Islay Capital Management LLC Boosts Stake in Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO)

Islay Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO - Free Report) by 407.2% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 19,100 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after purchasing an additional 15,334 shares during the quarter. Islay Capital Management LLC's holdings in Tractor Supply were worth $1,013,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of TSCO. Smithfield Trust Co raised its stake in shares of Tractor Supply by 286.2% during the fourth quarter. Smithfield Trust Co now owns 475 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 352 shares in the last quarter. PrairieView Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Tractor Supply by 400.0% in the 4th quarter. PrairieView Partners LLC now owns 500 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the period. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Tractor Supply by 400.0% during the fourth quarter. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC now owns 500 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. Archer Investment Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Tractor Supply by 400.0% in the 4th quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 500 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kentucky Trust Co purchased a new stake in Tractor Supply in the fourth quarter valued at $27,000. 98.72% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Tractor Supply Stock Down 1.1 %

Shares of NASDAQ TSCO traded down $0.55 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $50.83. 2,482,460 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,117,803. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $54.18 and its 200-day simple moving average is $55.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a current ratio of 1.43 and a quick ratio of 0.20. The company has a market cap of $27.02 billion, a PE ratio of 24.76, a P/E/G ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.88. Tractor Supply has a twelve month low of $46.97 and a twelve month high of $61.53.

Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The specialty retailer reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.28 by ($1.84). Tractor Supply had a return on equity of 49.01% and a net margin of 7.40%. Research analysts predict that Tractor Supply will post 2.17 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Tractor Supply announced that its board has approved a stock repurchase program on Thursday, February 13th that allows the company to repurchase $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization allows the specialty retailer to repurchase up to 3.3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase programs are generally a sign that the company's leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Tractor Supply Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 11th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 26th were paid a $0.92 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 26th. This is a positive change from Tractor Supply's previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. This represents a $3.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.24%. Tractor Supply's payout ratio is currently 45.10%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Tractor Supply

In other news, EVP Melissa Kersey sold 9,300 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.17, for a total value of $494,481.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 34,961 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,858,876.37. This trade represents a 21.01 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Harry A. Lawton III sold 88,095 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.59, for a total transaction of $4,809,106.05. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 488,852 shares in the company, valued at $26,686,430.68. The trade was a 15.27 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 137,993 shares of company stock valued at $7,538,068 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.24% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Guggenheim reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $60.00 price target on shares of Tractor Supply in a research report on Friday, January 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Tractor Supply from $58.00 to $59.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Tractor Supply from $262.00 to $52.00 and set an "equal weight" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, December 30th. Telsey Advisory Group reissued an "outperform" rating and set a $67.00 target price on shares of Tractor Supply in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. Finally, Loop Capital upped their price target on Tractor Supply from $53.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a "hold" rating in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, twelve have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Tractor Supply presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $59.07.

Tractor Supply Profile

Tractor Supply Company operates as a rural lifestyle retailer in the United States. The company offers various merchandise, including livestock and equine feed and equipment, poultry, fencing, and sprayers and chemicals; food, treats, and equipment for dogs, cats, and other small animals, as well as dog wellness products; seasonal and recreation products comprising tractors and riders, lawn and garden, bird feeding, power equipment, and other recreational products; truck, tool, and hardware products, such as truck accessories, trailers, generators, lubricants, batteries, and hardware and tools; and clothing, gift, and décor products consist of clothing, footwear, toys, snacks, and decorative merchandise.