flows from investing                                                   
 activities:                                                                
  Capital expenditures                        (163,468)            (125,425)
  Proceeds from sale of property                                            
   and equipment                                   371                  309 
                                  --------------------- --------------------
    Net cash used in investing                                              
     activities                               (163,097)            (125,116)
                                  --------------------- --------------------
Cash flows from financing                                                   
 activities:                                                                
  Borrowings under revolving                                                
   credit agreement                            525,000              260,000 
  Repayments under revolving                                                
   credit agreement                           (335,000)            (110,000)
  Excess tax benefit of stock                                               
   options exercised                            16,994                7,333 
  Principal payments under capital                                          
   lease obligations                              (318)                 (57)
  Repurchase of shares to satisfy                                           
   tax obligations                              (2,998)              (4,766)
  Repurchase of common stock                  (243,956)            (244,382)
  Net proceeds from issuance of                                             
   common stock                                 36,354               16,461 
  Cash dividends paid to                                                    
   stockholders                                (76,215)             (62,270)
                                  --------------------- --------------------
    Net cash used in financing                                              
     activities                                (80,139)            (137,681)
                                  --------------------- --------------------
Net change in cash and cash                                                 
 equivalents                                       218              (95,233)
Cash and cash equivalents at                                                
 beginning of period                            51,134              142,743 
                                  --------------------- --------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end                                            
 of period                         $            51,352  $            47,510 
                                  ===================== ====================
                                                                            
Supplemental disclosures of cash                                            
 flow information:                                                          
Cash paid during the period for:                                            
  Interest                         $             1,694  $               546 
  Income taxes                                 175,485              162,073 
                                                                            
Supplemental disclosures of non-                                            
 cash activities:                                                           
  Property and equipment acquired                                           
   through capital lease           $             6,434  $             1,988 
  Non-cash accruals for                                                     
   construction in progress                     23,731                7,654 
                                                                            
                                                                            
               Selected Financial and Operating Information                 
                               (Unaudited)                                  
                                                                            
                                THIRD QUARTER ENDED     NINE MONTHS ENDED   
                               ---------------------- ----------------------
                               September   September  September  September  
                                26, 2015    27, 2014   26, 2015   27, 2014  
                               ----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Sales Information:                                                          
------------------------------                                              
Comparable store sales                                                      
 increase                            2.9%        5.6%       4.7%       3.2% 
New store sales (% of total                                                 
 sales)                              5.3%        6.3%       5.7%       6.3% 
Average transaction value      $   43.48   $   43.75  $   44.53  $   44.20  
                                                                            
Comparable store average                                                    
 transaction value (decrease)                                               
 increase                           (0.9)%       2.2%       0.5%      (0.1)%
Comparable store average                                                    
 transaction count increase          3.8%        3.3%       4.3%       3.3% 
Total selling square footage                                                
 (000's)                          23,538      21,821     23,538     21,821  
                                                                            
Store Count Information:                                                    
------------------------------                                              
Beginning of period                1,438       1,331      1,382      1,276  
 New stores opened                    30          30         88         85  
 Stores closed                        (3)          -         (5)         -  
                               ----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
End of period                      1,465       1,361      1,465      1,361  
                               =========== ========== ========== ===========
                                                                            
Pre-opening costs (000's)      $   3,027   $   2,866  $   7,585  $   7,135  
                                                                            
Balance Sheet Information:                                                  
------------------------------                                              
Average inventory per store                                                 
 (000's) (a)                   $   893.7   $   879.5  $   893.7  $   879.5  
Inventory turns (annualized)        3.04        3.12       3.23       3.24  
Share repurchase program:                                                   
 Cost (000's)                  $ 119,416   $  97,385  $ 243,956  $ 244,382  
 Average purchase price per                                                 
  share                        $   86.61   $   61.86  $   85.57  $   64.36  
                                                                            
Capital Expenditures                                                        
 (millions):                                                                
------------------------------                                              
New and relocated stores and                                                
 stores not yet opened         $    30.2   $    23.1  $    66.9  $    62.7  
Distribution center capacity                                                
 and improvements                   21.1         0.7       61.3        1.6  
Information technology               8.7         6.3       20.8       18.4  
Existing stores                      6.4         7.3       13.8       16.0  
Corporate and other                  0.1         5.9        0.7       26.7  
                               ----------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Total                          $    66.5   $    43.3  $   163.5  $   125.4  
------------------------------ =========== ========== ========== ===========
(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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