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8-K - FORM 8-K TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY - TRACTOR SUPPLY CO /DE/a8-kq32012earningsrelease.htm



                
www.TractorSupply.com

TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY REPORTS THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
~ Earnings per Share Increased 19.0% to $0.69 vs. $0.58 ~
~ Raises Full Year 2012 EPS Guidance ~
~ Sales Increased 9.0% to $1.07 Billion and Same-Store Sales Increased 2.9% ~

Brentwood, Tennessee, October 24, 2012 - Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest retail farm and ranch store chain in the United States, today announced financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended September 29, 2012.

Third Quarter Results
Net sales increased 9.0% to $1.07 billion from $977.8 million in the prior year's third quarter. Same-store sales increased 2.9% compared to a very strong 11.5% increase in the prior-year period. The same-store sales increase was driven primarily by continued strong results in key consumable, usable and edible (C.U.E.) products, principally animal- and pet-related merchandise.

Each quarter of fiscal 2012 starts one week later than the same quarter of fiscal 2011 due to the Company's 2011 fiscal year having 53 weeks versus the normal 52 weeks. Adjusting for the one-week calendar shift, same-store sales for the third quarter of 2011 increased 11.9%. Same-store sales for the four quarters and full year of 2011, adjusted for the one-week calendar shift, are presented in the attached table of Selected Financial and Operating Information.

Gross margin dollars increased 9.0% to $357.2 million from $327.6 million in the prior year's third quarter. As a percent of sales, gross margin was flat to last year, at 33.5% in the current and prior year's third quarters. Gross margin rate was favorably impacted by sales mix, as the Company sold a reduced percentage of low margin, big ticket products than in the previous year. The Company continues to benefit from key margin-driving initiatives, including strategic sourcing and price optimization. These gross margin improvements were offset by increased transportation costs related to increased imports of seasonal goods and the negative impact of the mix shift to freight-intensive C.U.E. products.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, including depreciation and amortization, improved to 26.2% of sales compared to 26.5% of sales in the prior year's third quarter. The improvement as a percent of sales was primarily attributable to lower year-over-year incentive compensation expense and expense control related to other store personnel costs.

Net income for the quarter was $50.0 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, compared to net income of $42.7 million, or $0.58 per diluted share, in the third quarter of the prior year.

The Company opened 17 new stores and closed one store in the third quarter of 2012 compared to 12 new store openings and one store closure in the prior year's third quarter.

Jim Wright, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are delighted with our ability to once again generate double-digit EPS growth during the third quarter, with our team executing exceptionally well through less than ideal weather conditions. We are pleased with our same store sales gain in light of last year's very strong 11.5% comp increase and moderate inflation this year. Our core C.U.E. businesses posted solid increases above last year. Additionally, we demonstrated our ability to recognize and react quickly to the regional weather trends that developed through the quarter. As a testament to the progress we are making on our key initiatives and the stability we have built in our business, we achieved our 18th consecutive quarter of comp transaction count increases.”





First Nine Months Results
Net sales increased 12.9% to $3.38 billion from $2.99 billion in the first nine months of 2011.  Same-store sales increased 5.5% compared to an 8.5% increase in the first nine months of 2011.  Gross margin dollars increased 13.7% to $1.14 billion, or 33.8% of sales, compared to $1.00 billion, or 33.5% of sales, in the first nine months of 2011.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 8.8% to $829.4 million, but improved as a percent of sales to 24.6% compared to 25.5% for the first nine months of 2011.

Net income was $197.0 million, or $2.69 per diluted share, compared to net income of $152.2 million, or $2.05 per diluted share, for the first nine months of 2011.

The Company opened 68 new stores and closed two stores in the first nine months of 2012 compared to 54 new store openings and one store closure during the first nine months of 2011.

Company Outlook
Net sales for the full-year 2012 are now expected to range between $4.61 billion and $4.65 billion compared to the Company's previously expected range of $4.58 billion and $4.65 billion. Same-store sales for the year are now expected to increase 4.0% to 5.0% compared to the prior expectation for an increase of 3.5% to 5.0%. Based on stronger than expected net income per diluted share for the third quarter, the Company now anticipates net income per diluted share for the full-year 2012 will range between $3.63 and $3.69, compared to its previous guidance of $3.58 and $3.66.

Mr. Wright continued, “Our third quarter performance highlights the underlying strength of our core businesses. We continue to demonstrate our ability to successfully navigate through a wide array of variables as we focus on managing the controllable. We continue to evolve our assortments and the in-store experience to provide customers with compelling values every day, with the right products in the right regions at the right time.”

Mr. Wright concluded, “As recently announced, I will be assuming the role of Executive Chairman by the end of the year, at which point, Greg Sandfort will take on the role of Chief Executive Officer in addition to his current role as President. The succession planning process has been underway for some time and we are executing a smooth and effective transition. Tractor Supply is strongly positioned competitively, operationally and financially, and we remain energized about the opportunities ahead.”

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 homepage 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 November 7, 2012.

About Tractor Supply Company
At September 29, 2012, Tractor Supply Company operated 1,151 stores in 45 states. The Company's stores are focused on supplying the lifestyle needs of recreational farmers and ranchers. The Company also serves the maintenance needs of those who enjoy the rural lifestyle, as well as tradesmen and small businesses. Stores are located in towns outlying major metropolitan markets and in rural communities. The Company offers the following comprehensive selection of merchandise: (1) equine, 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) maintenance products for agricultural and rural use; and (5) work/recreational clothing and footwear.







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 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 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, the ability to manage expenses, the availability of favorable credit sources, capital market conditions in general, failure 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 privacy, 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 and 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
Nine Months Ended
 
September 29, 2012
 
September 24, 2011
 
September 29, 2012
 
September 24, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
% of
 
 
 
% of
 
 
 
% of
 
 
 
% of
 
 
 
Sales
 
 
 
Sales
 
 
 
Sales
 
 
 
Sales
Net sales
$
1,065,638

 
100.0
%
 
$
977,776

 
100.0
%
 
$
3,377,954

 
100.0
%
 
$
2,992,715

 
100.0
%
Cost of merchandise sold
708,467

 
66.5

 
650,173

 
66.5

 
2,236,522

 
66.2

 
1,989,009

 
66.5

Gross margin
357,171

 
33.5

 
327,603

 
33.5

 
1,141,432

 
33.8

 
1,003,706

 
33.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
257,184

 
24.1

 
239,883

 
24.5

 
763,036

 
22.6

 
705,863

 
23.6

Depreciation and amortization
22,208

 
2.1

 
19,591

 
2.0

 
66,380

 
2.0

 
56,685

 
1.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
77,779

 
7.3

 
68,129

 
7.0

 
312,016

 
9.2

 
241,158

 
8.0

Interest expense, net
241

 

 
591

 
0.1

 
855

 

 
1,051

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
77,538

 
7.3

 
67,538

 
6.9

 
311,161

 
9.2

 
240,107

 
8.0

Income tax expense
27,517

 
2.6

 
24,805

 
2.5

 
114,191

 
3.4

 
87,879

 
2.9

Net income
$
50,021

 
4.7
%
 
$
42,733

 
4.4
%
 
$
196,970

 
5.8
%
 
$
152,228

 
5.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.71

 
 
 
$
0.60

 
 
 
$
2.76

 
 
 
$
2.11

 
 
Diluted
$
0.69

 
 
 
$
0.58

 
 
 
$
2.69

 
 
 
$
2.05

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
70,741

 
 
 
71,226

 
 
 
71,383

 
 
 
71,988

 
 
Diluted
72,313

 
 
 
73,343

 
 
 
73,098

 
 
 
74,158

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per common share outstanding
$
0.20

 
 
 
$
0.12

 
 
 
$
0.52

 
 
 
$
0.31

 
 










Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

 
September 29, 2012
 
September 24, 2011
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
70,185

 
$
96,590

Restricted cash
8,400

 
21,870

Inventories
1,020,140

 
913,738

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
50,892

 
40,198

Deferred income taxes
12,307

 

Total current assets
1,161,924

 
1,072,396

 
 
 
 
Property and equipment:
 
 
 
Land
51,665

 
32,627

Buildings and improvements
499,695

 
433,382

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
340,285

 
286,148

Computer software and hardware
112,523

 
108,940

Construction in progress
33,000

 
27,856

 
1,037,168

 
888,953

Accumulated depreciation and amortization
(508,169
)
 
(438,504
)
Property and equipment, net
528,999

 
450,449

 
 
 
 
Goodwill
10,258

 
10,258

Deferred income taxes

 
2,112

Other assets
15,122

 
12,635

 
 
 
 
               Total assets
$
1,716,303

 
$
1,547,850

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
362,059

 
$
340,208

Accrued employee compensation
29,221

 
36,823

Other accrued expenses
125,884

 
119,588

Current portion of capital lease obligations
35

 
32

Income taxes payable
24,834

 
2,850

Deferred income taxes

 
3,314

Total current liabilities
542,033

 
502,815

 
 
 
 
Capital lease obligations, less current maturities
1,255

 
1,292

Deferred income taxes
2,478

 

Deferred rent
77,414

 
73,091

Other long-term liabilities
38,910

 
33,747

Total liabilities
662,090

 
610,945

 
 
 
 
Stockholders' equity:
 
 
 
     Common stock
652

 
641

     Additional paid-in capital
348,446

 
281,101

     Treasury stock
(601,213
)
 
(429,469
)
Retained earnings
1,306,328

 
1,084,632

Total stockholders’ equity
1,054,213

 
936,905

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
1,716,303

 
$
1,547,850










Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
For the Fiscal
Nine Months Ended
 
September 29, 2012
 
September 24, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
196,970

 
$
152,228

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
66,380

 
56,685

(Gain) loss on disposition of property and equipment
(65
)
 
187

Stock compensation expense
14,051

 
10,693

Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised
(19,738
)
 
(11,902
)
Deferred income taxes
(14,789
)
 
(1,902
)
Change in assets and liabilities:
 

 
 

Inventories
(189,321
)
 
(177,218
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
836

 
(6,253
)
Accounts payable
95,650

 
92,820

Accrued employee compensation
(19,040
)
 
2,247

Other accrued expenses
(11,613
)
 
(12,561
)
Income taxes payable
32,698

 
6,483

Other
3,822

 
(175
)
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
155,841

 
111,332

 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(111,176
)
 
(107,326
)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
321

 
721

Decrease (increase) in restricted cash
13,470

 
(21,870
)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments

 
15,913

 
 
 
 
Net cash used in investing activities
(97,385
)
 
(112,562
)
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised
19,738

 
11,902

Principal payments under capital lease obligations
(27
)
 
(83
)
Restricted stock units withheld to satisfy tax obligations
(6,581
)
 
(981
)
Repurchase of common stock
(163,840
)
 
(172,093
)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
22,710

 
24,036

Cash dividends paid to stockholders
(37,236
)
 
(22,300
)
 
 
 
 
Net cash used in financing activities
(165,236
)
 
(159,519
)
 
 
 
 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(106,780
)
 
(160,749
)
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
176,965

 
257,339

 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
70,185

 
$
96,590

 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
Interest
$
1,143

 
$
565

Income taxes
95,577

 
81,942

 
 
 
 
Non-cash accruals for construction in progress
(3,449
)
 
(4,763
)

    





Selected Financial and Operating Information
(Unaudited)

 
THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED
 
THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED
 
Sept. 29, 2012
 
Sept. 24, 2011
 
Oct. 1, 2011
 
Sept. 29, 2012
 
Sept. 24, 2011
 
Oct. 1, 2011
 
 
 
(originally reported)
 
(adjusted for week shift) (b)
 
 
 
(originally reported)
 
(adjusted for week shift) (b)
Sales Information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total sales increase
9.0
%
 
17.9
%
 
18.3
%
 
12.9
%
 
14.9
%
 
15.2
%
Same-store sales increase
2.9
%
 
11.5
%
 
11.9
%
 
5.5
%
 
8.5
%
 
8.8
%
Non-comp sales (% of total sales)
6.0
%
 
5.4
%
 
5.5
%
 
5.9
%
 
5.6
%
 
5.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average transaction value
$
42.32

 
$
41.99

 
$
42.18

 
$
43.78

 
$
42.60

 
$
42.81

Comp average transaction value increase
0.2
%
 
5.3
%
 
5.6
%
 
2.1
%
 
2.8
%
 
3.0
%
Comp average transaction count increase
2.6
%
 
5.9
%
 
5.9
%
 
3.1
%
 
5.5
%
 
5.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Store Count Information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning of period
1,135

 
1,043

 
 
 
1,085

 
1,001

 
 
     New stores opened
17

 
12

 
 
 
68

 
54

 
 
     Stores closed
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
 
 
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
 
End of period
1,151


1,054

 
 
 
1,151

 
1,054

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pre-opening costs (000's)
$
1,791

 
$
1,658

 
 
 
$
5,403

 
$
5,590

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance Sheet Information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average inventory per store (000's) (a)
$
825.5

 
$
808.9

 
 
 
$
825.5

 
$
808.9

 
 
Inventory turns (annualized)
3.02

 
3.03

 
 
 
3.18

 
3.13

 
 
Share repurchase program:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Cost (000's)
$
61,304

 
$
49,206

 
 
 
$
163,840

 
$
172,093

 
 
     Average purchase price per share
$
90.06

 
$
61.12

 
 
 
$
88.98

 
$
58.11

 
 

2011 SAME-STORE SALES: ORIGINALLY REPORTED AND ADJUSTED FOR WEEK SHIFT(b)
(unaudited)
 
FISCAL 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Third Quarter
 
Fourth Quarter
 
Full Year
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Same-store sales increase (originally reported)
10.7%
 
4.6%
 
11.5%
 
7.6%
 
8.2%
Same-store sales increase (adjusted for week shift)
7.6%
 
7.1%
 
11.9%
 
7.1%
 
8.3%
Impact of week shift
 (3.1%)
 
2.5%
 
0.4%
 
(0.5%)
 
0.1%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a) Assumes average inventory cost, excluding inventory in transit.
(b) Due to the 53-week fiscal 2011, each quarter of fiscal 2012 starts one week later than the same quarter of fiscal 2011. The chart above presents same-store sales for 2011 as originally reported and as adjusted to represent the same 13-week period as the 2012 fiscal quarters. The adjusted 13-week periods end on April 2, 2011, July 2, 2011, October 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011, respectively.