Tractor Supply - 10-Q quarterly report FY2018 Q1

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)



ý	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



For the quarterly period ended	March 31, 2018



o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



For the transition period from		to

Commission file number 000-23314

TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)



Delaware		13-3139732
(State or Other Jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)

5401 Virginia Way, Brentwood, Tennessee		37027
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

Not Applicable		(615) 440-4000
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)		(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

YES þ NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

YES þ NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.



Large accelerated filer	þ	Accelerated filer	o
Non-accelerated filer	o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	o
		Emerging growth company	o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.)

YES o NO þ

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.



Class		Outstanding at April 28, 2018
Common Stock, $.008 par value		122,050,289

TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

INDEX



		Page No.

PART I.	Financial Information	3
Item 1.	Financial Statements	3
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) - March 31, 2018, December 30, 2017 and April 1, 2017	3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) – For the Fiscal Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) – For the Fiscal Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017	5
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) – For the Fiscal Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017	6
	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	16
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	23
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	23

PART II.	Other Information	24
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	24
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	24
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	24
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	24
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	24
Item 5.	Other Information	24
Item 6.	Exhibits	25
Signature		26

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)



	March 31, 2018			December 30, 2017			April 1, 2017
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	132,398		$	109,148		$	72,701
Inventories	1,760,065			1,453,208			1,657,761
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	86,815			88,252			86,459
Income taxes receivable	4,815			4,760			7,339
Total current assets	1,984,093			1,655,368			1,824,260
Property and equipment:
Land	99,336			99,336			96,535
Buildings and improvements	1,055,487			1,037,730			975,155
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	611,504			605,957			578,352
Computer software and hardware	273,104			266,898			231,091
Construction in progress	98,595			83,816			26,067
Property and equipment, gross	2,138,026			2,093,737			1,907,200
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,087,627		)	(1,049,234		)	(950,163		)
Property and equipment, net	1,050,399			1,044,503			957,037
Goodwill and other intangible assets	124,492			124,492			125,717
Deferred income taxes	18,585			18,494			46,829
Other assets	30,218			25,912			22,559
Total assets	$	3,207,787		$	2,868,769		$	2,976,402
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	732,524		$	576,568		$	563,525
Accrued employee compensation	23,274			31,673			21,049
Other accrued expenses	200,053			201,656			187,247
Current portion of long-term debt	25,000			25,000			12,500
Current portion of capital lease obligations	3,545			3,545			1,356
Income taxes payable	29,539			10,772			31,407
Total current liabilities	1,013,935			849,214			817,084
Long-term debt	679,565			401,069			598,919
Capital lease obligations, less current maturities	31,717			32,617			25,525
Deferred rent	106,542			105,906			101,001
Other long-term liabilities	62,783			61,290			54,375
Total liabilities	1,894,542			1,450,096			1,596,904
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value; 40 shares authorized; no shares issued	—			—			—
Common stock, $0.008 par value; 400,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2018, December 30, 2017 and April 1, 2017; 170,498, 170,375 and 170,093 shares issued; 123,059, 125,303 and 129,349 shares outstanding at March 31, 2018, December 30, 2017 and April 1, 2017, respectively	1,364			1,363			1,361
Additional paid-in capital	728,588			716,228			683,012
Treasury stock – at cost, 47,439, 45,072 and 40,744 shares at March 31, 2018, December 30, 2017 and April 1, 2017, respectively	(2,288,364		)	(2,130,901		)	(1,876,045		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	5,190			3,358			1,673
Retained earnings	2,866,467			2,828,625			2,569,497
Total stockholders’ equity	1,313,245			1,418,673			1,379,498
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,207,787		$	2,868,769		$	2,976,402

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)



	For the Fiscal Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2018		April 1, 2017
Net sales	$	1,682,901	$	1,564,078
Cost of merchandise sold	1,119,252		1,045,875
Gross profit	563,649		518,203
Selling, general and administrative expenses	426,113		382,114
Depreciation and amortization	42,787		39,727
Operating income	94,749		96,362
Interest expense, net	4,468		2,777
Income before income taxes	90,281		93,585
Income tax expense	18,848		33,274
Net income	$	71,433	$	60,311

Net income per share – basic	$	0.57	$	0.46
Net income per share – diluted	$	0.57	$	0.46

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	124,477		130,276
Diluted	125,174		131,090

Dividends declared per common share outstanding	$	0.27	$	0.24

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)



	For the Fiscal Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2018		April 1, 2017
Net income	$	71,433	$	60,311

Other comprehensive income:
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes	1,832		281
Total other comprehensive income	1,832		281
Total comprehensive income	$	73,265	$	60,592

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)



	For the Fiscal Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2018			April 1, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	71,433		$	60,311
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	42,787			39,727
Loss on disposition of property and equipment	94			179
Share-based compensation expense	8,567			7,557
Deferred income taxes	(91		)	(1,611		)
Change in assets and liabilities:
Inventories	(306,857		)	(288,105		)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,437			4,098
Accounts payable	155,956			44,003
Accrued employee compensation	(8,399		)	(4,197		)
Other accrued expenses	(5,226		)	(28,144		)
Income taxes	18,712			22,266
Other	(276		)	2,258
Net cash used in operating activities	(21,863		)	(141,658		)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(45,144		)	(34,883		)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	13			28
Net cash used in investing activities	(45,131		)	(34,855		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under debt facilities	375,000			475,000
Repayments under debt facilities	(96,250		)	(137,500		)
Debt issuance costs	(346		)	—
Principal payments under capital lease obligations	(900		)	(332		)
Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations	(569		)	(653		)
Repurchase of common stock	(157,463		)	(114,547		)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	4,363			4,593
Cash dividends paid to stockholders	(33,591		)	(31,263		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	90,244			195,298
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	23,250			18,785
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	109,148			53,916
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	132,398		$	72,701

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest	$	2,534		$	2,125
Income taxes	789			12,739

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities:
Property and equipment acquired through capital lease	$	—		$	—
Non-cash accruals for construction in progress	12,270			12,044

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 – General:

Nature of Business

Founded in 1938, Tractor Supply Company (the “Company” or “we” or “our”) is the largest operator of rural lifestyle retail stores in the United States (“U.S.”). The Company is focused on supplying the needs of recreational farmers and ranchers and those who enjoy the rural lifestyle (which we refer to as the “Out Here” lifestyle), as well as tradesmen and small businesses. Stores are located in towns outlying major metropolitan markets and in rural communities. The Company also owns and operates Petsense LLC (“Petsense”), a small-box pet specialty supply retailer focused on meeting the needs of pet owners, primarily in small and mid-sized communities, and offering a variety of pet products and services. At March 31, 2018, the Company operated a total of 1,872 retail stores in 49 states (1,700 Tractor Supply and Del’s retail stores and 172 Petsense retail stores) and also offered an expanded assortment of products online at TractorSupply.com and Petsense.com.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. These statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017. The results of operations for our interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full fiscal year.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company adopted accounting guidance which allows for a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as discussed in Note 12. This guidance was applied retrospectively which resulted in the reclassification of $0.6 million from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 30, 2017. No other periods presented were affected by the adoption of this accounting guidance.

Note 2 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments:

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term receivables, trade payables, debt instruments and interest rate swaps. Due to their short-term nature, the carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, short-term receivables and trade payables approximate current fair value at each balance sheet date. The Company had $706.3 million in borrowings under its debt facilities (as discussed in Note 5) at March 31, 2018, $427.5 million in borrowings at December 30, 2017, and $612.5 million in borrowings at April 1, 2017. Based on market interest rates (Level 2 inputs), the carrying value of borrowings in our debt facilities approximate fair value for each period reported. The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps is determined based on the present value of expected future cash flows using forward rate curves (a Level 2 input). As described in further detail in Note 6, the fair value of the interest rate swaps, excluding accrued interest, was a $7.6 million asset at March 31, 2018, a $5.2 million asset at December 30, 2017 and a $3.3 million asset at April 1, 2017.

Note 3 – Share-Based Compensation:

Share-based compensation includes stock options, restricted stock units, performance-based restricted share unit awards and certain transactions under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). Share-based compensation expense is recognized based on grant date fair value of all stock options, restricted stock units and performance-based restricted share unit awards plus a discount on shares purchased by employees as a part of the ESPP.

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There were no significant modifications to the Company’s share-based compensation plans during the fiscal three months ended March 31, 2018; however, effective May 10, 2018, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan replacing the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan. Following the adoption of the 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan, no further grants may be made under the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan. The maximum number of shares of common stock with respect to which awards may be granted under the 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan is 12,562,318. Under our 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan, awards may be granted to officers, non-employee directors, other employees and independent contractors. The per share exercise price of options granted shall not be less than the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant and such awards will expire no later than ten years from the date of grant. Vesting of awards commences at various anniversary dates following the dates of grant and certain awards will vest only upon established performance conditions being met.

For the first quarters of fiscal 2018 and 2017, share-based compensation expense was $8.6 million and $7.6 million, respectively.

Stock Options

The following table summarizes information concerning stock option grants during the first three months of fiscal 2018 and 2017:



	Fiscal three months ended
	March 31, 2018		April 1, 2017
Stock options granted	654,920		1,499,549
Weighted average exercise price	$	67.28	$	73.18
Weighted average fair value per option	$	14.86	$	14.75

As of March 31, 2018, total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock options was approximately $23.7 million with a remaining weighted average expense recognition period of 1.9 years.

Restricted Stock Units and Performance-Based Restricted Share Units

The following table summarizes information concerning restricted stock unit and performance-based restricted share unit grants during the first three months of fiscal 2018 and 2017:



	Fiscal three months ended
	March 31, 2018		April 1, 2017
Restricted stock units granted	274,339		63,915
Performance-based restricted share units granted	39,330		$	—
Weighted average fair value per share	$	63.30	$	69.30

During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company granted awards that are subject to the achievement of specified performance goals. The performance metrics for the units are growth in net sales and growth in earnings per diluted share. The number of performance-based restricted share units presented in the foregoing table represent the shares that can be achieved at the performance metric target value. The actual number of shares that will be issued under the performance share awards, which may be higher or lower than the target, will be determined by the level of achievement of the performance goals. If the performance targets are achieved, the units will vest on a pro rata basis over a three-year period.

As of March 31, 2018, total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock units and non-vested performance-based restricted share units was approximately $20.8 million with a remaining weighted average expense recognition period of 2.5 years.

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Note 4 – Net Income Per Share:

The Company presents both basic and diluted net income per share on the face of the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income. Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average diluted shares outstanding. Dilutive shares are computed using the treasury stock method for share-based awards. Performance-based restricted share units are included in diluted shares only if the related performance conditions are considered satisfied as of the end of the reporting period. Net income per share is calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):



	Fiscal three months ended					Fiscal three months ended
	March 31, 2018					April 1, 2017
	Income		Shares	Per Share Amount		Income		Shares	Per Share Amount
Basic net income per share:	$	71,433	124,477	$	0.57	$	60,311	130,276	$	0.46
Dilutive effect of share-based awards	—		697	—		—		814	—
Diluted net income per share:	$	71,433	125,174	$	0.57	$	60,311	131,090	$	0.46

Anti-dilutive stock options excluded from the above calculations totaled approximately 3.7 million and 2.8 million shares for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017, respectively.

Note 5 – Debt:

The following table summarizes the Company’s outstanding debt as of the dates indicated (in millions):



	March 31, 2018			December 30, 2017			April 1, 2017
Senior Notes	$	150.0		$	150.0		$	—
Senior Credit Facility:
February 2016 Term Loan	175.0			180.0			187.5
June 2017 Term Loan	96.3			97.5			—
Revolving credit loans	285.0			—			425.0
Total outstanding borrowings	706.3			427.5			612.5
Less: unamortized debt issuance costs	(1.7		)	(1.4		)	(1.1		)
Total debt	704.6			426.1			611.4
Less: current portion of long-term debt	(25.0		)	(25.0		)	(12.5		)
Long-term debt	$	679.6		$	401.1		$	598.9

Outstanding letters of credit	$	42.8		$	39.6		$	39.5

Senior Notes

On August 14, 2017, the Company entered into a note purchase and private shelf agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell $150 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due August 14, 2029 (the “2029 Notes”) in a private placement. The 2029 Notes bear interest at 3.70% per annum with interest payable semi-annually in arrears on each annual and semi-annual anniversary of the issuance date. The obligations under the Note Purchase Agreement are unsecured, but guaranteed by each of the Company’s material subsidiaries.

The Company may from time to time issue and sell additional senior unsecured notes (the “Shelf Notes”) pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, in an aggregate principal amount of up to $150 million. The Shelf Notes will have a maturity date of no more than 12 years after the date of original issuance and may be issued through August 14, 2020, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement.

Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, the 2029 Notes and any Shelf Notes (collectively, the "Notes") are redeemable by the Company, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, together

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with accrued and unpaid interest thereon and a make whole amount calculated by discounting all remaining scheduled payments on the Notes by the yield on the U.S. Treasury security with a maturity equal to the remaining average life of the Notes plus 0.50%.

Senior Credit Facility

On February 19, 2016, the Company entered into a senior credit facility (the “2016 Senior Credit Facility”) consisting of a $200 million term loan (the “February 2016 Term Loan”) and a $500 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) with a sublimit of $50 million for swingline loans. This agreement is unsecured. On February 16, 2018, the maturity date was extended from

February 19, 2021 to February 19, 2022.

On June 15, 2017, pursuant to an accordion feature available under the 2016 Senior Credit Facility, the Company entered into an incremental term loan agreement (the “June 2017 Term Loan”) which increased the term loan capacity under the 2016 Senior Credit Facility by $100 million. This agreement is unsecured and matures on June 15, 2022.

The February 2016 Term Loan of $200 million requires quarterly payments totaling $10 million per year in years one and two and $20 million per year through the maturity date, with the remaining balance due in full on the maturity date of February 19, 2022. The June 2017 Term Loan of $100 million requires quarterly payments totaling $5 million per year in years one and two and $10 million per year in years three through the maturity date, with the remaining balance due in full on the maturity date of June 15, 2022. The 2016 Senior Credit Facility also contains a $500 million revolving credit facility (with a sublimit of $50 million for swingline loans).

Borrowings under the February 2016 Term Loan and Revolver bear interest at either the bank’s base rate (4.750% at March 31, 2018) or the London Inter-Bank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) (1.883% at March 31, 2018) plus an additional amount ranging from 0.500% to 1.125% per annum (0.625% at March 31, 2018), adjusted quarterly based on our leverage ratio. The Company is also required to pay, quarterly in arrears, a commitment fee for unused capacity ranging from 0.075% to 0.200% per annum (0.100% at March 31, 2018), adjusted quarterly based on the Company’s leverage ratio. Borrowings under the June 2017 Term Loan bear interest at either the bank’s base rate (4.750% at March 31, 2018) or LIBOR (1.883% at March 31, 2018) plus an additional 1.000% per annum. As further described in Note 6, the Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements in order to hedge our exposure to variable rate interest payments associated with each of the term loans under the 2016 Senior Credit Facility.

Proceeds from the 2016 Senior Credit Facility may be used for working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, share repurchases and other matters. There are no compensating balance requirements associated with the 2016 Senior Credit Facility.

Covenants and Default Provisions of the Debt Agreements

The 2016 Senior Credit Facility and the Note Purchase Agreement (collectively, the “Debt Agreements”) require quarterly compliance with respect to two material covenants: a fixed charge coverage ratio and a leverage ratio. Both ratios are calculated on a trailing twelve-month basis at the end of each fiscal quarter. The fixed charge coverage ratio compares earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation and rent expense (“consolidated EBITDAR”) to the sum of interest paid and rental expense (excluding any straight-line rent adjustments). The fixed charge coverage ratio shall be greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.0 as of the last day of each fiscal quarter. The leverage ratio compares rental expense (excluding any straight-line rent adjustments) multiplied by a factor of six plus total debt to consolidated EBITDAR. The leverage ratio shall be less than or equal to 4.00 to 1.0 as of the last day of each fiscal quarter. The Debt Agreements also contain certain other restrictions regarding additional indebtedness, capital expenditures, business operations, guarantees, investments, mergers, consolidations and sales of assets, prepayment of debts, transactions with subsidiaries or affiliates, and liens. As of March 31, 2018, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

The Debt Agreements contain customary events of default, including payment defaults, breaches of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to other material indebtedness, certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency, material judgments, certain ERISA events and invalidity of loan documents. Upon certain changes of control, payment under the Debt Agreements could become due and payable. In addition, under the Note Purchase Agreement, upon an event of default or change of control, the make whole payment described above may become due and payable.

The Note Purchase Agreement also requires that, in the event the Company amends its 2016 Senior Credit Facility, or any subsequent credit facility of $100 million or greater, such that it contains covenant or default provisions that are not provided in the Note Purchase Agreement or that are similar to those contained in the Note Purchase Agreement but which contain percentages, amounts, formulas or grace periods that are more restrictive than those set forth in the Note Purchase Agreement or are otherwise more beneficial to the lenders thereunder, the Note Purchase Agreement shall be automatically amended to include such additional or amended covenants and/or default provisions.

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Note 6 – Interest Rate Swaps:

The Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement which became effective on March 31, 2016, with a maturity date of February 19, 2021. The notional amount of this swap agreement began at $197.5 million (the principal amount of the February 2016 Term Loan borrowings as of March 31, 2016) and will amortize at the same time and in the same amount as the February 2016 Term Loan borrowings as described in Note 5, up to the maturity date of the interest rate swap agreement on February 19, 2021. As of March 31, 2018, the notional amount of the interest rate swap was $175.0 million.

The Company entered into a second interest rate swap agreement which became effective on June 30, 2017, with a maturity date of June 15, 2022. The notional amount of this swap agreement began at $100 million (the principal amount of the June 2017 Term Loan borrowings as of June 30, 2017) and will amortize at the same time and in the same amount as the June 2017 Term Loan borrowings as described in Note 5. As of March 31, 2018, the notional amount of the interest rate swap was $96.3 million.

The Company’s interest rate swap agreements are executed for risk management and are not held for trading purposes. The objective of the interest rate swap agreements is to mitigate interest rate risk associated with future changes in interest rates. To accomplish this objective, the interest rate swap agreements are intended to hedge the variable cash flows associated with the variable rate term loan borrowings under the 2016 Senior Credit Facility. Both interest rate swap agreements entitle the Company to receive, at specified intervals, a variable rate of interest based on LIBOR in exchange for the payment of a fixed rate of interest throughout the life of the agreement, without exchange of the underlying notional amount.

The Company has designated its interest rate swap agreements as cash flow hedges and accounts for the underlying activity in accordance with hedge accounting. The interest rate swaps are presented within the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. In accordance with hedge accounting, the effective portion of gains and losses on interest rate swaps that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges are recorded as a component of Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) and reclassified into earnings in the period during which the hedged transactions affect earnings. The ineffective portion of gains and losses on interest rate swaps, if any, are recognized in current earnings.

The assets and liabilities measured at fair value related to the Company’s interest rate swaps, excluding accrued interest, were as follows (in thousands):



	Balance Sheet Location	March 31, 2018		December 30, 2017		April 1, 2017
Interest rate swaps (short-term portion)	Other current assets	$	1,950	$	900	$	101
Interest rate swaps (long-term portion)	Other assets	5,698		4,252		3,183
Total net assets		$	7,648	$	5,152	$	3,284

The offset to the interest rate swap asset or liability is recorded as a component of equity, net of deferred taxes, in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”), and will be reclassified into earnings over the term of the underlying debt as interest payments are made.

The following table summarizes the changes in AOCI, net of tax, related to the Company’s interest rate swaps (in thousands):



	March 31, 2018		December 30, 2017		April 1, 2017
Beginning fiscal year AOCI balance	$	3,358	$	1,392	$	1,392
Current fiscal period gain recognized in OCI	1,832		1,371		281
Amounts reclassified from AOCI into current fiscal period earnings	—		—		—
Reclassification of stranded tax effects to retained earnings ^(a)	—		595		—
Other comprehensive gain, net of tax	1,832		1,966		281
Ending fiscal period AOCI balance	$	5,190	$	3,358	$	1,673

^{(a) AOCI for the period ended December 30, 2017 has been adjusted from previously reported amounts as a result of the adoption of ASU 2018-02 as discussed in Notes 1 and 12.}

As of March 31, 2018, the estimated pre-tax portion of AOCI that is expected to be reclassified into earnings over the next twelve months is $2.0 million. Cash flows related to the interest rate swaps are included in operating activities on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

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The following table summarizes the impact of pre-tax gains and losses derived from the Company’s interest rate swaps (in thousands):



		Fiscal three months ended
	Financial Statement Location	March 31, 2018		April 1, 2017
Effective portion of gains recognized in OCI during the period	Other comprehensive income	$	2,468	$	461
Amounts reclassified from AOCI into earnings	Interest expense, net	—		—
Ineffective portion of gains recognized in earnings during the period	Interest expense, net	28		6

The following table summarizes the impact of taxes affecting AOCI as a result of the Company’s interest rate swaps (in thousands):



	Fiscal three months ended
	March 31, 2018		April 1, 2017
Income tax expense of interest rate swaps on AOCI	$	636	$	180

Credit-risk-related contingent features

In accordance with the underlying interest rate swap agreements, the Company could be declared in default on its interest rate swap obligations if repayment of the underlying indebtedness (i.e. the Company’s term loans) is accelerated by the lender due to the Company's default on such indebtedness.

If the Company had breached any of the provisions in the underlying agreements at March 31, 2018, it could have been required to post full collateral or settle its obligations under the Company’s interest rate swap agreements. However, as of March 31, 2018, the Company had not breached any of these provisions or posted any collateral related to the underlying interest rate swap agreements. Further, as of March 31, 2018, the net balance of each of the Company’s interest rate swaps were in a net asset position and therefore the Company would have no obligation upon default.

Note 7 – Capital Stock and Dividends:

Capital Stock

The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of common stock and preferred stock. The Company is authorized to issue 400 million shares of common stock. The Company is also authorized to issue 40 thousand shares of preferred stock, with such designations, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Dividends

During the first three months of fiscal 2018 and 2017, the Board of Directors declared the following cash dividends:



Date Declared	Dividend Amount Per Share		Record Date	Date Paid
February 7, 2018	$	0.27	February 26, 2018	March 13, 2018

February 8, 2017	$	0.24	February 27, 2017	March 14, 2017

It is the present intention of the Board of Directors to continue to pay a quarterly cash dividend; however, the declaration and payment of future dividends will be determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion and will depend upon the earnings, financial condition and capital needs of the Company, along with other factors that the Board of Directors deems relevant.

On May 9, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.31 per share of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The dividend will be paid on June 12, 2018 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 29, 2018.

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Note 8 – Treasury Stock:

The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized common stock repurchases under a share repurchase program up to $3.0 billion, exclusive of any fees, commissions, or other expenses related to such repurchases through December 31, 2020. The repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased under the program will depend on a variety of factors, including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, capital availability and other market conditions. Repurchased shares are accounted for at cost and will be held in treasury for future issuance. The program may be limited or terminated at any time without prior notice.

The Company repurchased approximately 2.4 million and 1.6 million shares of common stock under the share repurchase program for a total cost of $157.5 million and $114.5 million during the first quarters of fiscal 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had remaining authorization under the share repurchase program of $0.7 billion, exclusive of any fees, commissions or other expenses.

Note 9 – Income Taxes:

The Company’s effective income tax rate decreased to 20.9% in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to 35.6% for the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2018 was lower than the prior year’s first quarter due primarily to the effect of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA”), which was signed into law in December 2017. In addition, the Company’s income taxes were reduced in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 due to the realization of discrete federal and state tax credits.

Under the provisions of the TCJA, the U.S. corporate income tax rate decreased from 35% to 21% effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. We made a reasonable estimate of the effects on our existing deferred tax balances as of December 30, 2017, and recognized a provisional expense amount of $4.9 million, which was included as a component of income tax expense from continuing operations for fiscal 2017. We will recognize any changes to this provisional amount as we refine our estimates of our cumulative temporary differences and interpretations of guidance related to the application of the TCJA.

Note 10 – Commitments and Contingencies:

Construction and Real Estate Commitments

At March 31, 2018, the Company had contractual commitments of approximately $30.0 million related to the ongoing construction of its new distribution center in Frankfort, New York. There were no material commitments related to real estate or construction projects extending greater than twelve months.

Letters of Credit

At March 31, 2018, there were $42.8 million of outstanding letters of credit under the 2016 Senior Credit Facility.

Litigation

The Company is involved in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes that any estimated loss related to such matters has been adequately provided for in accrued liabilities, to the extent probable and reasonably estimable. Accordingly, the Company currently expects these matters will be resolved without material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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Note 11 – Segment Reporting:

The Company has one reportable segment which is the retail sale of products that support the rural lifestyle. The following table indicates the percentage of net sales represented by each major product category during the fiscal three months ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017:



	Fiscal three months ended
Product Category:	March 31, 2018		April 1, 2017
Livestock and Pet	52	%	52	%
Hardware, Tools and Truck	21		21
Seasonal, Gift and Toy Products	16		16
Clothing and Footwear	8		7
Agriculture	3		4
Total	100	%	100	%

Note 12 – New Accounting Pronouncements:

New Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” ASU 2014-09 amends the guidance for revenue recognition to replace numerous, industry-specific requirements and converges areas under this topic with those of the International Financial Reporting Standards. The ASU implements a five-step process for customer contract revenue recognition that focuses on transfer of control, as opposed to transfer of risk and rewards. The amendment also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows from contracts with customers. Other major provisions include the capitalization and amortization of certain contract costs, ensuring the time value of money is considered in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date,” which implemented a one-year deferral of ASU 2014-09. As a result of the deferral, the amendments in ASU 2014-09 are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net),” which further clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing,” which further clarifies the aspects of (a) identifying performance obligations and (b) the licensing implementation guidance. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients,” which provides implementation guidance in regards to (a) assessing the collectability criterion, (b) the presentation of taxes collected from customers, (c) noncash consideration, (d) contract modification at transition, (e) completed contracts at transition and (f) other technical corrections. In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-20, “Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which is intended to clarify the codification and to correct unintended application of guidance pertaining to Topic 606 and other Topics amended by ASU 2014-09 to increase stakeholders’ awareness of the proposals and to expedite improvements to ASU 2014-09. The effective date and transition requirements for ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-12 and ASU 2016-20 are the same as the effective date and transition requirements of ASU 2014-09. Entities that transition to these standards may either retrospectively restate each prior reporting period or reflect the cumulative effect of initially applying the updates with an adjustment to retained earnings at the date of adoption. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method. Based on an evaluation of the standard as a whole, the Company identified customer incentives and principal versus agent considerations as the areas that were principally affected by the new revenue recognition guidance. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting.” This update provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. An entity should account for the effects of a modification unless (a) the fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value of the original award immediately before the original award is modified, (b) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified and (c) the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. The amendments in ASU

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2017-09 are effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period, for public business entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not been issued. The amendments in ASU 2017-09 should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” which allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the TCJA. This guidance is effective for all entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The amendments in ASU 2018-02 should be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the TCJA is recognized. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 using a retrospective application, which resulted in the reclassification of $0.6 million from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 30, 2017. No other periods presented were affected by the adoption of this accounting guidance.

In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118.” The new guidance provides SEC Staff views on income tax accounting implications of the TCJA signed into law in December 2017. The guidance clarifies the measurement period timeframe, changes in subsequent reporting periods and reporting requirements as a result of the TCJA. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. As further discussed in Note 9, the Company recorded a provisional impact of the TCJA in fiscal 2017 and will recognize any changes to this provisional amount as we refine our estimates of our cumulative temporary differences and interpretations of guidance related to the application of the TCJA. The adoption of this guidance has not had, nor is expected to have, a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” This update requires a dual approach for lessee accounting under which a lessee will account for leases as finance leases or operating leases. Both finance leases and operating leases will result in the lessee recognizing a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability on its balance sheet, with differing methodology for income statement recognition. In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, “Leases (Topic 842): Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842”. This update permits an entity to elect an optional transition practical expedient to not evaluate land easements that exist or expired before the entity’s adoption of ASU 2016-02 and that were not accounted for as leases under previous lease guidance. This guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. A modified retrospective approach is required for all leases existing or entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the consolidated financial statements. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities,” which amends and simplifies existing guidance in order to allow companies to more accurately present the economic effects of risk management activities in the financial statements. This update expands and refines hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. Additionally, the amendments in ASU 2017-12 provide new guidance about income statement classification and eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness. This guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The amendments in ASU 2017-12 require that an entity with cash flow or net investment hedges existing at the date of adoption apply a cumulative-effect adjustment to eliminate the separate measurement of ineffectiveness to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year that the entity adopts this guidance. The amended presentation and disclosure guidance should be adopted prospectively. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

General

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017. This Form 10-Q also contains forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements included herein are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). All statements, other than statements of historical facts, which address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including sales and earnings growth, estimated results of operations in future periods, the declaration and payment of dividends, future capital expenditures (including their amount and nature), business strategy, expansion and growth of our business operations and other such matters are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may be affected by certain risks and uncertainties, any one, or a combination of which, could materially affect the results of our operations. To take advantage of the safe harbor provided by the Act, we are identifying certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements, whether oral or written.

As with any business, many aspects of our operations are subject to influences outside our control. These factors include, without limitation, national, regional and local economic conditions affecting consumer spending, the timing and acceptance of new products in the stores, the timing and mix of goods sold, purchase price volatility (including inflationary and deflationary pressures), the ability to increase sales at existing stores, the ability to manage growth and identify suitable locations, failure of an acquisition to produce anticipated results, the ability to successfully manage expenses and execute our key gross margin enhancing initiatives, the availability of favorable credit sources, capital market conditions in general, the ability to open new stores in the manner and number currently contemplated, the impact of new stores on our business, competition, including that from online competitors, weather conditions, the seasonal nature of our business, effective merchandising initiatives and marketing emphasis, the ability to retain vendors, reliance on foreign suppliers, the ability to attract, train and retain qualified employees, product liability and other claims, changes in federal, state or local regulations, 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, ongoing and potential future legal or regulatory proceedings, management of our information systems, failure to develop and implement new technologies, the failure of customer-facing technology systems, business disruption including from the implementation of supply chain technologies, effective tax rate changes and results of examination by taxing authorities, including anticipated effects as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the ability to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, and changes in accounting standards, assumptions and estimates. We discuss in greater detail risk factors relating to our business in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017. Forward-looking statements are based on our knowledge of our business and the environment in which we operate, but because of the factors listed above or other factors, 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 there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on our business and operations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no 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.

Seasonality and Weather

Our business is seasonal. Historically, our sales and profits are the highest in the second and fourth fiscal quarters due to the sale of seasonal products. We experience our highest inventory and accounts payable balances during our first fiscal quarter for purchases of seasonal products to support the higher sales volume of the spring selling season, and again during our third fiscal quarter to support the higher sales volume of the cold-weather selling season. We believe that our business can be more accurately assessed by focusing on the performance of the halves, not the quarters, due to the fact that different weather patterns from year-to-year can shift the timing of sales and profits between quarters, particularly between the first and second fiscal quarters and the third and fourth fiscal quarters.

Historically, weather conditions, including unseasonably warm weather in the fall and winter months and unseasonably cool weather in the spring and summer months, have affected the timing and volume of our sales and results of operations. In addition, extreme weather conditions, including snow and ice storms, flood and wind damage, hurricanes, tornadoes, extreme rain and droughts, have impacted operating results both negatively and positively, depending on the severity and length of these conditions. Our strategy is to manage product flow and adjust merchandise assortments and depth of inventory to capitalize on seasonal demand trends.

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Comparable Store Sales

Comparable store sales are calculated on an annual basis using sales generated from all stores open at least one year and all online sales and exclude certain adjustments to net sales. Stores closed during either of the years being compared are removed from our comparable store sales metrics calculations. Stores relocated during either of the years being compared are not removed from our comparable store sales metrics calculations. If the effect of relocated stores on our comparable store sales metrics calculations became material, we would remove relocated stores from the calculations.

Results of Operations

Fiscal Three Months (First Quarter) Ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017

Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 increased 7.6% to $1.68 billion from $1.56 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Comparable store sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 were $1.62 billion, a 3.7% increase as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The first quarter of fiscal 2018 contained one additional sales day when compared to the prior year first quarter as the Company was open on New Year’s Day for the first time. The additional sales day is estimated to have positively impacted the comparable stores sales performance in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 by approximately 60 basis points. Comparable store sales decreased 2.2% for the first quarter of fiscal 2017.

The comparable store sales results in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 included increases in comparable transaction count of 3.2% and average ticket of 0.5% compared to prior year’s first quarter. The comparable store sales growth in the quarter was broad based across all geographic regions. The increase in comparable store sales was primarily driven by strength in everyday merchandise, including consumable, usable and edible products, along with strong demand for winter seasonal categories. These increases were offset by lower sales of spring and summer seasonal products.

Sales from stores open less than one year were $67.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, which represented a 4.3% increase over first quarter fiscal 2017 net sales. For the first quarter of fiscal 2017, sales from stores open less than one year were $102.8 million, which represented a 7.0% increase over first quarter fiscal 2016 net sales. Petsense stores are considered comparable beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.

The following table summarizes our store growth for the fiscal three months ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017:



	Fiscal three months ended
	March 31, 2018	April 1, 2017
Tractor Supply
Store count, beginning of period	1,685	1,595
New stores opened	15	24
Stores closed	—	(2	)
Store count, end of period	1,700	1,617
Petsense
Store count, beginning of period	168	143
New stores opened	4	9
Stores closed	—	—
Store count, end of period	172	152
Consolidated end of period	1,872	1,769

Stores relocated	—	—

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The following table indicates the percentage of net sales represented by each of our major product categories for the fiscal three months ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017:



	Fiscal three months ended
Product Category:	March 31, 2018		April 1, 2017
Livestock and Pet	52	%	52	%
Hardware, Tools and Truck	21		21
Seasonal, Gift and Toy Products	16		16
Clothing and Footwear	8		7
Agriculture	3		4
Total	100	%	100	%

Gross profit increased 8.8% to $563.6 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 from $518.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2017. As a percent of net sales, gross margin increased 36 basis points to 33.5% for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 from 33.1% for the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The increase in gross margin was primarily driven by strong sell-through of winter seasonal categories, partially offset by an increase in transportation costs from higher carrier rates and diesel fuel costs.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 11.2% to $468.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 from $421.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. As a percent of net sales, SG&A expenses increased 89 basis points to 27.9% in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 from 27.0% in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The increase in SG&A as a percent of net sales was primarily attributable to investments in team member wages at both the stores and distribution centers, higher store level costs due to increased utility and maintenance expenses from colder temperatures and investments in infrastructure to support the Company’s strategic long-term growth initiatives. The Company estimates that approximately 25 basis points of the increase in SG&A as a percent of net sales were attributable to items that are discrete to the first quarter.

The effective income tax rate decreased to 20.9% in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to 35.6% for the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The decrease for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2017 was due primarily to the effect of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was signed into law in December 2017. In addition, income taxes were further reduced in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 by the realization of discrete federal and state tax credits. The Company expects the full fiscal year 2018 effective tax rate to be in a range between 23.0% and 23.5%.

As a result of the foregoing factors, net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2018 increased 18.4% to $71.4 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $60.3 million, or $0.46 per diluted share, for the first quarter of fiscal 2017.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

In addition to normal operating expenses, our primary ongoing cash requirements are for new store expansion, remodeling and relocation programs, distribution facility capacity and improvements, information technology, inventory purchases, repayment of existing borrowings under our debt facilities, share repurchases, cash dividends and selective acquisitions as opportunities arise.

Our primary ongoing sources of liquidity are existing cash balances, cash provided from operations, remaining funds available under our debt facilities, capital and operating leases and normal trade credit. Our inventory and accounts payable levels typically build in the first and third fiscal quarters to support the higher sales volume of the spring and cold-weather selling seasons, respectively.

The Company believes that its existing cash balances, expected cash flow from future operations, funds available under its debt facilities, operating and capital leases and normal trade credit will be sufficient to fund its operations and its capital expenditure needs, including new store openings, store acquisitions, relocations and renovations and distribution facility capacity, through the end of fiscal 2018.

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Working Capital

At March 31, 2018, the Company had working capital of $970.2 million, which increased $164.0 million from December 30, 2017, and decreased $37.0 million from April 1, 2017. The shifts in working capital were attributable to changes in the following components of current assets and current liabilities (in millions):



	March 31, 2018		December 30, 2017		Variance			April 1, 2017		Variance
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	132.4	$	109.1	$	23.3		$	72.7	$	59.7
Inventories	1,760.1		1,453.2		306.9			1,657.8		102.3
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	86.8		88.3		(1.5		)	86.5		0.3
Income taxes receivable	4.8		4.8		—			7.3		(2.5		)
Total current assets	1,984.1		1,655.4		328.7			1,824.3		159.8
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	732.5		576.6		155.9			563.5		169.0
Accrued employee compensation	23.3		31.6		(8.3		)	21.0		2.3
Other accrued expenses	200.1		201.7		(1.6		)	187.3		12.8
Current portion of long-term debt	25.0		25.0		—			12.5		12.5
Current portion of capital lease obligations	3.5		3.5		—			1.4		2.1
Income taxes payable	29.5		10.8		18.7			31.4		(1.9		)
Total current liabilities	1,013.9		849.2		164.7			817.1		196.8
Working capital	$	970.2	$	806.2	$	164.0		$	1,007.2	$	(37.0	)

In comparison to December 30, 2017, working capital as of March 31, 2018, was impacted most significantly by changes in our inventories, accounts payable and cash.


•	The increase in inventories and accounts payable resulted primarily from the purchase of additional inventory to support new store growth as well as an increase in seasonal merchandise to prepare for the spring selling season.


•	The increase in cash is due principally to an increase in net borrowings partially offset by share repurchases, capital expenditures and cash dividends paid to stockholders.

In comparison to April 1, 2017, working capital as of March 31, 2018 was impacted most significantly by changes in accounts payable, inventories and cash.


•	The increase in inventories resulted primarily from the purchase of additional inventory to support new store growth, and a slight increase in average inventory per store to support normal seasonal patterns.


•	Accounts payable increased principally due to additional inventory for new store growth and the timing of payments.


•	The increase in cash is due principally to an increase in net borrowings partially offset by share repurchases, capital expenditures and cash dividends paid to stockholders.

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Debt

The following table summarizes the Company’s outstanding debt as of the dates indicated (in millions):



	March 31, 2018			December 30, 2017			April 1, 2017
Senior Notes	$	150.0		$	150.0		$	—
Senior Credit Facility:
February 2016 Term Loan	175.0			180.0			187.5
June 2017 Term Loan	96.3			97.5			—
Revolving credit loans	285.0			—			425.0
Total outstanding borrowings	706.3			427.5			612.5
Less: unamortized debt issuance costs	(1.7		)	(1.4		)	(1.1		)
Total debt	704.6			426.1			611.4
Less: current portion of long-term debt	(25.0		)	(25.0		)	(12.5		)
Long-term debt	$	679.6		$	401.1		$	598.9

Outstanding letters of credit	$	42.8		$	39.6		$	39.5

For additional information about the Company’s debt and credit facilities, refer to Note 5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Refer to Note 6 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information about the Company’s interest rate swap agreements.

Operating Activities

Operating activities used net cash of $21.9 million and $141.7 million in the first three months of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively. The $119.8 million decrease in net cash used in operating activities in the first three months of fiscal 2018 compared to the first three months of fiscal 2017 is due to changes in the following operating activities (in millions):



	Fiscal three months ended
	March 31, 2018			April 1, 2017			Variance
Net income	$	71.4		$	60.3		$	11.1
Depreciation and amortization	42.8			39.7			3.1
Share-based compensation expense	8.6			7.6			1.0
Deferred income taxes	(0.1		)	(1.6		)	1.5
Inventories and accounts payable	(150.9		)	(244.1		)	93.2
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1.4			4.1			(2.7		)
Accrued expenses	(13.6		)	(32.3		)	18.7
Income taxes	18.7			22.3			(3.6		)
Other, net	(0.2		)	2.3			(2.5		)
Net cash used in operating activities	$	(21.9	)	$	(141.7	)	$	119.8

The $119.8 million decrease in net cash used in operating activities in the first three months of fiscal 2018 compared with the first three months of fiscal 2017 resulted primarily from less cash required due to the timing of receipts and payments in relation to inventory and accounts payable and a net change in accrued expenses due principally to the timing of payments.

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Investing Activities

Investing activities used cash of $45.1 million and $34.9 million in the first three months of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively. The increase in cash used for investing activities primarily reflects an increase in capital expenditures. Capital expenditures for the first three months of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 were as follows (in millions):



	Fiscal three months ended
	March 31, 2018		April 1, 2017
Information technology	$	17.8	$	8.2
Distribution center capacity and improvements	12.4		1.0
New and relocated stores and stores not yet opened	10.5		17.1
Existing stores	4.3		8.6
Corporate and other	0.1		—
Total capital expenditures	$	45.1	$	34.9

The increase in spending on information technology represents continued support of our store growth and our omni-channel platform, as well as improvements in security and compliance, enhancements to our customer relationship management program and other strategic initiatives.

Spending for distribution center capacity and improvements increased due to the construction for the expansion of our distribution center in Waverly, Nebraska, which was completed in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, and the ongoing construction of a new northeast distribution center in Frankfort, New York, which is expected to be operational by the first quarter of fiscal 2019.

In the first three months of fiscal 2018, the Company opened 15 new Tractor Supply stores compared to 24 new Tractor Supply stores during the first three months of fiscal 2017. The Company also opened four new Petsense stores during the first three months of fiscal 2018, compared to nine new Petsense stores during the first three months of fiscal 2017. We expect to open approximately 80 new Tractor Supply stores during fiscal 2018 compared to 101 new Tractor Supply stores in fiscal 2017. We also expect to open approximately 20 new Petsense stores during fiscal 2018 compared to 25 new Petsense stores in fiscal 2017. The reduction in new store openings in fiscal 2018 compared to fiscal 2017 principally reflects a shift in capital allocation toward investments in information technology and supply chain infrastructure to support our strategic long-term growth initiatives.

Financing Activities

Financing activities provided net cash of $90.2 million and $195.3 million in the first three months of fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively. The $105.1 million change in net cash from financing activities in the first three months of fiscal 2018 compared to the first three months of fiscal 2017 is due to changes in the following financing activities (in millions):



	Fiscal three months ended
	March 31, 2018			April 1, 2017			Variance
Net borrowings and repayments under debt facilities	$	278.8		$	337.5		$	(58.7	)
Repurchase of common stock	(157.5		)	(114.5		)	(43.0		)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock	4.4			4.6			(0.2		)
Cash dividends paid to stockholders	(33.6		)	(31.3		)	(2.3		)
Other, net	(1.9		)	(1.0		)	(0.9		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	$	90.2		$	195.3		$	(105.1	)

The $105.1 million change in net cash from financing activities in the first three months of fiscal 2018 compared with the first three months of fiscal 2017 is due to fewer borrowings, net of repayments, under our debt facilities, partially offset by an increase in repurchases of common stock.

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Share Repurchase Program

The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized common stock repurchases under a share repurchase program up to $3.0 billion, exclusive of any fees, commissions or other expenses related to such repurchases, through December 31, 2020. The repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased under the program will depend on a variety of factors, including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, capital availability and other market conditions. Repurchased shares are accounted for at cost and will be held in treasury for future issuance. The program may be limited or terminated at any time without prior notice.

Dividends

During the first three months of fiscal 2018 and 2017, the Board of Directors declared the following cash dividends:



Date Declared	Dividend Amount Per Share		Record Date	Date Paid
February 7, 2018	$	0.27	February 26, 2018	March 13, 2018

February 8, 2017	$	0.24	February 27, 2017	March 14, 2017

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements are limited to operating leases and outstanding letters of credit. The Company typically leases buildings for retail stores rather than acquiring these assets, which allows the Company to utilize financial capital to operate the business rather than invest in fixed assets. Letters of credit allow the Company to purchase inventory, primarily sourced overseas, in a timely manner and support certain risk management programs.

Significant Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

At March 31, 2018, there were $42.8 million of outstanding letters of credit under the 2016 Senior Credit Facility.

Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management’s discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial position and results of operations are based upon its consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make informed estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company’s significant accounting policies, including areas of critical management judgments and estimates, have primary impact on the following financial statement areas:



-	Inventory valuation	-	Income tax contingencies
-	Self-insurance reserves	-	Impairment of long-lived assets
-	Sales tax audit reserve	-	Impairment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets

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See the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017 for a discussion of the Company’s critical accounting policies. The Company’s financial position and/or results of operations may be materially different when reported under different conditions or when using different assumptions in the application of such policies. In the event estimates or assumptions prove to be different from actual amounts, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 12 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for recently adopted accounting pronouncements and recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted as of March 31, 2018.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to interest rate changes, primarily as a result of borrowings under our 2016 Senior Credit Facility (as discussed in Note 5 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements) which bear interest based on variable rates.

As discussed in Note 6 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, we entered into interest rate swap agreements which are intended to mitigate interest rate risk associated with future changes in interest rates for the term loan borrowings under the 2016 Senior Credit Facility. As a result of these interest rate swaps, our exposure to interest rate volatility is minimized. The interest rate swap agreements have been executed for risk management purposes and are not held for trading purposes.

A 1% change in interest rates on our variable rate debt in excess of that amount covered by the interest rate swaps would have affected interest expense by approximately $0.3 million and $0.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017, respectively.

Purchase Price Volatility

Although we cannot determine the full effect of inflation and deflation on our operations, we believe our sales and results of operations are affected by both. We are subject to market risk with respect to the pricing of certain products and services, which include, among other items, grain, corn, steel, petroleum, cotton and other commodities as well as transportation services. Therefore, we may experience both inflationary and deflationary pressure on product cost, which may impact consumer demand and, as a result, sales and gross margin. Our strategy is to reduce or mitigate the effects of purchase price volatility principally by taking advantage of vendor incentive programs, growing economies of scale from increased volume of purchases, adjusting retail prices and selectively buying from the most competitive vendors without sacrificing quality.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We carried out an evaluation required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the 1934 Act) as of March 31, 2018. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2018, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to our risk factors as previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Stock repurchase activity during the first quarter of fiscal 2018 was as follows:



Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs	Maximum Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
December 31, 2017 - January 27, 2018	270,000		$	79.20	270,000	$	848,331,542
January 28, 2018 - February 24, 2018	898,228	^(a)	67.50		890,000	788,280,388
February 25, 2018 - March 31, 2018	1,206,847		62.99		1,206,847	712,278,077
Total	2,375,075		$	66.54	2,366,847	$	712,278,077

^(a) The number of shares purchased and average price paid per share include 8,228 shares withheld from vested restricted stock units to satisfy employees’ minimum statutory tax withholding requirements for the period of January 28, 2018 - February 24, 2018.

Share repurchases were made pursuant to the share repurchase program described under Part I Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations. We expect to implement the balance of the repurchase program through purchases made from time to time either in the open market or through private transactions, in accordance with regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and other applicable legal requirements.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

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Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit

31.1* Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2* Certification of Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


32.1*	Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101

The following financial information from our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter of fiscal 2018, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2018, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2018, December 30, 2017 and April 1, 2017, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the fiscal three months ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal three months ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal three months ended March 31, 2018 and April 1, 2017, and (v) the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

* Filed herewith

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



			TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

Date:	May 10, 2018	By:	/s/ Kurt D. Barton
			Kurt D. Barton
			Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
			(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)

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Tractor Supply - 10-Q quarterly report FY2018 Q1

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