Tractor Supply 4Q comps up on winter sales

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. Tractor Supply today reported same-store sales growth of 3.8% for its fourth quarter, driven primarily by core lifestyle merchandise, including animal health and pet supplies, as well as many winter-related merchandise categories, including footwear, snow removal, heating and related wood burning and cutting products. Tractor Supply today reported a net sales increase of 14.8% to $723.3 million for its fourth quarter over sales of $629.9 million in the prior year's fourth quarter.

The company said that net sales for the quarter increased 14.8% to $723.3 million from $629.9 million in the prior year's fourth quarter.

Net income for the quarter was $30 million, or 77 cents per diluted share, compared to net income of $29.5 million, or 72 cents per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of the prior year, according to the company.

For fiscal 2007, Tractor Supply said net sales increased 14.1% to $2.70 billion from $2.37 billion and same-store sales increased 3.4% compared to 1.6% for fiscal 2006.

Net income for fiscal 2007 was $96.2 million, or $2.40 per diluted share, compared to net income of $91.0 million, or $2.22 per diluted share, for fiscal 2006.

The company anticipates net sales for fiscal 2008 will be approximately $3.01 billion to $3.08 billion, with an expected same-store sales increase of approximately 1% to 3%.

The company projects full year net earnings to range from $2.54 to $2.62 per diluted share.