Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO) Position Increased by UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its stake in shares of Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO - Free Report) by 476.8% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,910,178 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after purchasing an additional 4,058,875 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned approximately 0.92% of Tractor Supply worth $260,534,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Tractor Supply by 392.5% during the fourth quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 64,033,972 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $3,397,643,000 after purchasing an additional 51,031,178 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its holdings in shares of Tractor Supply by 401.8% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 23,789,249 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $1,262,258,000 after purchasing an additional 19,048,385 shares during the period. Alliancebernstein L.P. grew its holdings in shares of Tractor Supply by 403.3% during the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 22,256,534 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $1,180,932,000 after purchasing an additional 17,834,643 shares during the period. Capital World Investors grew its holdings in shares of Tractor Supply by 403.7% during the 4th quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 19,433,135 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $1,031,122,000 after purchasing an additional 15,575,311 shares during the period. Finally, Capital International Investors grew its holdings in shares of Tractor Supply by 334.7% during the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 15,429,288 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $818,421,000 after purchasing an additional 11,880,010 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 98.72% of the company's stock.

Tractor Supply Stock Up 0.1%

TSCO stock traded up $0.03 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $49.70. 3,690,023 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,147,072. The company has a current ratio of 1.43, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82. Tractor Supply has a 12-month low of $46.85 and a 12-month high of $61.53. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $51.49 and a 200-day moving average price of $53.94. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.36, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.82.

Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The specialty retailer reported $0.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.37 by ($0.03). Tractor Supply had a return on equity of 49.01% and a net margin of 7.40%. The business had revenue of $3.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $3.55 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.83 earnings per share. Tractor Supply's revenue for the quarter was up 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Tractor Supply will post 2.17 EPS for the current year.

Tractor Supply announced that its board has authorized a stock repurchase plan on Thursday, February 13th that allows the company to buyback $1.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization allows the specialty retailer to reacquire up to 3.3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are typically an indication that the company's board of directors believes its shares are undervalued.

Tractor Supply Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 28th will be given a dividend of $0.23 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 28th. This represents a $0.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.85%. Tractor Supply's payout ratio is 45.77%.

Insider Transactions at Tractor Supply

In other Tractor Supply news, SVP Matthew L. Rubin sold 2,810 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.76, for a total transaction of $145,445.60. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now owns 29,722 shares in the company, valued at $1,538,410.72. The trade was a 8.64% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 0.65% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Tractor Supply from $59.00 to $56.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 28th. Raymond James cut their price objective on Tractor Supply from $61.00 to $57.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Wall Street Zen raised Tractor Supply from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday. Citigroup cut their price objective on Tractor Supply from $59.00 to $51.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on Tractor Supply from $63.00 to $56.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, eleven have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Tractor Supply has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $58.02.

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.