Brentwood, Tenn., April 25, 2024 - Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States (the “Company”), today reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 30, 2024.

“For the first quarter, Tractor Supply’s results were in line with our expectations with positive comparable store sales and robust earnings growth. I want to thank our more than 50,000 Team Members for their enduring commitment to living our Mission and Values and providing exceptional customer service, which allowed us to deliver solid financial performance in the first quarter. We saw several positive signs in our business during the quarter, including ongoing market share gains, transaction growth and strength in big ticket sales. Most importantly, we believe that our customer base remains healthy and engaged. We remain confident in our outlook for 2024 given our share gains and the continued scaling of our Life Out Here strategy. We remain committed to disciplined investments to capture the significant long-term growth opportunities in our market,” said Hal Lawton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tractor Supply.

Net sales for the first quarter of 2024 increased 2.9% to a record $3.39 billion from $3.30 billion in the first quarter of 2023. The increase in net sales was driven by new store openings and growth in comparable store sales. Comparable store sales increased 1.1%, as compared to an increase of 2.1% in the prior year’s first quarter, driven by a comparable average transaction count increase of 1.3% and a comparable average ticket decline of 0.2%. Comparable store sales growth reflects strength in seasonal merchandise, partially offset by declines for year-round discretionary categories. Consumable, usable and edible products performed in line with the Company’s overall comparable store sales increase.

Gross profit increased 4.4% to $1.22 billion from $1.17 billion in the prior year’s first quarter, and gross margin increased 50 basis points to 36.0% from 35.5% in the prior year’s first quarter. The gross margin rate increase was primarily attributable to ongoing lower transportation costs, disciplined product cost management and the continued execution of an everyday low price strategy.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 3.5% to $957.7 million from $925.5 million in the prior year’s first quarter. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses increased 16 basis points to 28.2% from 28.1% in the first quarter of 2023. The increase in SG&A as a percent of net sales was primarily attributable to planned growth investments, which included higher depreciation and amortization, and modest deleverage of the Company’s fixed costs given the level of comparable store sales growth. These factors were partially offset by productivity improvements and strong cost control.

Operating income increased 7.6% to $263.1 million from $244.4 million in the first quarter of 2023.

The effective income tax rate was 21.1% compared to 21.0% in the first quarter of 2023.

Net income increased 8.2% to $198.2 million from $183.1 million. Diluted EPS increased 10.9% to $1.83 compared to $1.65 in the first quarter of 2023.

The Company repurchased approximately 0.5 million shares of its common stock for $117.4 million and paid quarterly cash dividends totaling $118.8 million, returning a total of $236.2 million of capital to shareholders in the first quarter of 2024.

The Company opened 17 new Tractor Supply stores and four new Petsense by Tractor Supply stores in the first quarter of 2024.

Based on year-to-date performance and its outlook, Tractor Supply reiterates the following financial guidance for fiscal year 2024, initially provided on February 1, 2024:

Capital plans for 2024 include opening approximately 80 new Tractor Supply stores, continuing Project Fusion remodels and garden center transformations, opening the Company’s 10th distribution center and opening 10 to 15 new Petsense by Tractor Supply stores.

Tractor Supply Company will hold a conference call today, Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 10 a.m. ET. The call will be webcast live at IR.TractorSupply.com. An investor presentation will be available on the investor relations section of the Company’s website at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call.

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.

For more than 85 years, Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO) has been passionate about serving the needs of recreational farmers, ranchers, homeowners, gardeners, pet enthusiasts and all those who enjoy living Life Out Here. Tractor Supply is the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the U.S., ranking 291 on the Fortune 500. The Company’s more than 50,000 Team Members are known for delivering legendary service and helping customers pursue their passions, whether that means being closer to the land, taking care of animals or living a hands-on, DIY lifestyle. In store and online, Tractor Supply provides what customers need – anytime, anywhere, any way they choose at the low prices they deserve.

As of March 30, 2024, the Company operated 2,233 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states. For more information on Tractor Supply, visit www.tractorsupply.com.

Tractor Supply Company also owns and operates Petsense by Tractor Supply, a small-box pet specialty supply retailer providing products and services for pet owners. As of March 30, 2024, the Company operated 202 Petsense by Tractor Supply stores in 23 states. For more information on Petsense by Tractor Supply, visit www.Petsense.com.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding market share gains, positive customer trends, new stores and distribution centers, property development plans, and financial guidance for 2024, including net sales, comparable store sales, operating margin rates, net income, diluted earnings per share, capital expenditures and plans, share repurchase, and sale-leaseback transactions. All forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, 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. Forward-looking statements are usually identified by or are associated with such words as “will,” “would,” “intend,” “expect,” “continue,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “optimistic,” “forecasted” and similar terminology. Actual results could vary materially from the expectations reflected in these statements. As with any business, all phases of our operations are subject to facts outside of our control. These factors include, without limitation, those factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Reports or Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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, except as required by law.

			March 30, 2024						April 1, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents			$	264,085					$	190,078
Inventories			3,048,719						3,030,712
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			206,680						235,510
Income taxes receivable			—						2,621
Total current assets			3,519,484						3,458,921
Property and equipment, net			2,496,948						2,144,769
Operating lease right-of-use assets			3,188,973						2,950,610
Goodwill and other intangible assets			269,520						253,262
Other assets			80,029						41,253
Total assets			$	9,554,954					$	8,848,815
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable			$	1,515,681					$	1,526,540
Accrued employee compensation			22,880						21,507
Other accrued expenses			559,688						472,742
Current portion of finance lease liabilities			3,359						2,818
Current portion of operating lease liabilities			376,816						313,809
Income taxes payable			39,331						12,284
Total current liabilities			2,517,755						2,349,700
Long-term debt			1,729,715						1,601,563
Finance lease liabilities, less current portion			30,530						33,831
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion			2,944,002						2,751,756
Deferred income taxes			68,489						76,450
Other long-term liabilities			140,452						120,969
Total liabilities			7,430,943						6,934,269
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock			1,422						1,417
Additional paid-in capital			1,332,608						1,262,775
Treasury stock			(5,577,398)						(5,053,077)
Accumulated other comprehensive income			6,062						9,438
Retained earnings			6,361,317						5,693,993
Total stockholders’ equity			2,124,011						1,914,546
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity			$	9,554,954					$	8,848,815

    

(a) Comparable store average transaction value changes include the impact of transaction value changes achieved on the current period change in transaction count.

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

(c) Effective January 1, 2023, the Company’s share repurchases are subject to a 1% excise tax as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Excise taxes incurred on share repurchases represent direct costs of the repurchase and are recorded as a part of the cost basis of the shares within treasury stock.