Tractor Supply Co. said third-quarter net sales rose 5.1% to $3.91 billion from $3.72 billion a year earlier, while comparable store sales increased 0.4% after a 3.9% gain in the prior-year period.
Diluted earnings per share fell to $0.43 from $0.49, and net income dropped 13.3% to $224.7 million from $259.3 million.
Gross profit increased 2.6% to $1.42 billion, but gross margin narrowed to 36.4% from 37.4%.
Selling, general and administrative expenses climbed 6.8% to $1.12 billion, pushing SG&A to 28.6% of sales from 28.1%.
Operating income declined 10.2% to $307.7 million from $342.7 million.
The company’s tax rate rose to 22.1% from 21.0%.
Tractor Supply repurchased about 2.7 million shares for $88.5 million and paid $124.9 million in quarterly dividends, returning $213.4 million to shareholders in the quarter.
Store count also changed sharply: the company opened 23 Tractor Supply stores and closed 74 Petsense stores during the quarter, ending with 2,486 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states and 135 Petsense stores in 21 states.
For fiscal 2026, Tractor Supply reaffirmed its outlook for net sales growth of 2.5% to 3.5%, comparable store sales ranging from down 1% to flat, and earnings per diluted share of $1.78 to $1.88. Today the company's shares have moved -0.67% to a price of $32.69. For the full picture, make sure to review TRACTOR SUPPLY CO /DE/'s 8-K report.
