TSCO - Tractor Supply Company (TSCO)

[Huggy Bear]

Second Quarter 2018 Results

Net sales for the second quarter 2018 increased 9.7% to $2.21 billion from $2.02 billion in the second quarter of 2017. Comparable store sales increased 5.6% compared to an increase of 2.2% in the prior year’s second quarter. The comparable store sales results included increases in comparable average ticket of 3.7% and transaction count of 1.8%. The increase in comparable store sales was primarily driven by broad-based strength in everyday merchandise, along with robust growth across spring and summer seasonal categories. All merchandise categories delivered increased comparable store sales, as did all geographic regions.

Gross profit increased 9.2% to $769.4 million from $704.7 million in the prior year’s second quarter, and gross margin decreased 16 basis points to 34.8% from 34.9% in the prior year’s second quarter. The decline in gross margin resulted primarily from an increase in freight expense due to higher carrier rates and increased diesel fuel prices. Partially offsetting these items were the strength of the Company’s price management program and reduced promotional activity.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 11.0% to $496.0 million from $446.8 million in the prior year’s second quarter. As a percent of net sales, SG&A expenses increased 27 basis points to 22.4% from 22.1% in the second quarter of 2017. The increase in SG&A as a percent of net sales was primarily attributable to higher incentive compensation from the strong year-over-year growth in comparable store sales and investments in infrastructure and technology to support the Company’s strategic long-term growth initiatives. These SG&A increases were partially offset by leverage in occupancy and other costs from the increase in comparable store sales.

The effective income tax rate was 22.8% compared to 37.0% in the prior year’s second quarter. The decrease in the effective income tax rate was primarily related to the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was signed into law in December 2017.

Net income increased 29.0% to $207.3 million from $160.6 million and diluted earnings per share increased 35.2% to $1.69 from $1.25 in the second quarter of 2017.

The Company opened 25 new Tractor Supply stores and three new Petsense stores and closed one Petsense store in the second quarter of 2018.

http://ir.tractorsupply.com/file/Index?KeyFile=394369362