Private Capital Management LLC Grows Stock Holdings in Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO)

Private Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO - Free Report) by 400.0% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 14,200 shares of the specialty retailer's stock after acquiring an additional 11,360 shares during the period. Private Capital Management LLC's holdings in Tractor Supply were worth $753,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TSCO. Smithfield Trust Co lifted its stake in shares of 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 buying an additional 352 shares in the last quarter. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC raised its holdings in Tractor Supply by 944.4% during the 4th quarter. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC now owns 470 shares of the specialty retailer's stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 425 shares during the period. PrairieView Partners LLC lifted its position in shares of Tractor Supply by 400.0% during the fourth quarter. PrairieView Partners LLC now owns 500 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Archer Investment Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Tractor Supply by 400.0% in the fourth quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 500 shares of the specialty retailer's stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 400 shares during the period. Finally, Kentucky Trust Co bought a new position in shares of Tractor Supply in the fourth quarter worth $27,000. 98.72% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently issued reports on the company. Stephens began 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. Guggenheim decreased their price target on Tractor Supply from $60.00 to $55.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Robert W. Baird cut their price objective on shares of Tractor Supply from $63.00 to $56.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Raymond James decreased their target price on shares of Tractor Supply from $61.00 to $57.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Mizuho lowered their target price on shares of Tractor Supply from $62.00 to $58.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Tractor Supply currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $58.02.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Tractor Supply news, SVP Matthew L. Rubin sold 2,810 shares of Tractor Supply stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.76, for a total transaction of $145,445.60. Following the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 29,722 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,538,410.72. The trade was a 8.64% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 0.65% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Tractor Supply Trading Down 1.8%

TSCO stock traded down $0.96 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $51.95. 1,515,642 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,445,788. The company has a 50-day moving average of $51.65 and a 200-day moving average of $54.08. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 0.20 and a current ratio of 1.43. Tractor Supply has a 1 year low of $46.85 and a 1 year high of $61.53. The firm has a market capitalization of $27.54 billion, a PE ratio of 25.44, a P/E/G ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.82.

Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results 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 firm had revenue of $3.47 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.55 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.83 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts predict that Tractor Supply will post 2.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Tractor Supply Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 28th will be issued a dividend of $0.23 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 28th. This represents a $0.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.77%. Tractor Supply's dividend payout ratio is currently 45.77%.

Tractor Supply announced that its board has authorized a stock buyback plan on Thursday, February 13th that permits the company to buyback $1.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the specialty retailer to purchase up to 3.3% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are typically a sign that the company's leadership believes its stock is undervalued.

Tractor Supply Company Profile

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.