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Wednesday, Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ:TSCO), currently valued at $31.05 billion, received a reaffirmed Buy rating and a $65.00 price target from DA Davidson. The firm’s analyst, Michael Baker, anticipates the company will report improved fourth-quarter results before the market opens on Thursday. According to InvestingPro data, eight analysts have recently revised their earnings estimates upward for the upcoming period, suggesting growing confidence in the company’s performance. Baker forecasts a 1.7% increase in comparable store sales (comps), marking a positive shift from the 0.5% decrease in the second quarter of 2024 and the 0.2% dip in the third quarter.
The consensus for this quarter’s comps stands slightly lower at 1.4%. Baker suggests that weather conditions, including hurricanes earlier in the quarter and a later cold snap, have been beneficial for Tractor Supply’s business. Additionally, industry data from stores selling building materials, garden equipment, and supplies indicates a rise to 2.6% in the fourth quarter from 1.4% in the previous quarter, which could support stronger comps for Tractor Supply.
Historically, Tractor Supply has outperformed the industry average by 150 basis points over the past four quarters. Point of Sale (POS) data further shows a 3.0% increase this quarter compared to a 1.8% increase last quarter, suggesting an acceleration in sales.
On the earnings per share (EPS) front, DA Davidson’s Baker is modeling $0.46, aligning with the consensus and factoring in a 40 basis point margin expansion. This anticipated improvement is attributed to cycling a more challenging margin comparison, especially on the gross margin line, from the same period last year. The upcoming earnings report is expected to shed light on Tractor Supply’s performance and market position as it closes out the fourth quarter of 2024. For deeper insights into TSCO’s valuation and comprehensive financial analysis, investors can access the detailed Pro Research Report available on InvestingPro, which covers over 1,400 top US stocks with expert analysis and actionable intelligence.
In other recent news, Tractor Supply Company has seen several significant developments. Mizuho (NYSE:MFG) Securities has raised its stock target for the company to $62 while maintaining an Outperform rating, ahead of the company’s announcement of its fourth-quarter results and fiscal year 2025 guidance. The firm’s positive outlook stems from a surge in cold-weather demand and an improving agriculture and rural economy sentiment. Tractor Supply has also announced a 5-for-1 stock split, increasing its authorized shares to 2 billion, which is expected to enhance share liquidity and accessibility to a broader investor base.
Furthermore, the company has completed the acquisition of Allivet, an online pet pharmacy, which is projected to present a $1 billion revenue opportunity. BofA Securities adjusted the price target for Tractor Supply to $53.00, maintaining an Underperform rating, while Truist Securities, despite a slight reduction in price target post-stock split, maintained a Buy rating on the stock. These developments underscore Tractor Supply’s commitment to growth and expansion. These are some of the recent developments surrounding Tractor Supply Company.
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