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TRACTOR SUPPLY CO /DE/ - Quarter Report: 2019 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended
September 28, 2019
or
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from
 
to
 
Commission file number   000-23314
imagea08.jpg
TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware
 
13-3139732
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
5401 Virginia Way, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027
(Address of Principal Executive Offices and Zip Code)
(615) 440-4000
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes      No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes     No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
 
Non-accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.)
Yes    No
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Trading Symbol(s)
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.008 par value
 
TSCO
 
NASDAQ Global Select Market
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.
Class
 
Outstanding at October 26, 2019
Common Stock, $.008 par value
 
118,386,226



TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

INDEX


 
 
Page No.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




Page 2

Index

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
September 28,
2019
 
December 29,
2018
 
September 29,
2018
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
82,640

 
$
86,299

 
$
71,302

Inventories
1,812,772

 
1,589,542

 
1,737,273

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
104,486

 
114,447

 
109,478

Income taxes receivable
5,600

 
4,111

 
23,655

Total current assets
2,005,498

 
1,794,399

 
1,941,708

 
 
 
 
 
 
Property and equipment, net
1,143,071

 
1,134,464

 
1,112,049

Operating lease right-of-use assets
2,133,238

 

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets
124,492

 
124,492

 
124,492

Deferred income taxes

 
6,607

 
13,485

Other assets
22,997

 
25,300

 
29,200

Total assets
$
5,429,296

 
$
3,085,262

 
$
3,220,934

 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 

 
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

Accounts payable
$
679,791

 
$
619,981

 
$
683,672

Accrued employee compensation
49,236

 
54,046

 
51,673

Other accrued expenses
218,774

 
232,416

 
209,199

Current portion of long-term debt
30,000

 
26,250

 
26,250

Current portion of finance lease liabilities
3,884

 
3,646

 
3,747

Current portion of operating lease liabilities
270,038

 

 

Income taxes payable

 
1,768

 

Total current liabilities
1,251,723

 
938,107

 
974,541

 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
613,885

 
381,100

 
547,505

Finance lease liabilities, less current portion
29,174

 
29,270

 
29,690

Operating lease liabilities, less current portion
1,966,363

 

 

Deferred income taxes
1,888

 

 

Deferred rent

 
107,038

 
108,487

Other long-term liabilities
74,441

 
67,927

 
65,414

Total liabilities
3,937,474

 
1,523,442

 
1,725,637

 
 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity:
 

 
 

 
 

Preferred stock

 

 

Common stock
1,388

 
1,375

 
1,372

Additional paid-in capital
950,908

 
823,413

 
793,090

Treasury stock
(2,970,654
)
 
(2,480,677
)
 
(2,420,106
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
73

 
3,814

 
5,969

Retained earnings
3,510,107

 
3,213,895

 
3,114,972

Total stockholders’ equity
1,491,822

 
1,561,820

 
1,495,297

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
5,429,296

 
$
3,085,262

 
$
3,220,934

 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred Stock (shares in thousands): $1.00 par value; 40 shares authorized; no shares were issued or outstanding during any period presented.
Common Stock (shares in thousands): $0.008 par value; 400,000 shares authorized at all periods presented. 173,465, 171,887, and 171,488 shares issued; 118,480, 121,828, and 122,120 shares outstanding at September 28, 2019, December 29, 2018, and September 29, 2018, respectively.
Treasury Stock (at cost, shares in thousands): 54,985, 50,059, and 49,368 shares at September 28, 2019, December 29, 2018, and September 29, 2018, respectively.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Page 3

Index

TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 
For the Fiscal Three Months Ended
 
For the Fiscal Nine Months Ended
 
September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
 
September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
Net sales
$
1,984,144

 
$
1,881,625

 
$
6,160,146

 
$
5,777,775

Cost of merchandise sold
1,289,904

 
1,228,493

 
4,030,177

 
3,791,580

Gross profit
694,240

 
653,132

 
2,129,969

 
1,986,195

Selling, general and administrative expenses
482,604

 
454,998

 
1,432,603

 
1,333,457

Depreciation and amortization
49,819

 
44,986

 
144,584

 
131,383

Operating income
161,817

 
153,148

 
552,782

 
521,355

Interest expense, net
4,900

 
4,460

 
15,006

 
13,906

Income before income taxes
156,917

 
148,688

 
537,776

 
507,449

Income tax expense
34,784

 
31,904

 
119,601

 
111,943

Net income
$
122,133

 
$
116,784

 
$
418,175

 
$
395,506

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per share – basic
$
1.03

 
$
0.96

 
$
3.48

 
$
3.22

Net income per share – diluted
$
1.02

 
$
0.95

 
$
3.45

 
$
3.20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
118,956

 
121,876

 
120,180

 
122,818

Diluted
120,058

 
122,761

 
121,239

 
123,570

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per common share outstanding
$
0.35

 
$
0.31

 
$
1.01

 
$
0.89


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Page 4

Index

TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
For the Fiscal Three Months Ended
 
For the Fiscal Nine Months Ended
 
September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
 
September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
Net income
$
122,133

 
$
116,784

 
$
418,175

 
$
395,506

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive (loss)/income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps,
net of taxes
(809
)
 
227

 
(4,458
)
 
2,611

Total other comprehensive (loss)/income
(809
)
 
227

 
(4,458
)
 
2,611

Total comprehensive income
$
121,324

 
$
117,011

 
$
413,717

 
$
398,117


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Page 5

Index

TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Common Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Accum. Other Comp. Income
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Shares
 
Dollars
Stockholders’ equity at
December 29, 2018
121,828

 
$
1,375

 
$
823,413

 
$
(2,480,677
)
 
$
3,814

 
$
3,213,895

 
$
1,561,820

Common stock issuance under stock award plans & ESPP
570

 
5

 
34,727

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
34,732

Share-based compensation
 
 
 
 
9,624

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9,624

Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations
 
 
 
 
(3,026
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3,026
)
Repurchase of common stock
(1,724
)
 
 
 
 
 
(155,319
)
 
 
 
 
 
(155,319
)
Dividends paid
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(37,623
)
 
(37,623
)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1,464
)
 
 
 
(1,464
)
Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
76,832

 
76,832

Cumulative adjustment as a result of ASU 2017-12 adoption
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
717

 
(717
)
 

Stockholders’ equity at
March 30, 2019
120,674

 
$
1,380

 
$
864,738

 
$
(2,635,996
)
 
$
3,067

 
$
3,252,387

 
$
1,485,576

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock issuance under stock award plans & ESPP
781

 
6

 
54,693

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
54,699

Share-based compensation
 
 
 
 
8,776

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8,776

Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations
 
 
 
 
(113
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(113
)
Repurchase of common stock
(1,732
)
 
 
 
 
 
(178,916
)
 
 
 
 
 
(178,916
)
Dividends paid
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(42,105
)
 
(42,105
)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2,185
)
 
 
 
(2,185
)
Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
219,210

 
219,210

Stockholders’ equity at
June 29, 2019
119,723

 
$
1,386

 
$
928,094

 
$
(2,814,912
)
 
$
882

 
$
3,429,492

 
$
1,544,942

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock issuance under stock award plans & ESPP
227

 
2

 
16,110

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16,112

Share-based compensation
 
 
 
 
7,355

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7,355

Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations
 
 
 
 
(651
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(651
)
Repurchase of common stock
(1,470
)
 
 
 
 
 
(155,742
)
 
 
 
 
 
(155,742
)
Dividends paid
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(41,518
)
 
(41,518
)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(809
)
 
 
 
(809
)
Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
122,133

 
122,133

Stockholders’ equity at
September 28, 2019
118,480

 
$
1,388

 
$
950,908

 
$
(2,970,654
)
 
$
73

 
$
3,510,107

 
$
1,491,822


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. 


Page 6

Index



TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (CONTINUED)
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Common Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Accum. Other Comp. Income
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Shares
 
Dollars
Stockholders’ equity at
December 30, 2017
125,303

 
$
1,363

 
$
716,228

 
$
(2,130,901
)
 
$
3,358

 
$
2,828,625

 
$
1,418,673

Common stock issuance under stock award plans & ESPP
123

 
1

 
4,362

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,363

Share-based compensation
 
 
 
 
8,567

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8,567

Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations
 
 
 
 
(569
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(569
)
Repurchase of common stock
(2,367
)
 
 
 
 
 
(157,463
)
 
 
 
 
 
(157,463
)
Dividends paid
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(33,591
)
 
(33,591
)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,832

 
 
 
1,832

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
71,433

 
71,433

Stockholders’ equity at
March 31, 2018
123,059

 
$
1,364

 
$
728,588

 
$
(2,288,364
)
 
$
5,190

 
$
2,866,467

 
$
1,313,245

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock issuance under stock award plans & ESPP
229

 
2

 
9,980

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
9,982

Share-based compensation
 
 
 
 
7,842

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7,842

Repurchase of common stock
(1,477
)
 
 
 
 
 
(95,082
)
 
 
 
 
 
(95,082
)
Dividends paid
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(37,786
)
 
(37,786
)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
552

 
 
 
552

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
207,289

 
207,289

Stockholders’ equity at
June 30, 2018
121,811

 
$
1,366

 
$
746,410

 
$
(2,383,446
)
 
$
5,742

 
$
3,035,970

 
$
1,406,042

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock issuance under stock award plans & ESPP
761

 
6

 
40,355

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
40,361

Share-based compensation
 
 
 
 
6,378

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6,378

Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations
 
 
 
 
(53
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(53
)
Repurchase of common stock
(452
)
 
 
 
 
 
(36,660
)
 
 
 
 
 
(36,660
)
Dividends paid
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(37,782
)
 
(37,782
)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
227

 
 
 
227

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
116,784

 
116,784

Stockholders’ equity at
September 29, 2018
122,120

 
$
1,372

 
$
793,090

 
$
(2,420,106
)
 
$
5,969

 
$
3,114,972

 
$
1,495,297


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. 



Page 7

Index

TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
For the Fiscal Nine Months Ended
 
September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
418,175

 
$
395,506

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
144,584

 
131,383

Gain on disposition of property and equipment
(262
)
 
(285
)
Share-based compensation expense
25,755

 
22,787

Deferred income taxes
8,495

 
5,009

Change in assets and liabilities:
 

 
 

Inventories
(223,230
)
 
(284,065
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
9,961

 
(21,226
)
Accounts payable
59,810

 
107,104

Accrued employee compensation
(4,810
)
 
20,000

Other accrued expenses
(21,622
)
 
667

Income taxes
(3,257
)
 
(29,667
)
Other
728

 
6,206

Net cash provided by operating activities
414,327

 
353,419

Cash flows from investing activities:
 

 
 

Capital expenditures
(144,342
)
 
(193,693
)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
2,317

 
2,029

Net cash used in investing activities
(142,025
)
 
(191,664
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

Borrowings under debt facilities
947,000

 
968,500

Repayments under debt facilities
(710,750
)
 
(820,750
)
Debt issuance costs

 
(346
)
Principal payments under finance lease liabilities
(2,741
)
 
(2,725
)
Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations
(3,790
)
 
(622
)
Repurchase of common stock
(489,977
)
 
(289,205
)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
105,543

 
54,706

Cash dividends paid to stockholders
(121,246
)
 
(109,159
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(275,961
)
 
(199,601
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(3,659
)
 
(37,846
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
86,299

 
109,148

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
82,640

 
$
71,302

 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
 

 
 

Cash paid during the period for:
 

 
 

Interest                                                                        
$
15,189

 
$
15,445

Income taxes
112,693

 
137,041

 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities:
 
 
 
Non-cash accruals for construction in progress
$
10,981

 
$
15,521

Operating lease assets and liabilities recognized upon adoption of ASC 842
2,084,880

 

Increase of operating lease assets and liabilities from new or modified leases
240,969

 

Increase of finance lease assets and liabilities from new or modified leases
2,883

 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Page 8

Index

TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 – General:

Nature of Business

Founded in 1938, Tractor Supply Company (the “Company” or “we” or “our” or “us”) is the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States (“U.S.”). The Company is focused on supplying the needs of recreational farmers and ranchers and those who enjoy the rural lifestyle (which we refer to as the “Out Here” lifestyle), as well as tradesmen and small businesses. Stores are located primarily in towns outlying major metropolitan markets and in rural communities. The Company also owns and operates Petsense, LLC (“Petsense”), a small-box pet specialty supply retailer focused on meeting the needs of pet owners, primarily in small and mid-sized communities, and offering a variety of pet products and services. At September 28, 2019, the Company operated a total of 1,990 retail stores in 49 states (1,814 Tractor Supply and Del’s retail stores and 176 Petsense retail stores) and also offered an expanded assortment of products online at TractorSupply.com and Petsense.com.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. These statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2018.  The results of operations for our interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full fiscal year.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company adopted lease accounting guidance as discussed in Note 7 and Note 13 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Adoption of the new lease accounting guidance had a material impact to our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and related disclosures, and resulted in the recording of additional right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of approximately $2.08 billion as of the date of adoption. This guidance was applied using the optional transition method which allowed the Company to not recast comparative financial information but rather recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the effective date in the period of adoption. No adjustment to retained earnings was made as a result of the adoption of this guidance. Consistent with the optional transition method, the financial information in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets prior to the adoption of this new lease accounting guidance has not been adjusted and is therefore not comparable to the current period presented. The standard did not materially impact our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, Comprehensive Income, Stockholders’ Equity, or Cash Flows. For additional information, including the required disclosures, related to the impact of adopting this standard, see Note 7 and Note 13 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities,” using the modified retrospective transition method. This method allows for a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings, as of the effective date in the period of adoption, for previously recorded amounts of hedge ineffectiveness. Upon adoption of the guidance, we recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment of $0.7 million, from retained earnings to accumulated other comprehensive income. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures. For additional information on the required disclosures related to the impact of adopting this guidance, see Note 6 and Note 13 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 2 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments:

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value.  These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.


Page 9

Index

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term receivables, trade payables, debt instruments, and interest rate swaps.  Due to their short-term nature, the carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, short-term receivables, and trade payables approximate current fair value at each balance sheet date. As described in further detail in Note 5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company had $645.0 million, $408.8 million, and $575.3 million in borrowings under its debt facilities at September 28, 2019, December 29, 2018, and September 29, 2018, respectively. Based on market interest rates (Level 2 inputs), the carrying value of borrowings in our debt facilities approximates fair value for each period reported. The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps is determined based on the present value of expected future cash flows using forward rate curves (a Level 2 input). As described in further detail in Note 6 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the fair value of the interest rate swaps, excluding accrued interest, was a net asset of $0.1 million, $5.8 million, and $8.7 million at September 28, 2019, December 29, 2018, and September 29, 2018, respectively.

Note 3 – Share-Based Compensation:

Share-based compensation includes stock options, restricted stock units, performance-based restricted share units, and certain transactions under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). Share-based compensation expense is recognized based on grant date fair value of all stock options, restricted stock units, and performance-based restricted share units plus a 15% discount on shares purchased by employees as a part of the ESPP. The discount under the ESPP represents the difference between the purchase date market value and the employee’s purchase price.

There were no significant modifications to the Company’s share-based compensation plans during the fiscal nine months ended
September 28, 2019.

For the third quarter of fiscal 2019 and 2018, share-based compensation expense was $7.4 million and $6.4 million, respectively, and $25.8 million and $22.8 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Stock Options

The following table summarizes information concerning stock option grants during the first nine months of fiscal 2019:
 
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
 
September 28, 2019
Stock options granted
392,088

Weighted average exercise price
$
89.71

Weighted average grant date fair value per option
$
20.80



As of September 28, 2019, total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock options was approximately $9.7 million with a remaining weighted average expense recognition period of 1.7 years.

Restricted Stock Units and Performance-Based Restricted Share Units

The following table summarizes information concerning restricted stock unit and performance-based restricted share unit grants during the first nine months of fiscal 2019:
 
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
 
September 28, 2019
Restricted stock units granted
252,905

Performance-based restricted share units granted (a)
58,115

Weighted average grant date fair value per share
$
87.50


(a) Assumes 100% target level achievement of the relative performance targets.

In fiscal 2019, the Company granted awards that are subject to the achievement of specified performance goals. The performance metrics for the units are growth in net sales and growth in earnings per diluted share. The number of performance-based restricted share units presented in the foregoing table represent the shares that can be achieved at the performance metric target value. The actual number of shares that will be issued under the performance share awards, which may be higher or lower than the target, will be determined by the level of achievement of the performance goals. If the performance targets are achieved, the units will be issued based on the achievement level and the grant date fair value and will cliff vest in full on the third anniversary of the date of the grant.

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As of September 28, 2019, total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock units and non-vested performance-based restricted share units was approximately $25.0 million with a remaining weighted average expense recognition period of 2.1 years.

Note 4 – Net Income Per Share:

The Company presents both basic and diluted net income per share on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.  Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted net income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average diluted shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive shares are computed using the treasury stock method for share-based awards. Performance-based restricted share units are included in diluted shares only if the related performance conditions are considered satisfied as of the end of the reporting period. Net income per share is calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
Fiscal Three Months Ended
 
Fiscal Three Months Ended
 
September 28, 2019
 
September 29, 2018
 
Income
 
Shares
 
Per Share
Amount
 
Income
 
Shares
 
Per Share
 Amount
Basic net income per share:
$
122,133

 
118,956

 
$
1.03

 
$
116,784

 
121,876

 
$
0.96

Dilutive effect of share-based awards

 
1,102

 
(0.01
)
 

 
885

 
(0.01
)
Diluted net income per share:
$
122,133

 
120,058

 
$
1.02

 
$
116,784

 
122,761

 
$
0.95


 
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
 
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
 
September 28, 2019
 
September 29, 2018
 
Income
 
Shares
 
Per Share
Amount
 
Income
 
Shares
 
Per Share
 Amount
Basic net income per share:
$
418,175

 
120,180

 
$
3.48

 
$
395,506

 
122,818

 
$
3.22

Dilutive effect of share-based awards

 
1,059

 
(0.03
)
 

 
752

 
(0.02
)
Diluted net income per share:
$
418,175

 
121,239

 
$
3.45

 
$
395,506

 
123,570

 
$
3.20



Anti-dilutive stock awards excluded from the above calculations totaled approximately 0.3 million and 1.8 million shares for the fiscal three months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, respectively, and 0.4 million and 3.4 million shares for the fiscal nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, respectively.

Note 5 – Debt:

The following table summarizes the Company’s outstanding debt as of the dates indicated (in millions):
 
 
September 28,
2019
 
December 29,
2018
 
September 29,
2018
Senior Notes
 
$
150.0

 
$
150.0


$
150.0

Senior Credit Facility:
 

 
 
 
 
February 2016 Term Loan
 
150.0

 
165.0

 
165.0

June 2017 Term Loan
 
90.0

 
93.8

 
93.8

Revolving credit loans
 
255.0

 

 
166.5

Total outstanding borrowings
 
645.0

 
408.8

 
575.3

Less: unamortized debt issuance costs
 
(1.1
)
 
(1.4
)
 
(1.5
)
Total debt
 
643.9

 
407.4


573.8

Less: current portion of long-term debt
 
(30.0
)
 
(26.3
)
 
(26.3
)
Long-term debt
 
$
613.9

 
$
381.1

 
$
547.5

 
 

 
 
 
 
Outstanding letters of credit
 
$
34.0

 
$
33.5

 
$
36.7




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Senior Notes

On August 14, 2017, the Company entered into a note purchase and private shelf agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell $150 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due August 14, 2029 (the “2029 Notes”) in a private placement. The 2029 Notes bear interest at 3.70% per annum with interest payable semi-annually in arrears on each annual and semi-annual anniversary of the issuance date. The obligations under the Note Purchase Agreement are unsecured, but guaranteed by each of the Company’s material subsidiaries.

The Company may from time to time issue and sell additional senior unsecured notes (the “Shelf Notes”) pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, in an aggregate principal amount of up to $150 million. The Shelf Notes will have a maturity date of no more than 12 years after the date of original issuance and may be issued through August 14, 2020, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement.

Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, the 2029 Notes and any Shelf Notes (collectively, the “Notes”) are redeemable by the Company, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at 100% of the principal amount of the Notes being redeemed, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon and a make whole amount calculated by discounting all remaining scheduled payments on the Notes by the yield on the U.S. Treasury security with a maturity equal to the remaining average life of the Notes plus 0.50%.

Senior Credit Facility

On February 19, 2016, the Company entered into a senior credit facility (the “2016 Senior Credit Facility”) consisting of a $200 million term loan (the “February 2016 Term Loan”) and a $500 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) with a sublimit of $50 million for swingline loans. This agreement is unsecured and matures on February 19, 2022.

On June 15, 2017, pursuant to an accordion feature available under the 2016 Senior Credit Facility, the Company entered into an incremental term loan agreement (the “June 2017 Term Loan”) which increased the term loan capacity under the 2016 Senior Credit Facility by $100 million. This agreement is unsecured and matures on June 15, 2022.

The February 2016 Term Loan of $200 million requires quarterly payments totaling $10 million per year in years one and two and $20 million per year in years three through the maturity date, with the remaining balance due in full on the maturity date of February 19, 2022. The June 2017 Term Loan of $100 million requires quarterly payments totaling $5 million per year in years one and two and $10 million per year in years three through the maturity date, with the remaining balance due in full on the maturity date of June 15, 2022. The 2016 Senior Credit Facility also contains a $500 million revolving credit facility (with a sublimit of $50 million for swingline loans).

Borrowings under the February 2016 Term Loan and Revolver bear interest at either the bank’s base rate (5.000% at September 28, 2019) or the London Inter-Bank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) (2.032% at September 28, 2019) plus an additional amount ranging from 0.500% to 1.125% per annum (0.750% at September 28, 2019), adjusted quarterly based on our leverage ratio.  The Company is also required to pay, quarterly in arrears, a commitment fee for unused capacity ranging from 0.075% to 0.200% per annum (0.125% at September 28, 2019), adjusted quarterly based on the Company’s leverage ratio. Borrowings under the June 2017 Term Loan bear interest at either the bank’s base rate (5.000% at September 28, 2019) or LIBOR (2.032% at September 28, 2019) plus an additional 1.000% per annum. As further described in Note 6 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company has entered into interest rate swap agreements in order to hedge our exposure to variable rate interest payments associated with each of the term loans under the 2016 Senior Credit Facility.

Proceeds from the 2016 Senior Credit Facility may be used for working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, share repurchases, and other matters. There are no compensating balance requirements associated with the 2016 Senior Credit Facility.

Covenants and Default Provisions of the Debt Agreements

The 2016 Senior Credit Facility and the Note Purchase Agreement (collectively, the “Debt Agreements”) require quarterly compliance with respect to two material covenants: a fixed charge coverage ratio and a leverage ratio.  Both ratios are calculated on a trailing twelve-month basis at the end of each fiscal quarter. The fixed charge coverage ratio compares earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation, and rent expense (“consolidated EBITDAR”) to the sum of interest paid and rental expense (excluding any straight-line rent adjustments).  The fixed charge coverage ratio shall be greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.0 as of the last day of each fiscal quarter. The leverage ratio compares rental expense (excluding any straight-line rent adjustments) multiplied by a factor of six plus total debt to consolidated EBITDAR.  The leverage ratio shall be less than or equal to 4.00 to 1.0 as of the last day of each fiscal quarter. The Debt Agreements also contain certain other restrictions regarding additional indebtedness, capital expenditures, business operations, guarantees, investments, mergers, consolidations and

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sales of assets, prepayment of debts, transactions with subsidiaries or affiliates, and liens.  As of September 28, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

The Debt Agreements contain customary events of default, including payment defaults, breaches of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to other material indebtedness, certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency, material judgments, certain ERISA events, and invalidity of loan documents. Upon certain changes of control, payment under the Debt Agreements could become due and payable. In addition, under the Note Purchase Agreement, upon an event of default or change of control, the make whole payment described above may become due and payable.

The Note Purchase Agreement also requires that, in the event the Company amends its 2016 Senior Credit Facility, or any subsequent credit facility of $100 million or greater, such that it contains covenant or default provisions that are not provided in the Note Purchase Agreement or that are similar to those contained in the Note Purchase Agreement but which contain percentages, amounts, formulas or grace periods that are more restrictive than those set forth in the Note Purchase Agreement or are otherwise more beneficial to the lenders thereunder, the Note Purchase Agreement shall be automatically amended to include such additional or amended covenants and/or default provisions.

Note 6 – Interest Rate Swaps:

The Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement which became effective on March 31, 2016, with a maturity date of February 19, 2021. The notional amount of this swap agreement began at $197.5 million (the principal amount of the February 2016 Term Loan borrowings as of March 31, 2016) and will amortize at the same time and in the same amount as the February 2016 Term Loan borrowings, as described in Note 5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, up to the maturity date of the interest rate swap agreement on February 19, 2021. As of September 28, 2019, the notional amount of the interest rate swap was $150.0 million.

The Company entered into a second interest rate swap agreement which became effective on June 30, 2017, with a maturity date of June 15, 2022. The notional amount of this swap agreement began at $100 million (the principal amount of the June 2017 Term Loan borrowings as of June 30, 2017) and will amortize at the same time and in the same amount as the June 2017 Term Loan borrowings, as described in Note 5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. As of September 28, 2019, the notional amount of the interest rate swap was $90.0 million.

The Company’s interest rate swap agreements are executed for risk management and are not held for trading purposes. The objective of the interest rate swap agreements is to mitigate interest rate risk associated with future changes in interest rates. To accomplish this objective, the interest rate swap agreements are intended to hedge the variable cash flows associated with the variable rate term loan borrowings under the 2016 Senior Credit Facility. Both interest rate swap agreements entitle the Company to receive, at specified intervals, a variable rate of interest based on LIBOR in exchange for the payment of a fixed rate of interest throughout the life of the agreement, without exchange of the underlying notional amount.

The Company has designated its interest rate swap agreements as cash flow hedges and accounts for the underlying activity in accordance with hedge accounting. The interest rate swaps are presented within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. In accordance with hedge accounting, the gains and losses on interest rate swaps that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges are recorded as a component of Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”), net of related income taxes, and reclassified into earnings in the same income statement line and period during which the hedged transactions affect earnings.

As of September 28, 2019, amounts to be reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”) into interest during the next twelve months are not expected to be material. No significant amounts were excluded from the assessment of cash flow hedge effectiveness as of September 28, 2019.


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The assets and liabilities measured at fair value related to the Company’s interest rate swaps, excluding accrued interest, were as follows (in thousands):
Derivatives Designated
as Cash Flow Hedges
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
September 28,
2019

December 29,
2018

September 29,
2018
Interest rate swaps (short-term portion)
 
Other current assets
 
$
631


$
2,601


$
2,735

Interest rate swaps (long-term portion)
 
Other assets
 
105


3,222


5,991

Total derivative assets
 
 
 
$
736

 
$
5,823

 
$
8,726

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps (short-term portion)
 
Other accrued expenses
 
$
57


$


$

Interest rate swaps (long-term portion)
 
Other long-term liabilities
 
581





Total derivative liabilities
 
 
 
$
638

 
$

 
$



The offset to the interest rate swap asset or liability is recorded as a component of equity, net of deferred taxes, in AOCI, and will be reclassified into earnings over the term of the underlying debt as interest payments are made.

The following table summarizes the changes in AOCI, net of tax, related to the Company’s interest rate swaps (in thousands):


September 28,
2019

December 29,
2018

September 29,
2018
Beginning fiscal year AOCI balance

$
3,814


$
3,358


$
3,358








Current fiscal period (loss)/gain recognized in OCI

(4,458
)

456


2,611

Cumulative adjustment as a result of ASU 2017-12 adoption

717





Other comprehensive (loss)/gain, net of tax

(3,741
)

456


2,611

Ending fiscal period AOCI balance

$
73


$
3,814


$
5,969



Cash flows related to the interest rate swaps are included in operating activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

The following table summarizes the impact of pre-tax gains and losses derived from the Company’s interest rate swaps (in thousands):
 
 
 
Fiscal Three Months Ended
 
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
 
Financial Statement Location
 
September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
 
September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
Amount of (losses)/gains recognized in OCI during the period
Other comprehensive (loss)/income
 
$
(841
)
 
$
306

 
$
(5,725
)
 
$
3,511



The following table summarizes the impact of taxes affecting AOCI as a result of the Company’s interest rate swaps (in thousands):
 
Fiscal Three Months Ended

Fiscal Nine Months Ended
 
September 28,
2019

September 29,
2018

September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
Income tax (benefit)/expense of interest rate swaps on AOCI
$
(32
)

$
79


$
(1,267
)

$
900



Credit-risk-related contingent features

In accordance with the underlying interest rate swap agreements, the Company could be declared in default on its interest rate swap obligations if repayment of the underlying indebtedness (i.e., the Company’s term loans) is accelerated by the lender due to the Company's default on such indebtedness.

If the Company had breached any of the provisions in the underlying agreements at September 28, 2019, it could have been required to post full collateral or settle its obligations under the Company’s interest rate swap agreements. However, as of September 28,

Page 14

Index

2019, the Company had not breached any of these provisions or posted any collateral related to the underlying interest rate swap agreements.

Note 7 – Leases:

The Company leases the majority of its retail store locations, two distribution sites, its Merchandise Innovation Center, and certain equipment under various non-cancellable operating leases. The leases have varying terms and expire at various dates through 2037. Store leases typically have initial terms of between 10 and 15 years, with two to four optional renewal periods of five years each. The exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion. The Company has included lease renewal options in the lease term for calculations of its right-of-use assets and liabilities when it is reasonably certain that the Company plans to renew these leases. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

The Company accounts for lease components (e.g., fixed payments including rent, real estate taxes, and insurance costs) together with nonlease components (e.g., fixed payment common-area maintenance) as a single component. Certain lease agreements require variable payments based upon actual costs of common-area maintenance, real estate taxes, and insurance. Further, certain lease agreements require variable payments based upon store sales above agreed-upon sales levels for the year and others require payments adjusted periodically for inflation. As substantially all of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement or modification date in determining the present value of lease payments.

In addition to the operating lease right-of-use assets presented on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, assets, net of accumulated amortization, under finance leases of $29.7 million are recorded within the Property and equipment, net line on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 28, 2019.

The following table summarizes the Company’s classification of lease cost (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
Fiscal Three Months Ended

Fiscal Nine Months Ended
 
 
Statement of Income Location
 
September 28, 2019

September 28, 2019
Finance lease cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of lease assets
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
$
1,075

 
$
3,165

Interest on lease liabilities
 
Interest expense, net
 
407

 
1,207

Operating lease cost
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
88,820

 
262,838

Variable lease cost
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
18,394

 
55,545

Net lease cost
 
 
 
$
108,696

 
$
322,755



The following table summarizes the future maturities of the Company’s lease liabilities (in thousands):
 
 
Operating Leases (a)
 
Finance Leases
 
Total
2019 (b)
 
$
92,364

 
$
1,364

 
$
93,728

2020
 
358,275

 
5,471

 
363,746

2021
 
337,373

 
5,531

 
342,904

2022
 
313,814

 
4,409

 
318,223

2023
 
289,207

 
3,217

 
292,424

After 2023
 
1,348,926

 
23,000

 
1,371,926

Total lease payments
 
2,739,959

 
42,992

 
2,782,951

Less: Interest
 
(503,558
)
 
(9,934
)
 
(513,492
)
Present value of lease liabilities
 
$
2,236,401

 
$
33,058

 
$
2,269,459

(a) Operating lease payments exclude $168.6 million of legally binding minimum lease payments for leases signed, but not yet commenced.
(b) Excluding the nine-month period ended September 28, 2019.


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Index

The following table summarizes the Company’s lease term and discount rate:
 
 
September 28, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years):
 
 
Finance leases
 
9.8

Operating leases
 
8.9

Weighted-average discount rate:
 
 
Finance leases
 
5.2
%
Operating leases
 
4.4
%


The following table summarizes the other information related to the Company’s lease liabilities (in thousands):
 
 
Fiscal Three Months Ended
 
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 28, 2019
 
September 28, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Financing cash flows from finance leases
 
$
936

 
$
2,741

Operating cash flows from finance leases
 
388

 
1,188

Operating cash flows from operating leases
 
88,820

 
251,800



The Company adopted new lease accounting guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, as discussed in Note 1 and Note 13 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, and as required, the following disclosure is provided for periods prior to adoption. As of December 29, 2018 future minimum payments, by year and in the aggregate, under leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
 
Capital
Leases
 
Operating
Leases
2019
 
$
5,215

 
$
344,836

2020
 
5,234

 
328,589

2021
 
5,294

 
306,572

2022
 
4,172

 
284,327

2023
 
2,980

 
260,518

Thereafter
 
20,169

 
1,175,972

Total minimum lease payments
 
43,064

 
$
2,700,814

Amount representing interest
 
(10,148
)
 
 

Present value of minimum lease payments
 
32,916

 
 

Less: current portion
 
(3,646
)
 
 

Long-term capital lease obligations
 
$
29,270

 
 



Note 8 – Capital Stock and Dividends:

Capital Stock

The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of common stock and preferred stock. The Company is authorized to issue 400 million shares of common stock. The Company is also authorized to issue 40 thousand shares of preferred stock, with such designations, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.


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Index

Dividends

During the first nine months of fiscal 2019 and 2018, the Board of Directors declared the following cash dividends:
Date Declared
 
Dividend Amount
Per Share of Common Stock
 
Record Date
 
Date Paid
August 7, 2019

$
0.35


August 26, 2019

September 10, 2019
May 8, 2019
 
$
0.35

 
May 28, 2019
 
June 11, 2019
February 6, 2019
 
$
0.31

 
February 25, 2019
 
March 12, 2019

 


 

 

August 8, 2018

$
0.31


August 27, 2018

September 11, 2018
May 9, 2018
 
$
0.31

 
May 29, 2018
 
June 12, 2018
February 7, 2018
 
$
0.27

 
February 26, 2018
 
March 13, 2018


It is the present intention of the Board of Directors to continue to pay a quarterly cash dividend; however, the declaration and payment of future dividends will be determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion and will depend upon the earnings, financial condition and capital needs of the Company, along with any other factors that the Board of Directors deems relevant.

On November 6, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share of the Company’s outstanding common stock.  The dividend will be paid on December 10, 2019, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 25, 2019.

Note 9 – Treasury Stock:

The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized common stock repurchases under a share repurchase program. On May 8, 2019, the Board of Directors authorized a $1.5 billion increase to the existing share repurchase program, bringing the total amount authorized to $4.5 billion, exclusive of any fees, commissions, or other expenses related to such repurchases. The repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.  The timing and amount of any shares repurchased under the program will depend on a variety of factors, including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, capital availability, and other market conditions.  Repurchased shares are accounted for at cost and will be held in treasury for future issuance.  The program may be limited or terminated at any time without prior notice. As of September 28, 2019, the Company had remaining authorization under the share repurchase program of $1.53 billion, exclusive of any fees, commissions, or other expenses.

The following table provides the number of shares repurchased, average price paid per share, and total amount paid for share repurchases during the fiscal three and nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, respectively (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
Fiscal Three Months Ended
 
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
 
September 28, 2019
 
September 29, 2018
 
September 28, 2019
 
September 29, 2018
Total number of shares repurchased
1,470

 
452

 
4,926

 
4,296

Average price paid per share
$
105.97

 
$
81.23

 
$
99.46

 
$
67.33

Total cash paid for share repurchases
$
155,742

 
$
36,660

 
$
489,977

 
$
289,205



Note 10 – Income Taxes:

The Company’s effective income tax rate increased to 22.2% in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to 21.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2018. The primary driver for the increase in the Company’s effective income tax rate was an incremental tax benefit associated with share-based compensation in the third quarter of fiscal 2018. The effective income tax rate increased to 22.2% compared to 22.1% in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, respectively.


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Note 11 – Commitments and Contingencies:

Construction and Real Estate Commitments

At September 28, 2019, there were no material commitments related to real estate or construction projects extending greater than twelve months.

Letters of Credit

At September 28, 2019, there were $34.0 million of outstanding letters of credit under the 2016 Senior Credit Facility.

Litigation

The Company is involved in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes that any estimated loss related to such matters has been adequately provided for in accrued liabilities, to the extent probable and reasonably estimable. Accordingly, the Company currently expects these matters will be resolved without material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. 

Note 12 – Segment Reporting:

The Company has one reportable segment which is the retail sale of products that support the rural lifestyle.  The following table indicates the percentage of net sales represented by each major product category during the fiscal three and nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018:
 
Fiscal Three Months Ended
 
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
Product Category:
September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
 
September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
Livestock and Pet
49
%
 
49
%
 
48
%
 
48
%
Hardware, Tools and Truck
23

 
22

 
21

 
21

Seasonal, Gift and Toy Products
18

 
18

 
20

 
20

Clothing and Footwear
5

 
6

 
6

 
6

Agriculture
5

 
5

 
5

 
5

Total
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%


Note 13 – New Accounting Pronouncements:

New Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” This update requires a dual approach for lessee accounting under which a lessee will account for leases as finance leases or operating leases. Both finance leases and operating leases will result in the lessee recognizing a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability on its balance sheet, with differing methodology for income statement recognition. In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, “Leases (Topic 842): Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842.” This update permits an entity to elect an optional transition practical expedient to not evaluate land easements that exist or expired before the entity’s adoption of ASU 2016-02 and that were not accounted for as leases under previous lease guidance. In July 2018, ASU 2018-10, “Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases,” was issued to provide more detailed guidance and additional clarification for implementing ASU 2016-02. Furthermore, in July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, “Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements,” which provides an optional transition method in addition to the existing modified retrospective transition method by allowing a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption.  These new leasing standards are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. In March of 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-01, “Leases (Topic 842): Codification Improvements” which was issued to provide more detailed guidance and clarification for implementing ASU 2016-02.


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The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and as a part of that process, made the following elections:

The Company elected the optional transition method which allows for the lessee to not recast comparative financial information but rather recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the effective date in the period of adoption. No such adjustment to retained earnings was made as a result of the adoption of this guidance.
The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard which, among other things, allowed us to carry forward our prior lease classification under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 840.
The Company did not elect the hindsight practical expedient for all leases.
The Company elected to make the accounting policy election for short-term leases resulting in lease payments being recorded as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
The Company elected the land easement practical expedient.

Adoption of the new standard had a material impact to our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and related disclosures, and resulted in the recording of additional right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of approximately $2.08 billion as of the date of adoption. The standard did not materially impact our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, Comprehensive Income, Stockholders’ Equity, or Cash Flows.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities,” which amends and simplifies existing guidance in order to allow companies to more accurately present the economic effects of risk management activities in the financial statements. This update expands and refines hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. Additionally, the amendments in ASU 2017-12 provide new guidance about income statement classification and eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness. This guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted.  The amendments in ASU 2017-12 require that an entity with cash flow or net investment hedges existing at the date of adoption apply a cumulative-effect adjustment to eliminate the separate measurement of ineffectiveness to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year in which the entity adopts this guidance. The amended presentation and disclosure guidance should be adopted prospectively. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment of $0.7 million from retained earnings to accumulated other comprehensive income. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which expands the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. This guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-16, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap (OIS) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes” which expands the permissible benchmark interest rates to include the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) to be eligible as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for purposes of applying hedge accounting under Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging.  This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted if an entity has previously adopted ASU 2017-12.  The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.


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New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement,” which amends the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying and adding certain disclosures.  This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract.” This update clarifies the accounting treatment for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement (hosting arrangement) by providing guidance for determining when the arrangement includes a software license. This guidance is effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted.  The amendments may be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adoption of this guidance will have on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.



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Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

General

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2018. This Form 10-Q also contains forward-looking statements and information. The forward-looking statements included herein are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”).  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, which address activities, events, or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including sales and earnings growth, estimated results of operations in future periods, the declaration and payment of dividends, future capital expenditures (including their amount and nature), business strategy, expansion and growth of our business operations, and other such matters are forward-looking statements.  These forward-looking statements may be affected by certain risks and uncertainties, any one, or a combination of which, could materially affect the results of our operations. To take advantage of the safe harbor provided by the Act, we are identifying certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements, whether oral or written.

As with any business, many aspects of our operations are subject to influences outside our control. These factors include, without limitation, national, regional, and local economic conditions affecting consumer spending, the timing and acceptance of new products in the stores, the timing and mix of goods sold, purchase price volatility (including inflationary and deflationary pressures), the ability to increase sales at existing stores, the ability to manage growth and identify suitable locations, failure of an acquisition to produce anticipated results, the ability to successfully manage expenses and execute our key gross margin enhancing initiatives, the availability of favorable credit sources, capital market conditions in general, the ability to open new stores in the time, manner and number currently contemplated, the impact of new stores on our business, competition, including that from online competitors, weather conditions, the seasonal nature of our business, effective merchandising initiatives and marketing emphasis, the ability to retain vendors, reliance on foreign suppliers, the ability to attract, train, and retain qualified employees, product liability and other claims, changes in federal, state, or local regulations, the imposition of tariffs on imported products or the disallowance of tax deductions on imported products, potential judgments, fines, legal fees, and other costs, breach of information systems or theft of employee or customer data, ongoing and potential future legal or regulatory proceedings, management of our information systems, failure to develop and implement new technologies, the failure of customer-facing technology systems, business disruption including from the implementation of supply chain technologies, effective tax rate changes and results of examination by taxing authorities, the ability to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, and changes in accounting standards, assumptions, and estimates. We discuss in greater detail risk factors relating to our business in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2018.  Forward-looking statements are based on our knowledge of our business and the environment in which we operate, but because of the factors listed above or other factors, actual results could differ materially from those reflected by any forward-looking statements. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on our business and operations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.  We undertake no obligation to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Tractor Supply reports its financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Tractor Supply also uses certain non-GAAP measures that fall within the meaning of Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation G and Regulation S-K Item 10(e), which may provide users of the financial information with additional meaningful comparison to prior reported results. Non-GAAP measures do not have standardized definitions and are not defined by U.S. GAAP. Therefore, Tractor Supply’s non-GAAP measures are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The presentation of these non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or as superior to the financial information presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We believe this information is useful in providing period-to-period comparisons of the results of our continuing operations.

Seasonality and Weather

Our business is seasonal.  Historically, our sales and profits are the highest in the second and fourth fiscal quarters due to the sale of seasonal products. We experience our highest inventory and accounts payable balances during our first fiscal quarter for purchases of seasonal products to support the higher sales volume of the spring selling season, and again during our third fiscal quarter to support the higher sales volume of the cold-weather selling season. We believe that our business can be more accurately assessed by focusing on the performance of the halves, not the quarters, due to the fact that different weather patterns from year-

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to-year can shift the timing of sales and profits between quarters, particularly between the first and second fiscal quarters and the third and fourth fiscal quarters.

Historically, weather conditions, including unseasonably warm weather in the fall and winter months and unseasonably cool weather in the spring and summer months, have affected the timing and volume of our sales and results of operations. In addition, extreme weather conditions, including snow and ice storms, flood and wind damage, hurricanes, tornadoes, extreme rain, and droughts, have impacted operating results both negatively and positively, depending on the severity and length of these conditions. Our strategy is to manage product flow and adjust merchandise assortments and depth of inventory to capitalize on seasonal demand trends.

Comparable Store Metrics

Comparable store metrics are calculated on an annual basis using sales generated from all stores open at least one year and all online sales and exclude certain adjustments to net sales. Stores closed during either of the years being compared are removed from our comparable store metrics calculations. Stores relocated during either of the years being compared are not removed from our comparable store metrics calculations. If the effect of relocated stores on our comparable store metrics calculations became material, we would remove relocated stores from the calculations.

Results of Operations

Fiscal Three Months (Third Quarter) Ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 increased 5.4% to $1.98 billion from $1.88 billion for the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Comparable store sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 were $1.94 billion, a 2.9% increase as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Comparable store sales increased 5.1% for the third quarter of fiscal 2018.

The comparable store sales results for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 included increases in comparable average transaction value and transaction count of 2.3% and 0.6%, respectively. Comparable stores sales growth was geographically broad-based, driven primarily by strength in everyday merchandise, including consumable, usable and edible products, along with growth across spring and summer seasonal categories.

In addition to comparable store sales growth for the third quarter of fiscal 2019, sales from stores open less than one year were $50.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2019, which represented 2.7 percentage points of the 5.4% increase over third quarter fiscal 2018 net sales. For the third quarter of fiscal 2018, sales from stores open less than one year were $75.6 million, which represented 4.4 percentage points of the 9.3% increase over third quarter fiscal 2017 net sales.

The following table summarizes store growth for the fiscal three months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018:
 
Fiscal Three Months Ended
Store Count Information:
September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
Tractor Supply
 
 
 
Beginning of period
1,790

 
1,725

New stores opened
25

 
23

Stores closed
(1
)
 

End of period
1,814

 
1,748

Petsense
 
 
 
Beginning of period
177

 
174

New stores opened
1

 
7

Stores closed
(2
)
 

End of period
176

 
181

Consolidated, end of period
1,990

 
1,929

Stores relocated
1

 



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The following table indicates the percentage of net sales represented by each of our major product categories for the fiscal three months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018:
 
 
Percent of Net Sales
 
 
Fiscal Three Months Ended
 
 
Product Category:
September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
 
Livestock and Pet
49
%
 
49
%
 
Hardware, Tools and Truck
23

 
22

 
Seasonal, Gift and Toy Products
18

 
18

 
Clothing and Footwear
5

 
6

 
Agriculture
5

 
5

 
Total
100
%
 
100
%
 
Gross profit increased 6.3% to $694.2 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 from $653.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2018. As a percent of net sales, gross margin increased 28 basis points to 34.99% for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 from 34.71% for the third quarter of fiscal 2018. The increase in gross margin resulted primarily from the strength of the Company’s price management program and a reduction in transportation costs as a percent of net sales.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 6.5% to $532.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 from $500.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2018. As a percent of net sales, SG&A expenses increased 26 basis points to 26.83% for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 from 26.57% for the third quarter of fiscal 2018. The increase in SG&A as a percent of net sales was primarily attributable to incremental costs associated with a new distribution facility in Frankfort, New York, an executive transition agreement and, to a lesser extent, investment in store team member wages. These SG&A increases were partially offset by lower year-over-year incentive compensation as a percent of net sales, as well as leverage in occupancy and other costs from the increase in comparable store sales. The impact of the executive transition agreement in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 was approximately $2.9 million or 15 basis points, as a percent of net sales. Excluding the impact of the executive transition agreement, adjusted SG&A expenses were $529.5 million, an 11 basis point increase in SG&A expenses as a percent of net sales compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2018.

The effective income tax rate increased to 22.2% for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 compared to 21.5% for the third quarter of fiscal 2018. The primary driver for the increase in the Company’s effective income tax rate was an incremental tax benefit associated with share-based compensation in the third quarter of fiscal 2018.  The Company expects the full fiscal year 2019 effective tax rate to be in a range between 22.4% and 22.6%.

As a result of the foregoing factors, net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 increased 4.6% to $122.1 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $116.8 million, or $0.95 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Excluding the after-tax impact of the executive transition agreement of approximately $2.3 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, adjusted net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2019 was $124.4 million, or $1.04 per diluted share.

Fiscal Nine Months Ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018

Net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2019 increased 6.6% to $6.16 billion from $5.78 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2018. Comparable store sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2019 were $5.99 billion, a 3.6% increase over the first nine months of fiscal 2018. Comparable store sales increased 4.9% for the first nine months of fiscal 2018.

The comparable store sales results for the first nine months of fiscal 2019 included increases in comparable average transaction value and transaction count of 2.5% and 1.1%, respectively. All geographic regions of the Company and all major product categories had positive comparable store sales growth. The increase in comparable store sales was primarily driven by strength in everyday merchandise, including consumable, usable, and edible products, along with strong demand for seasonal categories in each quarter of the year.

In addition to comparable store sales growth for the first nine months of fiscal 2019, sales from stores open less than one year were $179.6 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2019, which represented 3.1 percentage points of the 6.6% increase over the first nine months of fiscal 2018 net sales. For the first nine months of fiscal 2018, sales from stores open less than one year

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were $229.4 million, which represented 4.3 percentage points of the 8.9% increase over the first nine months of fiscal 2017 net sales.

The following table summarizes store growth for the fiscal nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018:
 
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
Store Count Information:
September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
Tractor Supply
 
 
 
Beginning of period
1,765

 
1,685

New stores opened
50

 
63

Stores closed
(1
)
 

End of period
1,814

 
1,748

Petsense
 
 
 
Beginning of period
175

 
168

New stores opened
3

 
14

Stores closed
(2
)
 
(1
)
End of period
176

 
181

Consolidated, end of period
1,990

 
1,929

Stores relocated
2

 
2


The following table indicates the percentage of net sales represented by each of our major product categories for the fiscal nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018:
 
 
Percent of Net Sales
 
 
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
 
 
Product Category:
September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
 
Livestock and Pet
48
%
 
48
%
 
Hardware, Tools and Truck
21

 
21

 
Seasonal, Gift and Toy Products
20

 
20

 
Clothing and Footwear
6

 
6

 
Agriculture
5

 
5

 
Total
100
%
 
100
%
 
Gross profit increased 7.2% to $2.13 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2019 from $1.99 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2018. As a percent of net sales, gross margin increased 20 basis points to 34.58% for the first nine months of fiscal 2019 from 34.38% for the first nine months of fiscal 2018. The increase in gross margin was primarily attributable to strength in the Company’s price management program throughout the first nine months of the year, as well as strong sell through of seasonal categories. Transportation costs did not have a significant impact on the year-over-year change in gross margin.

Total SG&A expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 7.7% to $1.58 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2019 from $1.46 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2018. As a percent of net sales, SG&A expenses increased 25 basis points to 25.60% for the first nine months of fiscal 2019 from 25.35% for the first nine months of fiscal 2018. The increase in SG&A as a percent of net sales was primarily attributable to incremental costs associated with a new distribution facility in Frankfort, New York, and, to a lesser extent, investment in store team member wages. These SG&A increases were partially offset by lower year-over-year incentive compensation as a percent of net sales, as well as leverage in occupancy and other costs from the increase in comparable store sales.

The effective income tax rate increased to 22.2% for the first nine months of fiscal 2019 compared to 22.1% for the first nine months of fiscal 2018. The Company expects the full fiscal year 2019 effective tax rate to be in a range between 22.4% and 22.6%.

As a result of the foregoing factors, net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2019 increased 5.7% to $418.2 million, or $3.45 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $395.5 million, or $3.20 per diluted share, for the first nine months of fiscal 2018.

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Excluding the after-tax impact of the executive transition agreement of approximately $2.3 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, adjusted net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2019 was $420.5 million, or $3.47 per diluted share.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

In addition to normal operating expenses, our primary ongoing cash requirements are for new store expansion, remodeling and relocation programs, distribution facility capacity and improvements, information technology, inventory purchases, repayment of existing borrowings under our debt facilities, share repurchases, cash dividends, and selective acquisitions as opportunities arise.  

Our primary ongoing sources of liquidity are existing cash balances, cash provided from operations, remaining funds available under our debt facilities, finance and operating leases, and normal trade credit.  Our inventory and accounts payable levels typically build in the first and third fiscal quarters to support the higher sales volume of the spring and cold-weather selling seasons, respectively.

The Company believes that its existing cash balances, expected cash flow from future operations, funds available under its debt facilities, finance and operating leases, and normal trade credit will be sufficient to fund its operations and its capital expenditure needs, including new store openings, store acquisitions, relocations and renovations, and distribution facility capacity, through the end of fiscal 2019.

Working Capital

At September 28, 2019, the Company had working capital of $753.8 million, which decreased $102.5 million from December 29, 2018, and decreased $213.4 million from September 29, 2018.  The shifts in working capital were attributable to changes in the following components of current assets and current liabilities (in millions):
 
September 28,
2019
 
December 29,
2018
 
Variance
 
September 29,
2018
 
Variance
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
82.6

 
$
86.3

 
$
(3.7
)
 
$
71.3

 
$
11.3

Inventories
1,812.8

 
1,589.5

 
223.3

 
1,737.3

 
75.5

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
104.5

 
114.5

 
(10.0
)
 
109.5

 
(5.0
)
Income taxes receivable
5.6

 
4.1

 
1.5

 
23.6

 
(18.0
)
Total current assets
2,005.5

 
1,794.4

 
211.1

 
1,941.7

 
63.8

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Accounts payable
679.8

 
620.0

 
59.8

 
683.7

 
(3.9
)
Accrued employee compensation
49.2

 
54.0

 
(4.8
)
 
51.6

 
(2.4
)
Other accrued expenses
218.8

 
232.4

 
(13.6
)
 
209.2

 
9.6

Current portion of long-term debt
30.0

 
26.3

 
3.7

 
26.3

 
3.7

Current portion of finance lease liabilities
3.9

 
3.6

 
0.3

 
3.7

 
0.2

Current portion of operating lease liabilities
270.0

 

 
270.0

 

 
270.0

Income taxes payable

 
1.8

 
(1.8
)
 

 

Total current liabilities
1,251.7

 
938.1

 
313.6

 
974.5

 
277.2

Working capital
$
753.8

 
$
856.3

 
$
(102.5
)
 
$
967.2

 
$
(213.4
)

In comparison to December 29, 2018, working capital as of September 28, 2019, was impacted most significantly by changes in inventories, accounts payable, and the adoption of the new lease accounting standard under ASC 842.

The increase in inventories and accounts payable resulted primarily from the purchase of additional inventory to support new store growth, as well as an increase in average inventory per store principally due to normal seasonal patterns.
The change in operating lease liabilities is due to the adoption of the new lease accounting standard under ASC 842.

In comparison to September 29, 2018, working capital as of September 28, 2019, was impacted most significantly by changes in inventories and the adoption of the new lease accounting standard under ASC 842.

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The increase in inventories resulted primarily from the purchase of additional inventory to support new store growth. Average inventory per store increased slightly due principally to inflation, inclusive of the impact of tariffs, as well as modest growth in everyday merchandise to support positive trends in the business. Accounts payable did not fluctuate in line with the increase in inventory due to the timing of payments.
The change in operating lease liabilities is due to the adoption of the new lease accounting standard under ASC 842.

Debt

The following table summarizes the Company’s outstanding debt as of the dates indicated (in millions):
 
 
September 28,
2019
 
December 29,
2018
 
September 29,
2018
Senior Notes
 
$
150.0

 
$
150.0

 
$
150.0

Senior Credit Facility:
 
 
 
 
 
 
February 2016 Term Loan
 
150.0

 
165.0

 
165.0

June 2017 Term Loan
 
90.0

 
93.8

 
93.8

Revolving credit loans
 
255.0

 

 
166.5

Total outstanding borrowings
 
645.0

 
408.8

 
575.3

Less: unamortized debt issuance costs
 
(1.1
)
 
(1.4
)
 
(1.5
)
Total debt
 
643.9

 
407.4

 
573.8

Less: current portion of long-term debt
 
(30.0
)
 
(26.3
)
 
(26.3
)
Long-term debt
 
$
613.9

 
$
381.1

 
$
547.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding letters of credit
 
$
34.0

 
$
33.5

 
$
36.7


For additional information about the Company’s debt and credit facilities, refer to Note 5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Refer to Note 6 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for information about the Company’s interest rate swap agreements.

Operating Activities

Operating activities provided net cash of $414.3 million and $353.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, respectively.  The $60.9 million increase in net cash provided by operating activities in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2018 is due to changes in the following operating activities (in millions):
 
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
 
September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
 
Variance
Net income
$
418.2

 
$
395.5

 
$
22.7

Depreciation and amortization
144.6

 
131.4

 
13.2

Share-based compensation expense
25.8

 
22.8

 
3.0

Deferred income taxes
8.5

 
5.0

 
3.5

Inventories and accounts payable
(163.4
)
 
(177.0
)
 
13.6

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
10.0

 
(21.2
)
 
31.2

Accrued expenses
(26.4
)
 
20.7

 
(47.1
)
Income taxes
(3.3
)
 
(29.7
)
 
26.4

Other, net
0.3

 
5.9

 
(5.6
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
414.3

 
$
353.4

 
$
60.9


The $60.9 million increase in net cash provided by operating activities in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 compared with the first nine months of fiscal 2018 resulted principally from incremental profitability and new store growth, in addition to the net impact of changes in our operating assets and liabilities which fluctuated due primarily to the timing of payments.


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Investing Activities

Investing activities used net cash of $142.0 million and $191.7 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, respectively. The $49.7 million decrease in net cash used in investing activities primarily reflects a decrease in capital expenditures in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 compared to fiscal 2018.

Capital expenditures for the first nine months of fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 were as follows (in millions):
 
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
 
September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
Information technology
$
66.5

 
$
62.4

New and relocated stores and stores not yet opened
38.6

 
52.1

Existing stores
23.5

 
25.8

Distribution center capacity and improvements
14.3

 
53.2

Corporate and other
1.4

 
0.2

     Total capital expenditures
$
144.3

 
$
193.7


The spending on information technology represents continued support of our store growth and our omni-channel initiatives, as well as improvements in security and compliance, enhancements to our customer relationship management program, and other strategic initiatives.

Spending on existing stores principally reflects routine refresh activity. In the first nine months of fiscal 2019, the Company opened 50 new Tractor Supply stores compared to 63 new Tractor Supply stores during the first nine months of fiscal 2018. The Company also opened three new Petsense stores during the first nine months of fiscal 2019 compared to 14 new Petsense stores during the first nine months of fiscal 2018. We expect to open approximately 80 new Tractor Supply stores during fiscal 2019 compared to 80 new Tractor Supply stores in fiscal 2018. We also expect to open approximately 10 new Petsense stores during fiscal 2019 compared to 18 new Petsense stores in fiscal 2018.

Spending for distribution center capacity and improvements was higher in the first nine months of fiscal 2018 due to the construction of our new northeast distribution center in Frankfort, New York, and the expansion of our distribution center in Waverly, Nebraska. The new northeast distribution center in Frankfort, New York began shipping merchandise to our stores in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The expansion of the Waverly, Nebraska distribution center was completed in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

Financing Activities

Financing activities used net cash of $276.0 million and $199.6 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, respectively. The $76.4 million change in net cash used in financing activities in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2018 is due to changes in the following (in millions):
 
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
 
September 28,
2019
 
September 29,
2018
 
Variance
Net borrowings and repayments under debt facilities
$
236.3

 
$
147.8

 
$
88.5

Repurchase of common stock
(490.0
)
 
(289.2
)
 
(200.8
)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
105.5

 
54.7

 
50.8

Cash dividends paid to stockholders
(121.2
)
 
(109.2
)
 
(12.0
)
Other, net
(6.6
)
 
(3.7
)
 
(2.9
)
Net cash used in financing activities
$
(276.0
)
 
$
(199.6
)
 
$
(76.4
)

The $76.4 million change in net cash used in financing activities in the first nine months of fiscal 2019 compared with the first nine months of fiscal 2018 is due to an increase in repurchases of common stock and quarterly cash dividends. This was partially offset by an increase in borrowings, net of repayments, under our debt facilities as well as an increase in net proceeds from the issuance of common stock stemming from the exercise of stock awards.


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Dividends

During the first nine months of fiscal 2019 and 2018, the Board of Directors declared the following cash dividends:
Date Declared
 
Dividend Amount
Per Share of Common Stock
 
Record Date
 
Date Paid
August 7, 2019
 
$
0.35

 
August 26, 2019
 
September 10, 2019
May 8, 2019
 
$
0.35

 
May 28, 2019
 
June 11, 2019
February 6, 2019
 
$
0.31

 
February 25, 2019
 
March 12, 2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
August 8, 2018
 
$
0.31

 
August 27, 2018
 
September 11, 2018
May 9, 2018
 
$
0.31

 
May 29, 2018
 
June 12, 2018
February 7, 2018
 
$
0.27

 
February 26, 2018
 
March 13, 2018

It is the present intention of the Board of Directors to continue to pay a quarterly cash dividend; however, the declaration and payment of future dividends will be determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion and will depend upon the earnings, financial condition and capital needs of the Company, along with any other factors that the Board of Directors deems relevant.

On November 6, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share of the Company’s outstanding common stock.  The dividend will be paid on December 10, 2019, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 25, 2019.

Share Repurchase Program

The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized common stock repurchases under a share repurchase program. On May 8, 2019, the Board of Directors authorized a $1.5 billion increase to the existing share repurchase program, bringing the total amount authorized to $4.5 billion, exclusive of any fees, commissions, or other expenses related to such repurchases. The repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions.  The timing and amount of any shares repurchased under the program will depend on a variety of factors, including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, capital availability, and other market conditions.  Repurchased shares are accounted for at cost and will be held in treasury for future issuance.  The program may be limited or terminated at any time without prior notice. As of September 28, 2019, the Company had remaining authorization under the share repurchase program of $1.53 billion, exclusive of any fees, commissions, or other expenses.

The following table provides the number of shares repurchased, average price paid per share, and total amount paid for share repurchases during the fiscal three and nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, respectively (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
Fiscal Three Months Ended
 
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
 
September 28, 2019

September 29, 2018
 
September 28, 2019
 
September 29, 2018
Total number of shares repurchased
1,470

 
452

 
4,926

 
4,296

Average price paid per share
$
105.97

 
$
81.23

 
$
99.46

 
$
67.33

Total cash paid for share repurchases
$
155,742

 
$
36,660

 
$
489,977

 
$
289,205


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements are limited to outstanding letters of credit.  Letters of credit allow the Company to purchase inventory, primarily sourced overseas, in a timely manner and support certain risk management programs.

Significant Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

At September 28, 2019, there were no material commitments related to real estate or construction projects extending greater than twelve months.

At September 28, 2019, there were $34.0 million of outstanding letters of credit under the 2016 Senior Credit Facility.

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Index


Significant Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management’s discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial position and results of operations are based upon its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make informed estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  The Company’s significant accounting policies, including areas of critical management judgments and estimates, have primary impact on the following financial statement areas:
-
Inventory valuation
-
Impairment of long-lived assets
-
Self-insurance reserves
-
Impairment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets
 
 
 
 
See the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2018, for a discussion of the Company’s critical accounting policies.  The Company’s financial position and/or results of operations may be materially different when reported under different conditions or when using different assumptions in the application of such policies.  In the event estimates or assumptions prove to be different from actual amounts, adjustments are made in subsequent periods to reflect more current information.

New Accounting Pronouncements    

Refer to Note 13 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for recently adopted accounting pronouncements and recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted as of September 28, 2019.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to interest rate changes, primarily as a result of borrowings under our 2016 Senior Credit Facility (as discussed in Note 5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements) which bear interest based on variable rates.

As discussed in Note 6 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, we entered into interest rate swap agreements which are intended to mitigate interest rate risk associated with future changes in interest rates for the term loan borrowings under the 2016 Senior Credit Facility. As a result of these interest rate swaps, our exposure to interest rate volatility is minimized. The interest rate swap agreements have been executed for risk management purposes and are not held for trading purposes.

A 1% change in interest rates on our variable rate debt in excess of that amount covered by the interest rate swaps would have affected interest expense by approximately $0.4 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, respectively, and $1.3 million for each of the nine months ended September 28, 2019 and September 29, 2018, respectively.

Purchase Price Volatility

Although we cannot determine the full effect of inflation and deflation on our operations, we believe our sales and results of operations are affected by both.  We are subject to market risk with respect to the pricing of certain products and services, which include, among other items, grain, corn, steel, petroleum, cotton, and other commodities, as well as transportation services.  Therefore, we may experience both inflationary and deflationary pressure on product cost, which may impact consumer demand and, as a result, sales and gross margin. Our strategy is to reduce or mitigate the effects of purchase price volatility principally by taking advantage of vendor incentive programs, growing economies of scale from increased volume of purchases, adjusting retail prices and selectively buying from the most competitive vendors without sacrificing quality.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We carried out an evaluation required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the 1934 Act) as of September 28, 2019.  Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of September 28, 2019, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

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Index


Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We adopted the new lease accounting standard under ASC 842 as of December 30, 2018 (see Note 1 and Note 13 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). As a result, we updated accounting policies affected by ASC 842 and modified internal controls over financial reporting related to ASC 842.

There were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

The Company is involved in various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes that any estimated loss related to such matters has been adequately provided for in accrued liabilities, to the extent probable and reasonably estimable. Accordingly, the Company currently expects these matters will be resolved without material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to our risk factors as previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2018.

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Stock repurchase activity during the third quarter of fiscal 2019 was as follows:
Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average
Price Paid
Per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Dollar
Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
June 30, 2019 - July 27, 2019
 
522,500

 
$
111.14

 
522,500

 
$
1,627,756,098

July 28, 2019 - August 24, 2019
(a) 
829,114

 
104.01

 
828,200

 
1,541,623,548

August 25, 2019 - September 28, 2019
(a) 
124,480

 
97.05

 
119,013

 
1,530,099,430

Total
 
1,476,094

 
$
105.95

 
1,469,713

 
$
1,530,099,430

(a) The number of shares purchased and average price paid per share includes 914 and 5,467 shares withheld from vested restricted stock units to satisfy employees’ minimum statutory tax withholding requirements for the periods of July 28, 2019 - August 24, 2019 and August 25, 2019 - September 28, 2019, respectively.

Share repurchases were made pursuant to the share repurchase program described under Part I Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations. We expect to implement the balance of the repurchase program through purchases made from time to time either in the open market or through private transactions, in accordance with regulations of the SEC and other applicable legal requirements.

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5.  Other Information

None.


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Index

Item 6.  Exhibits

Exhibit
10.1
Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated August 22, 2019, by and between Tractor Supply Company and Gregory A. Sandfort (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on August 23, 2019, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). +
10.2
Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated August 22, 2019, by and between Tractor Supply Company and Gregory A. Sandfort (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the Commission on August 23, 2019, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). +
10.3
Transition Agreement, dated September 3, 2019, by and between Tractor Supply Company and Steve K. Barbarick (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 6, 2019, Commission File No. 000-23314, and incorporated herein by reference). +
31.1*
31.2*
32.1*

101.INS
XBRL Instance Document - The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104
The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 28, 2019, formatted in Inline XBRL (included in Exhibit 101).

*
Filed herewith
+
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement


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Index

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
 
 
TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
 
 
 
 
Date:
November 7, 2019
By:
/s/ Kurt D. Barton
 
 
 
Kurt D. Barton
 
 
 
Executive Vice President - Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
 
 
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)

 
 
 


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