Lifeworks Advisors LLC Acquires 3,295 Shares of Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO)

Lifeworks Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO) by 414.5% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 4,090 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after buying an additional 3,295 shares during the period. Lifeworks Advisors LLC’s holdings in Tractor Supply were worth $217,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of TSCO. First Personal Financial Services bought a new stake in shares of Tractor Supply during the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. Providence Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Tractor Supply during the third quarter worth $32,000. Assetmark Inc. increased its holdings in Tractor Supply by 2,383.3% in the third quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 149 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $43,000 after purchasing an additional 143 shares during the last quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC lifted its stake in Tractor Supply by 29.4% in the third quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 286 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $83,000 after buying an additional 65 shares during the period. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC acquired a new position in Tractor Supply in the third quarter valued at about $90,000. 98.72% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Tractor Supply Stock Performance

Shares of TSCO stock opened at $56.89 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $30.38 billion, a PE ratio of 27.89, a P/E/G ratio of 2.95 and a beta of 0.85. Tractor Supply has a 12 month low of $48.30 and a 12 month high of $61.53. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $55.11 and its 200-day simple moving average is $55.76. The company has a quick ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82.

Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The specialty retailer reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.28 by ($1.84). Tractor Supply had a return on equity of 49.01% and a net margin of 7.40%. Equities research analysts expect that Tractor Supply will post 2.17 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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

Tractor Supply Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, March 11th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 26th will be paid a $0.92 dividend. This represents a $3.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.47%. This is an increase from Tractor Supply’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 26th. Tractor Supply’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 45.10%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Melissa Kersey sold 9,300 shares of Tractor Supply stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.17, for a total value of $494,481.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 34,961 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,858,876.37. This trade represents a 21.01 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Matthew L. Rubin sold 3,850 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $57.69, for a total transaction of $222,106.50. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 31,787 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,833,792.03. The trade was a 10.80 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 137,993 shares of company stock valued at $7,538,068 in the last 90 days. 0.24% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

TSCO has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Loop Capital upped their price target on Tractor Supply from $53.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and issued a $67.00 target price on shares of Tractor Supply in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. Mizuho increased their target price on shares of Tractor Supply from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price target on shares of Tractor Supply from $65.00 to $64.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, November 25th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price objective on Tractor Supply from $44.00 to $53.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 16th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $59.22.

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.