Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO) Lowered to Sell Rating by Wall Street Zen

Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO - Get Free Report) was downgraded by stock analysts at Wall Street Zen from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Telsey Advisory Group set a $60.00 price objective on shares of Tractor Supply in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Stephens initiated coverage on Tractor Supply in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. They set an "equal weight" rating and a $56.00 price objective on the stock. Citigroup lowered their target price on Tractor Supply from $59.00 to $51.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 25th. UBS Group set a $54.00 target price on Tractor Supply in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Mizuho reduced their price target on Tractor Supply from $62.00 to $58.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 25th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Tractor Supply has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $58.02.

Tractor Supply Price Performance

Shares of Tractor Supply stock traded down $0.51 on Friday, reaching $50.94. 6,992,577 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,204,060. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a current ratio of 1.43. The firm has a market cap of $27.01 billion, a PE ratio of 24.97, a P/E/G ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.74. The firm's 50 day moving average is $50.69 and its 200-day moving average is $53.51. Tractor Supply has a one year low of $46.85 and a one year high of $61.53.

Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The specialty retailer reported $0.34 earnings per share 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 the consensus estimate of $3.55 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $1.83 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that Tractor Supply will post 2.17 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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

Insider Activity

In other news, SVP Matthew L. Rubin sold 2,810 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.76, for a total value of $145,445.60. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 29,722 shares in the company, valued at $1,538,410.72. This trade represents a 8.64% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Company insiders own 0.65% of the company's stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Tractor Supply

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in TSCO. Smithfield Trust Co grew its position in Tractor Supply by 286.2% in 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. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC increased its position in shares of Tractor Supply by 944.4% during the fourth quarter. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC now owns 470 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 425 shares in the last quarter. PrairieView Partners LLC raised its holdings 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 worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. GW&K Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Tractor Supply by 89.3% in the 1st quarter. GW&K Investment Management LLC now owns 479 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 226 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Archer Investment Corp boosted its stake in Tractor Supply by 400.0% during the 4th 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 last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.72% of the company's stock.

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.

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