Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, today reported record financial results for its fourth quarter (14 weeks) and fiscal year (53 weeks) ended December 31, 2022.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230125005793/en/

• Company Delivered Strong Fourth Quarter Net Sales Increase of 20.7% and Comparable Store Sales Increase of 8.6% Driven by Both Ticket and Transaction Growth
• Fiscal Year Net Sales Increased 11.6%; Fiscal Year Comparable Store Sales Increased 6.3% with Continued Market Share Gains Across Product Categories
• Fourth Quarter Diluted Earnings per Share (“EPS”) Increased 25.9% to $2.43 and Fiscal Year 2022 Diluted EPS Increased 12.8% to $9.71
• Returned $1.11 Billion of Capital to Shareholders in Fiscal Year 2022

“Tractor Supply had another remarkable year in 2022 as we continued to gain market share and advance our strategic initiatives. For the fourth quarter, while we had an incremental benefit from the late December winter storm, our underlying results were at the high end of our expectations. Our strong results throughout 2022 are directly attributable to the dedication of the more than 50,000 Tractor Supply Team Members who are passionate about Life Out Here. The team achieved significant milestones in the history of Tractor Supply including record sales and profitability and executed meaningful investments to enable future growth. In just over two years since introducing our Life Out Here strategy, we have executed Project Fusion in nearly 30% of our store base, built more than 300 garden centers, expanded our digital and supply chain capabilities and grown our Neighbor’s Club membership 47% to more than 28 million members. These investments are resonating with our customers as we exited the year with strong traffic growth,” said Hal Lawton, Chief Executive Officer of Tractor Supply.

Lawton continued, “Tractor Supply’s needs-based, demand-driven business model has stood the test of time with consistent and sustainable growth. As we celebrate our 85^th anniversary this year, our future couldn’t be brighter. With a solid foundation, we plan to build on our momentum in 2023. We believe we have the right strategies to manage through the near-term and to deliver long-term compounding growth and value creation.”

Fourth Quarter 2022 Results

Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2022 increased 20.7% to $4.01 billion from $3.32 billion in the fourth quarter of 2021. The fourth quarter included an extra sales week as part of the Company’s 53-week calendar in 2022, which represented 6.8 percentage points of the 20.7% sales growth. Comparable store sales increased 8.6%, as compared to an increase of 12.7% in the prior year’s fourth quarter, driven by comparable average ticket growth of 6.3% and comparable average transaction count increase of 2.3%. Comparable store sales growth reflects continued strength in every day, needs-based merchandise, including consumable, usable and edible (“C.U.E.”) products, winter seasonal goods and year-round product categories. The Company estimates comparable store sales in the quarter benefited by approximately two percentage points from the late December winter storm. The acquisition of Orscheln Farm and Home in October 2022 added approximately $80 million to net sales in the fourth quarter.

Gross profit increased 21.7% to $1.36 billion from $1.12 billion in the prior year’s fourth quarter, and gross margin increased 28 basis points to 34.0% from 33.8% in the prior year’s fourth quarter. The gross margin rate increase was primarily attributable to the Company’s price management actions and other margin driving initiatives that were able to offset the impact from year-over-year product cost inflation pressures, product mix from the robust growth of C.U.E. products and higher transportation costs.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 21.4% to $1.00 billion from $827.5 million in the prior year’s fourth quarter. As a percent of net sales, SG&A expenses increased 14 basis points to 25.1% from 24.9% in the fourth quarter of 2021. The increase in SG&A as a percent of net sales was primarily attributable to the impact of transaction expenses and early integration costs associated with the Orscheln Farm and Home acquisition. Additionally, the Company’s strategic growth initiatives, including related depreciation and amortization, and investments in team member compensation and benefits contributed to the increase. These items were partially offset by a reduction of COVID-19 response costs and leverage in occupancy and other costs from the increase in comparable store sales.

Operating income increased 22.6% to $359.2 million compared to $293.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. Given the transaction expenses and early integration costs recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022, the impact of the Orscheln Farm and Home acquisition was relatively neutral to operating income in the fourth quarter and reduced the operating margin rate by approximately 20 basis points.

The effective income tax rate improved to 22.4% compared to 22.7% in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Net income increased 22.4% to $270.9 million from $221.3 million, and diluted earnings per share increased 25.9% to $2.43 from $1.93 in the fourth quarter of 2021. The benefit of the 53^rd week contributed approximately $0.16 to diluted EPS.

The Company repurchased approximately 0.4 million shares of its common stock for $92.0 million and paid quarterly cash dividends totaling $101.7 million, returning $193.7 million of capital to shareholders in the fourth quarter of 2022.

The Company opened 39 new Tractor Supply stores and six new Petsense by Tractor Supply stores in the fourth quarter of 2022. In October 2022, Tractor Supply acquired 81 stores from Orscheln Farm and Home that will be rebranded to Tractor Supply by the end of 2023.

Fiscal 2022 Results

Net sales for fiscal 2022 increased 11.6% to $14.20 billion from $12.73 billion in fiscal 2021. The fiscal year included an extra sales week as part of the Company’s 53-week calendar in 2022, which represented 1.8 percentage points of the 11.6% sales growth. Comparable store sales increased 6.3% versus a 16.9% increase in fiscal 2021.

Gross profit increased 11.1% to $4.97 billion from $4.48 billion in fiscal 2021, and gross margin decreased 17 basis points to 35.0% from 35.2% in fiscal 2021.

SG&A expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 11.6% to $3.54 billion from $3.17 billion in fiscal 2021. As a percent of net sales, SG&A expenses were flat at 24.9% compared to fiscal 2021.

Operating income increased 9.8% to $1.43 billion compared to $1.31 billion in fiscal 2021.

The effective income tax rate was 22.5% compared to 22.1% in fiscal 2021.

Net income increased 9.2% to $1.09 billion from $997.1 million, and diluted EPS increased 12.8% to $9.71 from $8.61 in fiscal 2021. The benefit of the 53rd week contributed approximately $0.16 to diluted EPS.

In fiscal 2022, the Company repurchased approximately 3.4 million shares of its common stock for $700.1 million. The Company also paid quarterly cash dividends totaling $409.6 million during fiscal 2022, returning $1.11 billion of capital to shareholders.

During fiscal 2022, the Company opened 63 new Tractor Supply stores and nine new Petsense by Tractor Supply stores and closed one Petsense by Tractor Supply store. In October 2022, Tractor Supply acquired 81 stores from Orscheln Farm and Home that will be rebranded to Tractor Supply by the end of 2023.

Fiscal 2023 Financial Outlook

The Company is providing its financial guidance for fiscal 2023, a 52-week year compared to fiscal 2022, a 53-week year. This outlook is based on what the Company can reasonably predict at this time.

For fiscal 2023, the Company expects the following:

Anticipated capital expenditures include plans in 2023 to open approximately 70 Tractor Supply stores, complete the Orscheln Farm and Home conversions to Tractor Supply, continue the Project Fusion remodels and garden center transformations, and open 10 to 15 new Petsense by Tractor Supply stores. Additionally, the Company celebrated the grand opening of its ninth distribution center on January 18, 2023 and anticipates the build-out of its tenth distribution center in 2023, beginning operations in the spring of 2024.

Conference Call Information

Tractor Supply Company will hold a conference call today, Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 10 a.m. ET, hosted by Hal Lawton, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Kurt Barton, Chief Financial Officer. The call will be webcast live at IR.TractorSupply.com. An investor presentation will be available on the investor relations section of the Company’s website at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call.

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

A replay of the webcast will also be available at IR.TractorSupply.com shortly after the conference call concludes.

About Tractor Supply Company

Tractor Supply 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 50,000 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. As of December 31, 2022, the Company operated 2,066 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states, a consumer mobile app and an e-commerce website at www.TractorSupply.com. In October 2022, Tractor Supply acquired 81 stores from Orscheln Farm and Home that will be rebranded to Tractor Supply by the end of 2023.

Tractor Supply Company also owns and operates Petsense by Tractor Supply, 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. As of December 31, 2022, the Company operated 186 Petsense by Tractor Supply stores in 23 states. For more information on Petsense by Tractor Supply, visit www.Petsense.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding growth and value creation, new store and distribution centers, the Orscheln Farm and Home conversion and financial guidance for 2023, including, net sales, comparable store sales, operating margin rates, net income, diluted earnings per share, capital expenditures and share repurchases. All 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. Forward-looking statements are usually identified by or are associated with such words as “intend,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “optimistic,” “forecasted” and similar terminology. Actual results could vary materially from the expectations reflected in these statements. As with any business, all phases of our operations are subject to facts outside of our control. These factors include, without limitation, national, regional, and local economic conditions affecting consumer spending; the timing and mix of goods sold; purchase price volatility (including inflationary and deflationary pressures), transportation costs, constraints in the supply chain affecting timing and availability of merchandise inventory; the ability to increase sales at existing stores or on our e-commerce platforms; the ability to manage growth and identify suitable locations; the ability to open new stores in the time, manner, and number currently contemplated; economic uncertainty, including rising costs for commodities, raw materials, energy, and finished goods; the ability to successfully manage expenses and to execute our key gross margin enhancing initiatives; the ability to open distribution centers in the anticipated timeframe and within budget; the impact of new stores on our business; competition, including that from online competitors; weather conditions; the seasonal nature of our business; the ability to retain vendors and our reliance on foreign suppliers; the ability to attract, train, and retain qualified employees, as well as increasing labor and benefit costs; rising interest rates; tightening of credit markets; continued domestic impact of global geopolitical unrest, including the heightened risk of cyberattacks as a result of the hostilities between Russia and Ukraine; continued disruption and uncertainty in the supply chain and shipping channels, including potential disruption to domestic transportation channels; the impact of public health issues, such as the ongoing global coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, the timing and acceptance of new products; delays of difficulty in integration following the acquisition of Orscheln Farm and Home (the “Transaction”), the potential for conflicts with regulators if the sale of the Orscheln headquarters and distribution center are delayed, the potential for litigation or governmental investigations relating to the Transaction, the impact of divestitures required as a condition to receipt of required regulatory approvals for the Transaction; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement of an acquisition; significant increases in costs or significant delays associated with new store openings, remodels, relocations, or conversion of Orscheln stores; our ability to meet our sustainability, stewardship, carbon emission, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DE&I”) related Environmental, Social, and Governance (“ESG”) projections, goals, and commitments; the imposition of tariffs on imported products or the disallowance of tax deductions on imported products; potential judgments, fines, legal fees, and other costs; breach of information systems or theft of employee or customer data; 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; severe weather and the effects of climate change. 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, except as required by law.

(Financial tables to follow)

^{Note: Percent of net sales amounts may not sum to totals due to rounding.}

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230125005793/en/

Tractor Supply Company reports record fourth quarter and fiscal year 2022 financial results #TractorSupply #LifeOutHere #Earnings