Brentwood, Tenn., July 25, 2024 - Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States (the “Company”), today reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 29, 2024.

“We are pleased with our second quarter EPS results that were in line with our outlook. My sincere appreciation goes out to our more than 50,000 Team Members for living our Mission and Values every day as we focus on taking care of our customers and each other. The team continued to execute extremely well, upholding the high standards we set for ourselves every day. At the halfway point of the year, we have made significant progress on our Life Out Here strategy. We continue to create more separation between us and our competition, thanks to our Team Members and the meaningful relationships they have with our customers,” said Hal Lawton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tractor Supply.

Lawton continued, “We are confident that we have the right plans in place to win with our customers given the strength of our second half operational initiatives. We remain excited about the significant market share growth opportunities ahead of us as we focus on the continued creation of long-term value for our shareholders.”

Net sales for the second quarter of 2024 increased 1.5% to $4.25 billion from $4.18 billion in the second quarter of 2023. The increase in net sales was driven by new store openings, partially offset by the decline in comparable store sales. Comparable store sales decreased 0.5%, as compared to an increase of 2.5% in the prior year’s second quarter, driven by a comparable average transaction count decline of 0.6%, partially offset by a comparable average ticket increase of 0.1%. Comparable store sales results reflect strength in seasonal merchandise including big ticket, partially offset by declines in year-round discretionary categories. As expected, consumable, usable and edible products were modestly negative with positive unit growth offset by average unit price pressure.

Gross profit increased 2.7% to $1.56 billion from $1.51 billion in the prior year’s second quarter, and gross margin increased 43 basis points to 36.6% from 36.2% in the prior year’s second quarter. The gross margin rate increase was primarily attributable to ongoing lower transportation costs along with disciplined product cost management and the continued execution of an everyday low price strategy. These improvements in gross margin rate were partially offset by growth in big ticket categories, which have below chain-average margins.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 4.1% to $994.2 million from $955.4 million in the prior year’s second quarter. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses increased 58 basis points to 23.4% from 22.8% in the second quarter of 2023. The increase in SG&A as a percent of net sales was primarily attributable to planned growth investments, which included the onboarding of a new distribution center and higher depreciation and amortization, as well as modest deleverage of the Company’s fixed costs given the decline in comparable store sales. These factors were partially offset by productivity improvements and strong cost control. During the second quarter of 2024, the Company’s ongoing sale-leaseback strategy benefited SG&A by approximately 12 basis points, net of transaction and repair costs, from the sale of two Tractor Supply locations.

Operating income was $561.5 million in the second quarter of 2024 compared to $559.3 million in the second quarter of 2023.

The effective income tax rate was 22.7% compared to 23.0% in the second quarter of 2023.

Net income increased 0.9% to $425.2 million from $421.2 million. Diluted EPS increased 2.6% to $3.93 compared to $3.83 in the second quarter of 2023.

The Company repurchased approximately 0.5 million shares of its common stock for $139.2 million and paid quarterly cash dividends totaling $118.5 million, returning a total of $257.7 million of capital to shareholders in the second quarter of 2024.

The Company opened 21 new Tractor Supply stores and three new Petsense by Tractor Supply stores in the second quarter of 2024.

Based on year-to-date performance and its outlook, Tractor Supply is updating its financial guidance. For fiscal year 2024, the Company now expects the following:

Tractor Supply Company will hold a conference call today, Thursday, July 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 293 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 June 29, 2024, the Company operated 2,254 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 June 29, 2024, the Company operated 205 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, value creation, customer trends, new stores and distribution centers, property development plans, return of capital, and financial guidance for 2024, including net sales, comparable store sales, operating margin rates, net income, earnings per diluted 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, including our upcoming Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 29, 2024, which will describe additional risks relating to the scrutiny of our social and environmental strategies, initiatives and targets and our policies related thereto, which could adversely affect public perception of our business, employee morale, customer or stockholder support and have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition, and/or results of operations. 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, upcoming Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 29, 2024, 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.

			June 29, 2024						July 1, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents			$	394,748					$	620,031
Inventories			3,000,033						2,660,052
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			244,844						297,191
Total current assets			3,639,625						3,577,274
Property and equipment, net			2,566,723						2,185,476
Operating lease right-of-use assets			3,225,156						2,957,792
Goodwill and other intangible assets			269,520						267,088
Other assets			83,500						45,193
Total assets			$	9,784,524					$	9,032,823
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable			$	1,436,520					$	1,272,232
Accrued employee compensation			69,920						66,181
Other accrued expenses			557,721						464,267
Current portion of finance lease liabilities			3,405						2,860
Current portion of operating lease liabilities			382,111						317,730
Income taxes payable			94,858						114,194
Total current liabilities			2,544,535						2,237,464
Long-term debt			1,730,467						1,727,504
Finance lease liabilities, less current portion			29,661						32,999
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion			2,980,876						2,762,877
Deferred income taxes			54,418						59,157
Other long-term liabilities			139,235						125,670
Total liabilities			7,479,192						6,945,671
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock			1,423						1,418
Additional paid-in capital			1,349,198						1,283,589
Treasury stock			(5,717,944)						(5,210,524)
Accumulated other comprehensive income			4,680						10,216
Retained earnings			6,667,975						6,002,453
Total stockholders’ equity			2,305,332						2,087,152
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity			$	9,784,524					$	9,032,823

    

(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.