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, TN--(Marketwired - 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.

Contact Information:

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

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