Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO) Shares Bought by United Capital Financial Advisors LLC

United Capital Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO - Free Report) by 287.1% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 268,769 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after purchasing an additional 199,333 shares during the quarter. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC owned 0.05% of Tractor Supply worth $14,261,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Smithfield Trust Co increased its holdings in Tractor Supply by 286.2% during the 4th quarter. Smithfield Trust Co now owns 475 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 352 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in shares of Tractor Supply by 28.2% in the 4th quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 1,646 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $87,000 after purchasing an additional 362 shares during the last quarter. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC increased its holdings in shares of Tractor Supply by 400.0% in the 4th 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 in the last quarter. Archer Investment Corp lifted its position in Tractor Supply by 400.0% during the fourth quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 500 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. Finally, PrairieView Partners LLC increased its position in Tractor Supply by 400.0% during the fourth 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 last quarter. 98.72% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Stephens began coverage on shares of Tractor Supply in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $56.00 price objective for the company. Guggenheim reissued a "buy" rating and set a $60.00 target price on shares of Tractor Supply in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Truist Financial cut their price objective on shares of Tractor Supply from $63.00 to $60.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Bank of America increased their price target on Tractor Supply from $44.00 to $53.00 and gave the company an "underperform" rating in a report on Thursday, January 16th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Tractor Supply from $58.00 to $59.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Tractor Supply presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $59.07.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Colin Yankee sold 24,602 shares of Tractor Supply stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $54.15, for a total value of $1,332,198.30. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 33,645 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,821,876.75. The trade was a 42.24 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Melissa Kersey sold 9,300 shares of Tractor Supply stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.17, for a total transaction of $494,481.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 34,961 shares in the company, valued at $1,858,876.37. The trade was a 21.01 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 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.

Tractor Supply Stock Performance

Shares of NASDAQ TSCO traded up $0.75 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $50.11. 4,481,903 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,117,015. The company has a quick ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82. The firm has a market cap of $26.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.88. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $53.74 and a 200-day simple moving average of $55.13. Tractor Supply has a 1-year low of $46.97 and a 1-year high of $61.53.

Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The specialty retailer reported $0.44 earnings per share (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%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Tractor Supply will post 2.17 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Tractor Supply Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 11th. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 26th were paid a $0.92 dividend. This is an increase from Tractor Supply's previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 26th. This represents a $3.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.34%. Tractor Supply's payout ratio is presently 45.10%.

Tractor Supply declared that its board has approved a stock repurchase program on Thursday, February 13th that authorizes the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the specialty retailer to purchase up to 3.3% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often a sign that the company's board believes its stock is undervalued.

About Tractor Supply

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.