Tractor Supply Company Reports Record Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results; Raises 2021 Financial Outlook

-Net Sales Increased 13.4%; Comparable Store Sales Increased 10.5% on Top of 30.5% Growth Last Year with a Two-Year Stack of 41.0%

-Neighbor’s Club Reaches Over 21 Million Members and Customer Retention Hits an All-Time High

-Diluted Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) Increased 10.0% to $3.19

-Company Raises Fiscal 2021 Diluted EPS Range to $7.70 to $8.00, Compared to Previous Range of $7.05 to $7.40

Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, today reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 26, 2021.

“For both the second quarter and first half of the year, the Tractor Supply team delivered exceptionally strong performance as we successfully managed through challenging comparisons from the prior year,” said Hal Lawton, Tractor Supply’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Thank you to the more than 45,000 Tractor Supply Team Members who have done an amazing job of navigating through the pandemic. I am extremely proud of their relentless dedication to each other and our customers.”

Lawton continued, “As the country reopens, the Out Here lifestyle remains incredibly relevant as we continue to grow our active customer count and retain last year’s new and reengaged customers. We are increasing our earnings guidance given our strong results and the outlook for our customer trends and ongoing market share gains. The team is executing at a high level and advancing our Life Out Here Strategy while navigating the cost pressures we are experiencing. With a resilient business model, ongoing market share growth and strategic investments to transform the Company, we are excited about the significant opportunities ahead of us and remain committed to disciplined financial returns and sustained profitable growth.”

Second Quarter 2021 Results

Net sales for the second quarter 2021 increased 13.4% to $3.60 billion from $3.18 billion in the second quarter of 2020. Comparable store sales for the second quarter 2021 increased 10.5% driven by comparable transaction count and comparable average ticket growth of 4.5% and 6.0%, respectively. The increase in comparable store sales was driven by robust growth in everyday merchandise, including consumable, usable and edible (“C.U.E.”) products, and solid demand for spring and summer seasonal categories. All geographic regions and major merchandising categories of the Company reported comparable store sales growth. In addition, the Company experienced a record sales quarter in its e-commerce business.

Gross profit increased 11.3% to $1.29 billion from $1.16 billion in the second quarter of 2020, and gross margin decreased 67 basis points to 35.8% from 36.4% in the prior year’s second quarter. The decrease in gross margin as a percent of net sales was primarily driven by higher transportation costs, the initial impact from the relaunch of the Company’s Neighbor’s Club loyalty program and product mix shift towards C.U.E. Partially offsetting the decrease was the Company’s price management program.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 13.1% to $801.6 million from $709.1 million in the second quarter of 2020. As a percent of net sales, SG&A expenses were 22.3%, a 6 basis point improvement over the prior year’s second quarter. The improvement in SG&A as a percent of net sales was primarily attributable to lower COVID-19 pandemic response costs and decreased incentive compensation as well as leverage in occupancy and other fixed costs from the increase in comparable store sales. The leverage from these SG&A expenses was partially offset by higher wage rates, additional store labor hours and investments in the Company’s strategic initiatives.

Operating income for the second quarter of 2021 increased 8.5% to $485.9 million compared to $447.7 million in the second quarter of 2020.

The effective income tax rate was 22.8% compared to 22.9% in the prior year’s second quarter.

Net income increased 9.3% to $370.0 million from $338.7 million in the second quarter of 2020, and diluted earnings per share increased 10.0% to $3.19 from $2.90 in the prior year’s second quarter.

The Company repurchased approximately 1.1 million shares of its common stock for $203.3 million and paid quarterly cash dividends totaling $59.9 million, returning $263.2 million of capital to shareholders in the second quarter of 2021.

During the second quarter of 2021, the Company opened 11 new Tractor Supply stores and one new Petsense store and closed four Petsense stores.

First Six Months of Fiscal 2021 Results

Net sales for the first six months of 2021 increased 24.5% to $6.39 billion from $5.14 billion in the first six months of 2020. Comparable store sales increased 21.2% as compared to an increase of 19.0% in the first six months of 2020.

Gross profit increased 24.9% to $2.27 billion from $1.82 billion in the first six months of 2020, and gross margin increased to 35.5% from 35.4% in the first six months of 2020.

SG&A expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 23.6% to $1.55 billion from $1.26 billion in the first six months of 2020. As a percent of net sales, SG&A expenses decreased to 24.3% from 24.5% in the first six months of 2020.

The effective income tax rate was 21.5% in the first six months of 2021 compared to 22.7% in the first six months of 2020.

Net income increased 30.5% to $551.4 million from $422.5 million in the first six months of 2020, and diluted earnings per share increased 31.0% to $4.73 from $3.61 in the first six months of 2020.

Year-to-date through the second quarter, the Company has repurchased approximately 2.7 million shares of its common stock for $456.7 million and paid quarterly cash dividends totaling $120.5 million, returning $577.2 million of capital to shareholders.

During the first six months of 2021, the Company opened 32 new Tractor Supply stores and three new Petsense stores and closed 11 Petsense stores.

Fiscal 2021 Outlook

The Company is updating its fiscal 2021 financial guidance to reflect its strong performance in the first half of 2021 and based on what it can reasonably predict at this time. Given the nature of the COVID-19 pandemic on the macro economy and the consumer, the Company continues to plan for fiscal 2021 based on a range of potential outcomes.

For fiscal 2021, the Company now expects the following:

The Company’s diluted EPS guidance assumes an estimated effective income tax rate of 22.1% to 22.4%.

Capital expenditures are now expected to be in the range of $500 million to $600 million, an increase from the Company’s prior forecast of $450 million to $550 million. The increase in the capital expenditures principally reflects construction cost increases and incremental investments in technology. Anticipated capital expenditures include new store growth of approximately 80 new Tractor Supply and 10 new Petsense store openings.

Share repurchases for fiscal 2021 are expected to be approximately $700 million to $800 million.

The Company continues to have a strong liquidity position with current cash and cash equivalents of approximately $1.41 billion and no amounts drawn on its $500 million revolving credit facility as of June 26, 2021.

The Company’s outlook for fiscal 2021 does not contemplate the impact of the pending acquisition of Orscheln Farm and Home previously announced on February 17, 2021. The acquisition is conditioned on the receipt of regulatory clearance and satisfactory completion of customary closing conditions.

For the complete press release, click here.

About Tractor Supply Company

Tractor Supply Company (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, has been passionate about serving its unique niche, targeting the needs of recreational farmers, ranchers and all those who enjoy living the rural lifestyle, for more than 80 years. Tractor Supply offers an extensive mix of products necessary to care for home, land, pets and animals with a focus on product localization, exclusive brands and legendary customer service for the Out Here lifestyle. With more than 42,000 Team Members, the Company’s physical store assets, combined with its digital capabilities, offer customers the convenience of purchasing products they need anytime, anywhere and any way they choose at the everyday low prices they deserve. At December 26, 2020, the Company operated 1,923 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states and an e-commerce website at www.TractorSupply.com.

Tractor Supply Company also owns and operates Petsense, a small-box pet specialty supply retailer focused on meeting the needs of pet owners, primarily in small and mid-size communities, and offering a variety of pet products and services. At December 26, 2020, the Company operated 182 Petsense stores in 25 states. For more information on Petsense, visit www.Petsense.com.

Contact:

Mary Winn Pilkington – Media Relations – (615) 440-4212

Source: Tractor Supply Company