EX-99.1 2 exhibit1.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1
     
PRESS RELEASE  
For Immediate Release
200 Powell Place
Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
TractorSupply.com
 
Anthony F. Crudele, Chief Financial Officer
Randy Guiler, Director, Investor Relations
(615) 440-4000

Investors: Cara O’Brien/Erica Pettit
Media: Samantha Cohen
Financial Dynamics
(212) 850-5600

TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2009 RESULTS
~ Sales Increased by 12.8% to $650.2 Million ~
~ Same-Store Sales Increased 4.2% ~
~ Earnings per Share of $0.01 vs. Loss per Share of $(0.05) ~

Brentwood, Tennessee, April 22, 2009 – 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 28, 2009.

First Quarter Results
Net sales increased 12.8% to $650.2 million from $576.2 million in the prior year’s first quarter. Same-store sales increased 4.2%, compared with a 6.5% decrease in the prior-year period. This same-store sales increase was primarily driven by the Company’s core consumable categories, including animal and pet-related products. Additionally, same-store sales were positively impacted by approximately 160 basis points due to one additional selling day related to the shift of the Easter holiday from March into April.

Gross margin increased 14.5% to $201.0 million, or 30.9% of sales, compared to $175.5 million, or 30.5% of sales, in the prior year’s first quarter. The improvement in gross margin resulted primarily from lower fuel costs and improved transportation efficiencies.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, including depreciation and amortization, improved slightly to 30.7% of sales for the first quarter of this year compared to 30.8% of sales for the first quarter of last year, primarily due to reduced marketing costs.

Net income for the quarter was $0.5 million, or $0.01 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $2.0 million, or $(0.05) per diluted share, in the first quarter of the prior year. Exclusive of the LIFO provision, net income for the quarter was $2.2 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared to net loss of $0.2 million, or $(0.01) per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2008.

The Company opened 28 new stores, closed one store, and relocated one store in the first quarter compared to 27 new stores and no closed or relocated stores in the prior year’s first quarter.

Jim Wright, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are very pleased to have generated a double-digit top-line increase while improving gross margin and profitability in a challenging macro environment. We experienced a very strong increase in comp transaction count as customers continue to view Tractor Supply Company as a destination for serving their rural lifestyle needs. At the same time, we benefited from our disciplined operational management, as reflected by our inventory productivity improvements and expense leverage for the quarter.”

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Company Outlook
The Company confirmed its fiscal 2009 expectations for net sales to range from $3.2 billion to $3.3 billion, same-store sales to range from a decline of approximately 1.5% to an increase of approximately 1.5%, and net income to range from $2.58 to $2.74 per diluted share.

Mr. Wright concluded, “With a solid start to this year, we are confident we are taking the right steps to continue differentiating our business in the market and executing our retail strategy to win in the current environment and beyond. As we move through the year, we anticipate leveraging our compelling value proposition, strong vendor relationships, and solid financial foundation to navigate the current economic backdrop. Based on the success we have achieved in our unique niche, we have identified additional growth opportunities for the business, including expanding our long-term store target to 1,800 domestic stores, which we believe positions us well to deliver long-term growth and value for our shareholders.”

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 TractorSupply.com and can be accessed under the link “Investor Relations.” The webcast will be archived shortly after the conference call concludes through April 29, 2009.

About Tractor Supply Company
At March 28, 2009, Tractor Supply Company operated 882 stores in 44 states. 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, pet and animal products, including items 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 and towing products; and (6) work/recreational clothing and footwear 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 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 the impact of the current economic cycle on 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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Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                 
    FIRST QUARTER ENDED        
    March 28, 2009           March 29, 2008    
            %           %
            of Sales           of Sales
Net sales
  $ 650,171       100.0 %   $ 576,208       100.0 %
Cost of merchandise sold
    449,135       69.1       400,692       69.5  
 
                               
Gross margin
    201,036       30.9       175,516       30.5  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    183,650       28.2       163,185       28.3  
Depreciation and amortization
    16,201       2.5       14,372       2.5  
 
                               
Income (loss) from operations
    1,185       0.2       (2,041 )     (0.3 )
Interest expense, net
    414       0.1       1,223       0.2  
 
                               
Income (loss) before income taxes
    771       0.1       (3,264 )     (0.5 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    301       0.0       (1,260 )     (0.2 )
 
                               
Net income (loss)
  $ 470       0.1 %   $ (2,004 )     (0.3 )%
 
                               
Net income (loss) per share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.01             $ (0.05 )        
 
                               
Diluted
  $ 0.01             $ (0.05 )        
 
                               
Weighted average shares outstanding (000’s):
                               
Basic
    35,951               37,514          
Diluted
    36,553               37,514          

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Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

                 
    March 28,   March 29,
    2009   2008
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 37,364     $ 17,383  
Inventories
    730,127       746,143  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    33,713       43,065  
Deferred income taxes
    4,142        
 
               
Total current assets
    805,346       806,591  
Property and equipment, net
    364,718       345,124  
Goodwill
    10,258       10,258  
Deferred income taxes
    15,145       18,041  
Other assets
    4,969       6,669  
 
               
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 1,200,436     $ 1,186,683  
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 382,620     $ 360,785  
Accrued expenses
    103,136       98,268  
Current portion of capital lease obligations
    521       724  
Income taxes currently payable
    2,217        
Deferred tax liabilities
          597  
 
               
Total current liabilities
    488,494       460,374  
Revolving credit loan
    40,000       102,500  
Capital lease obligations
    1,694       2,221  
Straight line rent liability
    40,425       32,651  
Other long-term liabilities
    24,161       24,166  
 
               
Total liabilities
    594,774       621,912  
 
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock
    327       326  
Additional paid-in capital
    172,225       155,606  
Treasury stock
    (213,033 )     (152,900 )
Retained earnings
    646,143       561,739  
 
               
Total stockholders’ equity
    605,662       564,771  
 
               
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 1,200,436     $ 1,186,683  
 
               

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

                 
    FIRST QUARTER ENDED
    March 28,   March 29,
    2009   2008
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Net income (loss)
  $ 470     $ (2,004 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    16,201       14,372  
Loss on disposition of property and equipment
    59       55  
Stock compensation expense
    3,302       3,151  
Deferred income taxes
    (3,884 )     (475 )
Change in assets and liabilities :
               
Inventories
    (126,692 )     (110,155 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    7,408       (180 )
Accounts payable
    95,792       102,439  
Accrued expenses
    (10,329 )     (17,333 )
Income taxes currently payable
    3,083       (5,994 )
Other
    1,985       856  
 
               
Net cash used in operating activities
    (12,605 )     (15,268 )
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Capital expenditures
    (18,855 )     (26,492 )
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
    3       12  
 
               
Net cash used in investing activities
    (18,852 )     (26,480 )
 
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Borrowings under revolving credit agreement
    199,576       203,051  
Repayments under revolving credit agreement
    (159,576 )     (155,551 )
Tax benefit of stock options exercised
    316       121  
Principal payments under capital lease obligations
    (132 )     (253 )
Repurchase of common stock
    (9,118 )     (2,851 )
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
    523       914  
 
               
Net cash provided by financing activities
    31,589       45,431  
 
               
Net increase in cash
    132       3,683  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    37,232       13,700  
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 37,364     $ 17,383  
 
               
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
Interest
  $ 363     $ 1,405  
Income taxes
    426       5,182  

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Selected Financial and Operating Information

                 
    FIRST QUARTER    
    ENDED    
    March 28,   March 29,
    2009   2008
    (unaudited)        
Sales Information:
               
 
               
Same-store sales increase (decrease)
    4.2 %     (6.5 )%
Non-comp sales (% of total sales)
    7.6 %     9.3 %
Average transaction value
  $ 40.19     $ 40.61  
Comp average transaction/value decrease
    (1.5 )%     (2.9 )%
Comp average transaction count increase (decrease)
    5.8 %     (3.8 )%
Store Count Information:
               
 
               
Beginning of quarter
    855       764  
New stores opened
    28       27  
Stores closed
    (1 )      
End of quarter
    882       791  
Relocated stores
    1        
Pre-opening costs (000’s)
  $ 2,900     $ 2,380  
LIFO charge (a)
    2,834       2,947  
Balance Sheet Information:
               
 
               
Average inventory per store (000’s) (b)
  $ 881     $ 946  
Inventory turns (annualized)
    2.39       2.21  
Financed inventory (b)
    47.8 %     47.0 %
Treasury shares:
               
Shares purchased (000’s)
    281       77  
Cost (000’s)
  $ 9,118     $ 2,851  
(a) First quarter 2009 LIFO charge is based on a projected annual provision of $14.1 million for
fiscal 2009.
               
(b) Assumes average inventory cost, excluding inventory in transit.
       

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Supplemental LIFO Information
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

                 
    First Quarter Ended
    March 28, 2009   March 29, 2008
LIFO provision, pre tax
  $ 2,834     $ 2,947  
Net income (loss)
  $ 470     $ (2,004 )
LIFO provision, net of tax
    1,728       1,810  
 
               
Net income (loss) without LIFO
  $ 2,198     $ (194 )
 
               
Earnings Per Diluted Share:
               
Net income (loss)
  $ 0.01     $ (0.05 )
LIFO provision, net of tax
    0.05       0.04  
 
               
Net income (loss) without LIFO
  $ 0.06     $ (0.01 )
 
               

The non-GAAP financial information presented herein should be considered supplemental to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. However, we believe that non-GAAP reporting, giving effect to the adjustments shown in the reconciliation above, provides meaningful information and therefore we use it to supplement our GAAP guidance. We have chosen to provide this supplemental information to investors, analysts and other interested parties to enable them to perform additional analyses of operating results, to illustrate the results of operations giving effect to the non-GAAP adjustments shown in the above reconciliations and to provide an additional measure of performance.

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