News about Tractor Supply

Tractor Supply (TSCO) reported Q3 net sales of $3.91 billion, up 5.1% on new stores, the VIP Petcare acquisition and comparable store sales growth of 0.4%, with September returning to positive comps after a July decline. Diluted EPS fell to $0.43 from $0.49 a year earlier as gross margin dropped 90 basis points to 36.4% on higher transportation and fuel costs and price-value investments. Digital sales rose 16%, and the company reaffirmed full-year adjusted EPS guidance of $1.90 to $2.00. Management plans to moderate capex to below 4% of sales from 2027 and pursue $75 million in SG&A savings over 2027 and 2028, aiming to restore operating margins above 9%.

The article highlights three stocks that have doubled their dividend payouts over five years: Eli Lilly, Tractor Supply and American Express. Eli Lilly's yield is about 0.6% versus the S&P 500 average of around 1.1%, its current $1.73 quarterly dividend is just over twice the $0.85 paid in 2021, and its payout ratio is about 22%. Tractor Supply yields up to 2.9%, and its stock is down 33% in 2026 amid tough economic conditions, though it posted $1 billion in profit over the past four quarters. Its $0.24 quarterly dividend is up 131% from the split-adjusted $0.104 paid in 2021, after a 5-for-1 split in 2024, with a payout ratio near 50%. American Express pays $0.95 per quarter, 121% above the $0.43 paid five years ago, with a payout ratio around 20%, and its shares are down 16% this year.