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8-K - FORM 8-K TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY - TRACTOR SUPPLY CO /DE/q420148k.htm


www.TractorSupply.com


TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY REPORTS
FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2014 RESULTS
Fourth Quarter Earnings per Share Increased 19.1% to $0.81
Fourth Quarter Sales Increased 12.0% to $1.58 Billion and Comparable Store Sales Increased 5.3%
Full Year Earnings per Share Increased 14.7% to $2.66


Brentwood, Tennessee, January 28, 2015 - Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retail store chain in the United States, today announced financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 27, 2014. Additionally, the Company provided its initial outlook for fiscal 2015.

Fourth Quarter 2014 Results
Net sales increased 12.0% to $1.58 billion from $1.42 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013. Comparable store sales increased 5.3% versus a 3.5% increase in the prior year’s fourth quarter. The increase in comparable store sales was broad based and driven by increases in both traffic and ticket. Comparable store transaction count increased 3.0% and average ticket increased 2.3%. The increase in comparable store sales was driven by a strong winter seasonal business, solid performance in consumable, usable and edible (C.U.E.) products and an increase in sales of big ticket items. In addition, hardline products such as fencing, truck accessories and tools also performed well.

Gross profit increased 12.5% to $539.6 million from $479.7 million in the prior year’s fourth quarter and gross margin rate increased 10 basis points to 34.0% from 33.9% in the prior-year period. The improvement in gross margin rate resulted primarily from price management as the favorable, colder weather early in the quarter created strong demand for winter goods, resulting in fewer seasonal markdowns. This was partially offset by higher transportation costs primarily due to our continued western store expansion.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 8.8% to $361.9 million. As a percent of sales, SG&A expenses improved 70 basis points to 22.8% from 23.5% in the fourth quarter last year. The improvement as a percent of sales was primarily attributable to the leverage of store operating costs provided by the strong comparable store sales growth and lower year-over-year incentive compensation expense.

Net income increased 16.9% to $112.1 million from $95.9 million and diluted earnings per share increased 19.1% to $0.81 from $0.68 in the fourth quarter of the prior year.

The Company opened 22 new stores and closed one store in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to 31 new store openings and no store closures in the prior year’s fourth quarter.

Greg Sandfort, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “Across the board, we had a strong fourth quarter and are pleased with our results. Sales growth was broad-based across all of our major product categories and geographic regions and was well balanced between both traffic and ticket. The fourth quarter was our 27th consecutive quarter of positive comparable store transaction counts. The team did an excellent job of managing product assortments, inventory, and pricing levels to capitalize on early consumer buying trends and drove both sales and margin growth in the quarter. It is my belief that our fourth quarter and full year results reflect our ability to effectively manage seasonal inventory investments, pricing and sell-through during seasonal changes and weather variations.”






Full Year Results
Net sales increased 10.6% to $5.71 billion from $5.16 billion in fiscal 2013. Comparable store sales increased 3.8% versus a 4.8% increase in fiscal 2013. Gross profit increased 11.2% to $1.95 billion from $1.75 billion and gross margin increased 10 basis points to 34.1% of sales from 34.0% of sales in fiscal 2013.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 9.8% to $1.36 billion, and improved as a percent of sales to 23.8% compared to 24.0% for fiscal 2013.

Net income increased 13.0% to $370.9 million from $328.2 million and net income per diluted share increased 14.7% to $2.66 from $2.32 for fiscal 2013.

The Company opened 107 new stores and closed one store during fiscal 2014 compared to 102 new store openings and two store closures during fiscal 2013.

Company Outlook
The Company anticipates net sales for fiscal 2015 will range between $6.2 billion and $6.3 billion, with comparable store sales expected to increase 2.5% to 4.0%. The Company projects fiscal 2015 full year net income to range from $2.95 to $3.05 per diluted share. For the full year, the Company expects capital expenditures to range between $240 million and $250 million, including spending to support 110 to 115 new store openings and construction of a new Southwest distribution center in Casa Grande, Arizona to open in fiscal 2015.

Conference Call Information
Tractor Supply Company will be hosting a conference call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time today to discuss the quarterly and full year 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 February 11, 2015.

Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download the streaming media software required to listen to the Internet broadcast.

About Tractor Supply Company
At December 27, 2014, Tractor Supply Company operated 1,382 stores in 49 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 heating, 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 sales and earnings growth, 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)

 
FOURTH QUARTER ENDED
 
YEAR ENDED
 
December 27, 2014
 
December 28, 2013
 
December 27, 2014
 
December 28, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
% of
 
 
 
% of
 
 
 
% of
 
 
 
% of
 
 
 
Sales
 
 
 
Sales
 
 
 
Sales
 
 
 
Sales
Net sales
$
1,584,254

 
100.0
%
 
$
1,415,089

 
100.0
 %
 
$
5,711,715

 
100.0
%
 
$
5,164,784

 
100.0
%
Cost of merchandise sold
1,044,659

 
66.0

 
935,377

 
66.1

 
3,761,300

 
65.9

 
3,411,175

 
66.0

Gross profit
539,595

 
34.0

 
479,712

 
33.9

 
1,950,415

 
34.1

 
1,753,609

 
34.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
331,780

 
20.9

 
305,665

 
21.6

 
1,246,308

 
21.8

 
1,138,934

 
22.1

Depreciation and amortization
30,114

 
1.9

 
26,969

 
1.9

 
114,635

 
2.0

 
100,025

 
1.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income
177,701

 
11.2

 
147,078

 
10.4

 
589,472

 
10.3

 
514,650

 
10.0

Interest expense, net
618

 

 
(528
)
 

 
1,885

 

 
557

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
177,083

 
11.2

 
147,606

 
10.4

 
587,587

 
10.3

 
514,093

 
10.0

Income tax expense
65,021

 
4.1

 
51,725

 
3.6

 
216,702

 
3.8

 
185,859

 
3.6

Net income
$
112,062

 
7.1
%
 
$
95,881

 
6.8
 %
 
$
370,885

 
6.5
%
 
$
328,234

 
6.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.82

 
 
 
$
0.69

 
 
 
$
2.69

 
 
 
$
2.35

 
 
Diluted
$
0.81

 
 
 
$
0.68

 
 
 
$
2.66

 
 
 
$
2.32

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
136,194

 
 
 
139,749

 
 
 
137,769

 
 
 
139,415

 
 
Diluted
137,733

 
 
 
141,829

 
 
 
139,435

 
 
 
141,723

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per common share outstanding
$
0.16

 
 
 
$
0.13

 
 
 
$
0.61

 
 
 
$
0.49

 
 










Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

 
December 27, 2014

 
December 28, 2013

ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
51,134

 
$
142,743

Inventories
1,115,450

 
979,308

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
66,444

 
57,359

Deferred income taxes
40,962

 
29,838

Total current assets
1,273,990

 
1,209,248

 
 
 
 
Property and equipment:
 
 
 
Land
79,571

 
73,350

Buildings and improvements
698,462

 
581,938

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
453,692

 
408,021

Computer software and hardware
154,818

 
140,222

Construction in progress
30,803

 
65,312

 
1,417,346

 
1,268,843

Accumulated depreciation and amortization
(696,346
)
 
(603,911
)
Property and equipment, net
721,000

 
664,932

 
 
 
 
Goodwill
10,258

 
10,258

Deferred income taxes
8,782

 
92

Other assets
20,541

 
18,861

 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
2,034,571

 
$
1,903,391

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
370,823

 
$
316,487

Accrued employee compensation
37,056

 
50,573

Other accrued expenses
182,565

 
155,615

Current portion of capital lease obligations
213

 
42

Income taxes payable
12,436

 
9,424

Total current liabilities
603,093

 
532,141

 
 
 
 
Capital lease obligations, less current maturities
4,957

 
1,200

Deferred rent
79,807

 
76,930

Other long-term liabilities
53,153

 
46,226

Total liabilities
741,010

 
656,497

 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Common stock
1,342

 
1,331

Additional paid-in capital
510,997

 
452,668

Treasury stock
(1,137,085
)
 
(838,588
)
Retained earnings
1,918,307

 
1,631,483

Total stockholders’ equity
1,293,561

 
1,246,894

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
2,034,571

 
$
1,903,391









Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
YEAR ENDED
 
December 27, 2014
 
December 28, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
370,885

 
$
328,234

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

 
 
Depreciation and amortization
114,635

 
100,025

Loss on disposition of property and equipment
389

 
35

Stock compensation expense
16,173

 
13,893

Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised
(18,850
)
 
(43,517
)
Deferred income taxes
(19,814
)
 
(8,309
)
Change in assets and liabilities:
 

 
 

Inventories
(136,142
)
 
(71,192
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
(9,085
)
 
(5,551
)
Accounts payable
54,336

 
(3,905
)
Accrued employee compensation
(13,517
)
 
2,173

Other accrued expenses
20,365

 
9,938

Income taxes payable
21,862

 
9,582

Other
7,941

 
2,275

Net cash provided by operating activities
409,178

 
333,681

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(160,613
)
 
(218,200
)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
331

 
477

Decrease in restricted cash

 
8,400

Net cash used in investing activities
(160,282
)
 
(209,323
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement
355,000

 
185,000

Repayments under revolving credit agreement
(355,000
)
 
(185,000
)
Excess tax benefit of stock options exercised
18,850

 
43,517

Principal payments under capital lease obligations
(114
)
 
(38
)
Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations
(4,766
)
 
(4,142
)
Repurchase of common stock
(298,497
)
 
(129,416
)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
28,083

 
38,318

Cash dividends paid to stockholders
(84,061
)
 
(68,484
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(340,505
)
 
(120,245
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(91,609
)
 
4,113

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
142,743

 
138,630

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
51,134

 
$
142,743

 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
Interest                                                                        
$
906

 
$
780

Income taxes
213,637

 
188,003

 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities:
 
 
 
Property acquired through capital lease
$
4,042

 
$

Non-cash accruals for construction in progress
14,843

 
8,258






Selected Financial and Operating Information
(Unaudited)

 
 
FOURTH QUARTER ENDED
 
YEAR ENDED
 
 
December 27, 2014
 
December 28, 2013
 
December 27, 2014
 
December 28, 2013
Sales Information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparable store sales increase
 
5.3%
 
3.5%
 
3.8%
 
4.8%
New store sales (% of total sales)
 
5.9%
 
6.0%
 
6.2%
 
5.4%
Average transaction value
 
$46.62
 
$45.50
 
$44.84
 
$44.48
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comparable store average transaction value increase (decrease)
 
2.3%
 
(1.5)%
 
0.6%
 
0.0%
Comparable store average transaction count increase
 
3.0%
 
5.1%
 
3.2%
 
4.7%
Total selling square footage (000’s)
 
22,176
 
20,470
 
22,176
 
20,470
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Store Count Information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning of period
 
1,361
 
1,245
 
1,276
 
1,176
New stores opened
 
22
 
31
 
107
 
102
Stores closed
 
(1)
 
 
(1)
 
(2)
End of period
 
1,382
 
1,276
 
1,382
 
1,276
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pre-opening costs (000’s)
 
$1,753
 
$2,013
 
$8,888
 
$7,756
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance Sheet Information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average inventory per store (000’s) (a)
 
$752.7
 
$723.5
 
$752.7
 
$723.5
Inventory turns (annualized)
 
3.50
 
3.52
 
3.32
 
3.29
Share repurchase program:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost (000’s)
 
$54,115
 
$38,816
 
$298,497
 
$129,416
Average purchase price per share
 
$62.35
 
$72.52
 
$63.99
 
$56.59
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures (millions):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New and relocated stores and stores not yet opened
 
$18.1
 
$17.6
 
$80.8
 
$69.1
Distribution center capacity and improvements
 
7.6
 
4.0
 
9.2
 
44.9
Information technology
 
4.3
 
7.0
 
22.7
 
29.8
Existing stores
 
4.0
 
9.2
 
20.0
 
22.3
Corporate and other
 
1.2
 
15.7
 
27.9
 
40.7
Purchase of previously leased stores
 
 
7.9
 
 
11.4
Total
 
$35.2
 
$61.4
 
$160.6
 
$218.2

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