BRENTWOOD, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO), the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States (the “Company”), today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2024 ended December 28, 2024. Comparison period per share amounts have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the Company’s 5-for-1 stock split, effective December 20, 2024.
- Fourth Quarter Net Sales Increased 3.1% with Comparable Store Sales Increase of 0.6% with Strong Comparable Average Transaction Growth of 2.3%
- Fiscal Year 2024 Net Sales Increased 2.2% with Comparable Store Sales Increase of 0.2%
- Fourth Quarter Diluted Earnings per Share (“EPS”) of $0.44 and Fiscal Year 2024 Diluted EPS of $2.04
- Returned More than $1 Billion to Shareholders through Share Repurchases and Dividends
- Company Provides Fiscal Year 2025 Guidance with Net Sales Growth in the Mid-Single Digits and Diluted EPS Outlook of $2.10 to $2.22
“In 2024, our business performed well in a challenging retail environment, and we made significant progress on our Life Out Here strategy. We achieved numerous milestones during the year, including having about half of our stores in the Project Fusion layout and opening our 10th and largest distribution center. The fundamentals of our business remain strong with ongoing market share gains, record Neighbor’s Club members, digital sales in excess of one billion dollars and high-return new store openings. I extend my sincere gratitude to the more than 50,000 Team Members for their steadfast dedication to upholding our Mission and Values and supporting their communities,” said Hal Lawton, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tractor Supply.
“We enter the back half of the decade with momentum and opportunity. Our existing initiatives are creating value and have continued runway for growth. Our recently announced Life Out Here 2030 strategy represents significant opportunities to continue to gain market share in a growing total addressable market. Our acquisition of Allivet, a leading online pet pharmacy, is a great example of unlocking new opportunities for growth. We expect our 2025 comparable store sales to improve throughout the year as the macro headwinds impacting our business abate. We remain excited about our bright future and are committed to delivering sustained long-term value creation for our shareholders," said Lawton.
Fourth Quarter 2024 Results
Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2024 increased 3.1% to $3.77 billion from $3.66 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase in net sales was driven by new store openings and growth in comparable store sales. Comparable store sales increased 0.6%, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, driven by a comparable average transaction count increase of 2.3%, partially offset by a comparable average ticket decrease of 1.7%. All merchandise categories performed within a relatively tight band. The growth of consumable, usable and edible products was in line with the chain average as positive unit growth was offset by average unit price pressure.
Gross profit increased 2.8% to $1.33 billion from $1.29 billion in the prior year’s fourth quarter, and gross margin decreased 9 basis points to 35.2% from 35.3% in the prior year’s fourth quarter. The Company was lapping its most difficult gross margin comparison with 129 basis-points of expansion in the prior year.
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 5.5% to $1.01 billion from $958.8 million in the prior year’s fourth quarter. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses increased 60 basis points to 26.8% from 26.2% in the fourth quarter of 2023. The increase in SG&A as a percent of net sales was primarily attributable to planned growth investments including higher depreciation and the onboarding of a new distribution center and modest deleverage of the Company’s fixed costs given the level of comparable store sales growth. These factors were partially offset by a disciplined focus on productivity, ongoing cost control and modest benefits from the Company’s ongoing sale-leaseback strategy.
Operating income was $318.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $334.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.
The effective income tax rate was 21.5% compared to 23.1% in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Net income decreased 4.6% to $236.4 million from $247.9 million. Diluted EPS decreased 3.3% to $0.44 compared to $0.46 in the fourth quarter of 2023.
The Company repurchased approximately 2.7 million shares of its common stock for $154.4 million and paid quarterly cash dividends totaling $117.3 million, returning a total of $271.7 million of capital to shareholders in the fourth quarter of 2024.
The Company opened 26 new Tractor Supply stores and four Petsense by Tractor Supply stores in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Fiscal Year 2024 Results
Net sales for fiscal 2024 increased 2.2% to $14.88 billion from $14.56 billion in fiscal 2023. Comparable store sales increased 0.2% compared to fiscal 2023.
Gross profit increased 3.2% to $5.40 billion from $5.23 billion in fiscal 2023, and gross margin increased 34 basis points to 36.3% from 35.9% in fiscal 2023.
SG&A expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 4.8% to $3.93 billion from $3.75 billion in fiscal 2023. As a percent of net sales, SG&A expenses increased 63 basis points to 26.4% from 25.8% in fiscal 2023.
Operating income decreased 0.8% to $1.47 billion compared to $1.48 billion in fiscal 2023.
The effective income tax rate was 22.1% compared to 22.7% in fiscal 2023.
Net income decreased 0.5% to $1.10 billion from $1.11 billion, and diluted EPS increased 1.1% to $2.04 from $2.02 in fiscal 2023.
In fiscal 2024, the Company repurchased approximately 10.6 million shares of its common stock for $560.8 million. The Company also paid quarterly cash dividends totaling $472.5 million during fiscal 2024, returning $1.03 billion of capital to shareholders.
During fiscal 2024, the Company opened 80 new Tractor Supply stores and 11 new Petsense by Tractor Supply stores and closed three Petsense by Tractor Supply stores.
Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Outlook
The Company is providing its financial guidance for fiscal 2025. This outlook is based on what the Company can reasonably predict at this time.
For fiscal 2025, the Company expects the following:
| Net Sales | +5% to +7% |
| Comparable Store Sales | +1% to +3% |
| Operating Margin Rate | 9.6% to 10.0% |
| Net Income | $1.12 billion to $1.18 billion |
| Earnings per Diluted Share | $2.10 to $2.22 |
| Capital Expenditures, Net of Sale Leaseback Proceeds | $650 million to $725 million |
| Share Repurchases | $525 million to $600 million |
The Company’s operating margin outlook reflects 15 to 20 basis points of investments for its Life Out Here 2030 strategic initiatives. Capital plans for 2025 include opening a total of approximately 90 Tractor Supply stores, continuing Project Fusion remodels and garden center transformations, building its 11th distribution center and opening a total of 10 new Petsense by Tractor Supply stores. The fiscal year 2025 guidance includes benefits from the Company’s acquisition of Allivet and ongoing sale-leaseback transactions which the Company anticipates will be in line with the prior year’s transactions.
Conference Call Information
Tractor Supply Company will hold a conference call today, Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 10 a.m. ET. 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
For more than 85 years, Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ: TSCO) has been passionate about serving the needs of recreational farmers, ranchers, homeowners, gardeners, pet enthusiasts and all those who enjoy living Life Out Here. Tractor Supply is the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the U.S., ranking 293 on the Fortune 500. The Company’s more than 50,000 Team Members are known for delivering legendary service and helping customers pursue their passions, whether that means being closer to the land, taking care of animals or living a hands-on, DIY lifestyle. In store and online, Tractor Supply provides what customers need – anytime, anywhere, any way they choose at the low prices they deserve.
As part of the Company’s commitment to caring for animals of all kinds, Tractor Supply is proud to include Petsense by Tractor Supply, a pet specialty retailer, and Allivet, a leading online pet pharmacy, in its family of brands. Together, Tractor Supply is able to provide comprehensive solutions for pet care, livestock wellness and rural living, ensuring customers and their animals thrive. From its stores to the customer’s doorstep, Tractor Supply is here to serve and support Life Out Here.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding market share gains, value creation, customer trends, new stores and distribution centers, property development plans, return of capital, and financial guidance for 2025, including net sales, comparable store sales, operating margin rates, net income, earnings per diluted share, capital expenditures and plans, share repurchase, and sale-leaseback transactions. All forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, 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 “will,” “would,” “intend,” “expect,” “continue,” “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, those factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Reports or Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 28, 2024. 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, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, 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)