EX-99.1 2 exhibit1.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2007 RESULTS
~ Record First Quarter Sales of $559.8 million; Increase of 20.3% ~
~ Same-Store Sales Increase 8.5% ~
~ Record First Quarter EPS of $0.12 ~

Brentwood, Tennessee, April 25, 2007 – Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest retail farm and ranch store chain in the United States, today announced financial results for its first fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2007.

First Quarter Results
Net sales increased 20.3% to $559.8 million from $465.5 million in the prior year. Same-store sales increased 8.5% compared with last year’s 3.7% gain. The Company’s same-store sales improvement was strongest in winter-related merchandise such as insulated outerwear, snow removal and heating products as well as in the apparel and animal health categories. These results were driven primarily by cold weather during January and February in the northern and midwestern states.

Gross profit increased 18.4% to $168.2 million from $142.0 million in the prior year. As a percent of sales, gross profit decreased 50 basis points to 30.0% compared to the prior year, largely as a result of seasonal markdowns, product mix, and increased freight costs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 26.3% of sales compared to 28.0% last year. The expense leverage is a result of the strong sales and a planned decrease in pre-opening and marketing expenses, some of which will shift into the second quarter.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $12.0 million from $9.6 million in the prior year, related to new store growth and capital costs for infrastructure and technology. The Company’s effective income tax rate increased to 37.9% compared to 37.1% in the prior year, largely due to state taxes relating to the composition of income among the states and the adoption of FIN 48 relating to uncertainties in income tax positions.

Net income for the quarter was $5.0 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, compared to $0.5 million, or $0.01 per diluted share in the prior year. During the quarter, the Company repurchased 413,492 shares of its stock for approximately $21.3 million as part of its previously announced $200 million share repurchase program.

The Company opened 22 new stores and relocated seven stores in the first quarter compared to 29 new and five relocated stores in the prior year’s first quarter.

Jim Wright, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “With very favorable business conditions during the quarter, we were pleased to deliver record first quarter sales and earnings. As we previously reported, we experienced strong sales in both our core merchandise categories and our seasonal merchandise. With our focus on closely managing inventory levels, we achieved a solid sell-through of winter merchandise during the quarter and are well-positioned with our core and spring merchandise inventory heading into our key second quarter.”

Company Outlook
The Company reaffirmed its fiscal 2007 net sales expectations of $2.7 billion to $2.75 billion. Same-store sales for the year are expected to increase approximately 3.0% to 4.5%. The Company also expects full year net earnings to range from $2.49 to $2.56 per diluted share.

Mr. Wright concluded, “Our capacity to serve the unique needs of our customers and their lifestyles differentiates our stores from other retailers. We will remain focused on growing our store base, refining our merchandise offering, enhancing our store environment and expanding our customer service initiatives to continue driving our financial performance and delivering long-term shareholder value.”

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 simultaneously broadcast over the Internet on the Company’s homepage at www.myTSCstore.com and can be accessed under the subheading “Investor Relations.

About Tractor Supply Company
At March 31, 2007, Tractor Supply Company operated 698 stores in 37 states and one Canadian province. 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, animal and pet products, including everything necessary for their health, care, growth and containment; (2) maintenance products for agricultural and rural use; (3) hardware and tool products; (4) seasonal products, including lawn and garden power equipment; (5) truck, trailer and towing products; and (6) work clothing for the entire family.

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 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 general economic cycles affecting consumer spending, weather factors, operating factors affecting customer satisfaction, consumer debt levels, inflation, pricing and other competitive factors, the ability to attract, train and retain qualified employees, the ability to manage growth and identify suitable locations and negotiate favorable lease agreements on new and relocated stores, the timing and acceptance of new products in the stores, the mix of goods sold, the continued availability of favorable credit sources, capital market conditions in general, the ability to increase sales at existing stores, the ability to retain vendors, reliance on foreign suppliers, management of its information systems and the seasonality of the Company’s business. 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)

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Results of Operations
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                 
    FIRST QUARTER ENDED                    
    March 31, 2007           April 1, 2006 *        
            (unaudited)                
 
            %               %  
 
          of Sales           of Sales
 
                               
Net sales
  $ 559,832       100.0 %   $ 465,547       100.0 %
Cost of merchandise sold
    391,652       70.0       323,552       69.5  
 
                               
Gross profit
    168,180       30.0       141,995       30.5  
Operating expenses:
                               
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    147,187       26.3       130,631       28.0  
Depreciation and amortization
    12,013       2.1       9,623       2.1  
 
                               
Operating income
    8,980       1.6       1,741       0.4  
Interest expense, net
    925       0.2       907       0.2  
 
                               
Income before income taxes
    8,055       1.4       834       0.2  
Income tax expense
    3,056       0.5       309       0.1  
 
                               
Net income
  $ 4,999       0.9 %   $ 525       0.1 %
 
                               
Net income per share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.12             $ 0.01          
 
                               
Diluted
  $ 0.12             $ 0.01          
 
                               
Weighted average shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    40,228               39,698          
Diluted
    41,083               41,016          

* Reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

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Balance Sheet

(in thousands)

                 
    March 31,   April 1,
    2007   2006 *
    (unaudited)        
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 35,786     $ 39,621  
Inventories
    722,928       625,015  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    32,458       37,198  
Deferred income taxes
    10,952       11,135  
 
               
Total current assets
    802,124       712,969  
Property and equipment, net
    305,975       268,502  
Goodwill
    10,258       12,436  
Deferred income taxes
    10,281       9,048  
Other assets
    7,309       5,837  
 
               
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 1,135,947     $ 1,008,792  
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 336,280     $ 313,112  
Accrued expenses
    110,551       96,599  
Current portion of capital lease obligations
    975       1,370  
Income taxes currently payable
    1,934        
 
               
Total current liabilities
    449,740       411,081  
Revolving credit loan
    53,418       64,702  
Capital lease obligations
    2,602       3,184  
Other long-term liabilities
    44,861       37,729  
 
               
Total liabilities
    550,621       516,696  
 
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock
    323       319  
Additional paid-in capital
    133,860       112,941  
Treasury stock
    (21,332 )      
Other comprehensive loss
    (26 )     (36 )
Retained earnings
    472,501       378,872  
 
               
Total stockholders’ equity
    585,326       492,096  
 
               
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 1,135,947     $ 1,008,792  
 
               

* Inventory and accounts payable balances have been adjusted to conform to the current period presentation.

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Selected Financial and Operating Information

                 
    FIRST QUARTER    
    ENDED    
    March 31,   April 1,
    2007   2006
    (unaudited)        
Sales Information:
               
 
               
Same-store sales increase
    8.5 %     3.7 %
Non-comp sales (% of total sales)
    12.0 %     16.2 %
Average transaction value
  $ 41.40     $ 40.44  
Comp average transaction count increase
    1.3 %     4.4 %
Comp transaction count increase (decrease)
    7.1 %     (0.4 )%
Store Count Information:
               
 
               
Beginning of quarter
    676       595  
New stores opened
    22       29  
End of quarter
    698       624  
Relocated stores
    7       5  
Pre-opening costs (000’s)
  $ 2,075     $ 3,037  
Balance Sheet Information:
               
 
               
Average inventory per store (000’s) (a)
  $ 1,030     $ 995  
Inventory turns (annualized)
    2.31       2.32  
Financed inventory (a)
    43.5 %     48.2 %
(a) assumes average inventory cost, excluding inventory in transit
               

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