Tractor Supply Sees Unusually Large Options Volume (NASDAQ:TSCO)

Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO) was the recipient of unusually large options trading activity on Thursday. Stock investors acquired 3,363 put options on the company. This represents an increase of 16% compared to the average daily volume of 2,908 put options.

Tractor Supply Stock Performance

NASDAQ:TSCO traded up $0.07 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $54.36. The stock had a trading volume of 9,309,324 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,541,401. Tractor Supply has a 1-year low of $44.35 and a 1-year high of $61.53. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $55.28 and its 200-day simple moving average is $55.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.48 and a quick ratio of 0.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $29.04 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.44, a PEG ratio of 3.29 and a beta of 0.84.

Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The specialty retailer reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.28 by ($1.84). Tractor Supply had a net margin of 7.53% and a return on equity of 50.19%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Tractor Supply will post 2.05 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Tractor Supply Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 25th were given a $0.22 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 25th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.62%. Tractor Supply’s dividend payout ratio is 42.72%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently weighed in on TSCO shares. Raymond James raised their target price on shares of Tractor Supply from $57.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Benchmark upped their price target on shares of Tractor Supply from $56.00 to $62.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Mizuho upped their price target on shares of Tractor Supply from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. Guggenheim restated a “buy” rating and issued a $60.00 price target on shares of Tractor Supply in a research report on Friday. Finally, Robert W. Baird set a $64.00 price target on shares of Tractor Supply in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $58.90.

Institutional Trading of Tractor Supply

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of TSCO. Global Retirement Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Tractor Supply by 451.3% during the 4th quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 26,918 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $1,428,000 after acquiring an additional 22,035 shares in the last quarter. Wilkinson Global Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Tractor Supply by 400.5% during the 4th quarter. Wilkinson Global Asset Management LLC now owns 27,250 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $1,446,000 after acquiring an additional 21,805 shares in the last quarter. Lorne Steinberg Wealth Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Tractor Supply by 399.6% during the 4th quarter. Lorne Steinberg Wealth Management Inc. now owns 89,000 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $4,722,000 after acquiring an additional 71,185 shares in the last quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund boosted its position in shares of Tractor Supply by 378.9% during the 4th quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 392,115 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $20,806,000 after acquiring an additional 310,234 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mcdonald Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of Tractor Supply by 382.0% during the 4th quarter. Mcdonald Partners LLC now owns 63,378 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $3,363,000 after acquiring an additional 50,228 shares in the last quarter. 98.72% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Tractor Supply Company Profile

Tractor Supply Company operates as a rural lifestyle retailer in the United States. The company offers various merchandise, including livestock and equine feed and equipment, poultry, fencing, and sprayers and chemicals; food, treats, and equipment for dogs, cats, and other small animals, as well as dog wellness products; seasonal and recreation products comprising tractors and riders, lawn and garden, bird feeding, power equipment, and other recreational products; truck, tool, and hardware products, such as truck accessories, trailers, generators, lubricants, batteries, and hardware and tools; and clothing, gift, and décor products consist of clothing, footwear, toys, snacks, and decorative merchandise.