Tractor Supply's Q1 earnings increased 10.9% year-over-year to US$48.8M as sales grew 9% to US$1.18B, comparable-store sales increased 2.2%; company opened 32 new stores in quarter, including 1,300th store

Cindy Allen

Cindy Allen

BRENTWOOD, Tennessee , April 24, 2014 (press release) – Earnings per Share Increased 12.9% to $0.35 vs. $0.31; Sales Increased 9.0% to $1.18 Billion; Company Reiterates Fiscal 2014 Outlook

Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retail store chain in the United States, today announced financial results for its first fiscal quarter ended March 29, 2014.

First Quarter Results
Net sales increased 9.0% to $1.18 billion from $1.09 billion in the prior year's first quarter. Comparable store sales increased 2.2% versus a 0.5% increase in the prior year period. The increase in comparable store sales was driven by key consumable, usable and edible (C.U.E.) products, principally animal- and pet-related merchandise and winter seasonal merchandise, most notably in the heating category, due to the extended cold weather. These increases were partially offset by the negative impact to sales from deflation and weaker sales of spring seasonal merchandise.

Gross profit increased 12.5% to $396.2 million from $352.1 million in the prior year's first quarter. As a percent of sales, gross margin increased 110 basis points to 33.5%. The primary contributors to the increase were solid retail price management in C.U.E. products through this deflationary quarter and strong sell-through of winter goods due to the cold weather, resulting in fewer markdowns.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased to 26.8% of sales compared to 26.1% of sales in the prior year's first quarter. The increase as a percent of sales was primarily attributable to higher occupancy and store-level costs directly related to the extreme cold weather for items such as utilities, snow removal, and building repair, as well as increased distribution center costs.

Net income for the quarter increased 10.9% to $48.8 million from $44.0 million and diluted earnings per share increased 12.9% to $0.35 from $0.31 in the first quarter of the prior year.

The Company opened 32 new stores in the first quarter compared to 22 new store openings in the prior year's first quarter. This included the Company's 1,300th store, which is located in Bullhead City, Arizona.

Greg Sandfort, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased with our overall first quarter results, which we believe demonstrate the underlying strength of our core business and our ability to manage through challenging weather conditions. Despite the late arrival of spring, our comparable store transaction count increased a strong 4.4% and we continued to gain market share by offering our customers a one-stop shop for their everyday basic needs. Our teams continue to work diligently to adjust timing of shipments, depth of inventory and marketing cadence by region to insure we are well-positioned to capitalize on the spring selling season as temperatures normalize."

Fiscal 2014 Outlook
The Company is reiterating all components of its fiscal 2014 outlook. For fiscal 2014, net sales are anticipated to range between $5.62 billion and $5.70 billion, with comparable store sales expected to increase 2.5% to 4.0%. The Company projects fiscal 2014 full year net income to range from $2.54 to $2.62 per diluted share. For the full year, the Company expects capital expenditures to range between $240 million and $250 million, including spending to support 102 to 106 new store openings and construction of the new Store Support Center to open in 2014.

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 TractorSupply.com and can be accessed under the link "Investor Relations." The webcast will be archived shortly after the conference call concludes and will be available through May 7, 2014.

About Tractor Supply Company
At March 29, 2014, Tractor Supply Company operated 1,308 stores in 48 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 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 estimated results of operations, capital expenditures and new store 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 customer data, ongoing and potential future legal or regulatory proceedings, management of our information systems, failure to secure or 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)
 
    FIRST QUARTER ENDED
    March 29, 2014   March 30, 2013
                     
          % of         % of
          Sales         Sales
Net sales   $ 1,183,680   100.0%   $ 1,085,838   100.0%
Cost of merchandise sold     787,461   66.5     733,747   67.6
Gross profit     396,219   33.5     352,091   32.4
                     
Selling, general and administrative expenses     290,270   24.5     261,469   24.0
Depreciation and amortization     27,220   2.3     22,699   2.1
                     
Operating income     78,729   6.7     67,923   6.3
Interest expense, net     454   0.1     179   --
                     
Income before income taxes     78,275   6.6     67,744   6.3
Income tax expense     29,466   2.5     23,738   2.2
Net income   $ 48,809   4.1%   $ 44,006   4.1%
                     
Net income per share:                    
  Basic   $ 0.35       $ 0.32    
  Diluted   $ 0.35       $ 0.31    
                     
Weighted average shares outstanding:                    
  Basic     139,118         138,896    
  Diluted     141,032         141,610    
                     
Dividends declared per common share outstanding   $ 0.13       $ 0.10    
                     
                     
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets  
(Unaudited)  
(in thousands)  
   
    March 29, 2014     March 30, 2013  
ASSETS                
Current assets:                
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 47,789     $ 57,022  
  Restricted cash     --       8,400  
  Inventories     1,225,232       1,142,900  
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets     47,154       51,855  
  Deferred income taxes     19,963       7,214  
    Total current assets     1,340,138       1,267,391  
                 
Property and equipment:                
  Land     74,398       64,141  
  Buildings and improvements     594,150       522,280  
  Furniture, fixtures and equipment     418,473       356,730  
  Computer software and hardware     147,803       119,276  
  Construction in progress     74,867       61,801  
      1,309,691       1,124,228  
  Accumulated depreciation and amortization     (629,998     (540,934)  
    Property and equipment, net     679,693       583,294  
                 
Goodwill     10,258       10,258  
Deferred income taxes     7,351       3,696  
Other assets     18,952       16,689  
                 
    Total assets   $ 2,056,392     $ 1,881,328  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                
Current liabilities:                
  Accounts payable   $ 477,508     $ 476,043  
  Accrued employee compensation     6,696       9,107  
  Other accrued expenses     138,696       135,192  
  Current portion of capital lease obligations     42       39  
  Income taxes payable     22,481       3,749  
    Total current liabilities     645,423       624,130  
                 
Revolving credit loan     80,000       105,000  
Capital lease obligations, less current maturities     1,190       1,233  
Deferred rent     77,386       76,205  
Other long-term liabilities     47,836       44,534  
    Total liabilities     851,835       851,102  
                 
Stockholders' equity:                
  Common stock     1,333       1,315  
  Additional paid-in capital     464,058       386,136  
  Treasury stock     (923,043     (759,035
  Retained earnings     1,662,209       1,401,810  
    Total stockholders' equity     1,204,557       1,030,226  
                 
    Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 2,056,392     $ 1,881,328  
                 
                 
   
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  
(Unaudited)  
(in thousands)  
   
    Three Months Ended  
    March 29, 2014     March 30, 2013  
                 
Cash flows from operating activities:                
Net income   $ 48,809     $ 44,006  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:                
  Depreciation and amortization     27,220       22,699  
  Gain on disposition of property and equipment     (57 )     (156 )
  Stock compensation expense     3,941       3,397  
  Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised     (1,690 )     (11,993 )
  Deferred income taxes     2,616       10,711  
  Change in assets and liabilities:                
    Inventories     (245,924 )     (234,784 )
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     10,205       (47 )
    Accounts payable     161,021       155,651  
    Accrued employee compensation     (43,877 )     (39,293 )
    Other accrued expenses     (17,016 )     (14,296 )
    Income taxes payable     14,747       (27,617 )
    Other     1,929       (3,577 )
    Net cash used in operating activities     (38,076 )     (95,299 )
Cash flows from investing activities:                
  Capital expenditures     (41,863 )     (49,335 )
  Proceeds from sale of property and equipment     82       185  
    Net cash used in investing activities     (41,781 )     (49,150 )
Cash flows from financing activities:                
  Borrowings under revolving credit agreement     80,000       125,000  
  Repayments under revolving credit agreement     -       (20,000 )
  Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised     1,690       11,993  
  Principal payments under capital lease obligations     (10 )     (8 )
  Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations     (1,211 )     (3,942 )
  Repurchase of common stock     (84,455 )     (49,863 )
  Net proceeds from issuance of common stock     6,972       13,590  
  Cash dividends paid to stockholders     (18,083 )     (13,929 )
    Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities     (15,097 )     62,841  
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents     (94,954 )     (81,608 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     142,743       138,630  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 47,789     $ 57,022  
                 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:                
Cash paid during the period for:                
  Interest   $ 172     $ 148  
  Income taxes     11,994       41,650  
Non-cash accruals for construction in progress     8,355       17,515  
                 
                 
Selected Financial and Operating Information  
(Unaudited)  
   
    FIRST QUARTER ENDED  
    March 29, 2014     March 30, 2013  
                 
Sales Information:                
Comparable store sales increase     2.2 %     0.5 %
New store sales (% of total sales)     6.2 %     5.7 %
Average transaction value   $ 41.59     $ 42.39  
                 
Comparable store average transaction value decrease     (2.1 )%     (1.7 )%
Comparable store average transaction count increase     4.4 %     2.2 %
Total selling square footage (000's)     20,978       19,205  
                 
Store Count Information:                
Beginning of period     1,276       1,176  
    New stores opened     32       22  
    Stores closed     -       (1 )
End of period     1,308       1,197  
                 
Pre-opening costs (000's)   $ 2,270     $ 1,523  
                 
Balance Sheet Information:                
Average inventory per store (000's) (a)   $ 881.4     $ 887.0  
Inventory turns (annualized)     3.01       3.00  
Share repurchase program:                
    Cost (000's)   $ 84,455     $ 49,863  
    Average purchase price per share   $ 66.93     $ 47.72  
                 
Capital Expenditures (millions):                
New and relocated stores and stores not yet opened   $ 20.0     $ 12.3  
Corporate and other     10.1       1.0  
Information technology     6.5       11.0  
Existing stores     4.4       2.3  
Distribution center capacity and improvements     0.9       19.4  
Purchase of previously leased stores     0.0       3.3  
Total   $ 41.9     $ 49.3  
                 
  (a) Assumes average inventory cost, excluding inventory in transit.                
                 
                 
 

Contact Information

 

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

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

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