Tractor Supply (TSCO) 10-Q2021 Q3 Quarterly report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

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.

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).

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.)

TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

INDEX

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands)

TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 – General:

Nature of Business

On February 17, 2021, the Company announced that it entered into an agreement to acquire all of the outstanding equity interests of Orscheln Farm and Home, LLC, a farm and ranch retailer with 167 retail stores in 11 states, in an all-cash transaction for approximately $320 million. The Company intends to fund the acquisition through cash-on-hand. The acquisition is conditioned on the receipt of regulatory clearance and satisfactory completion of customary closing conditions.

The accompanying interim unaudited 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 26, 2020.  The results of operations for our interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full fiscal year.

COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant public health concerns as well as economic disruption, uncertainty, and volatility which may negatively affect our business operations. As a result, if the pandemic persists or worsens, our accounting estimates and assumptions could be impacted in subsequent interim reports and upon final determination at year-end, and it is reasonably possible such changes could be significant (although the potential effects cannot be estimated at this time).

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.

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 $1.00 billion in borrowings under its debt facilities at September 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020, and $910.0 million in borrowings under its debt facilities at September 26, 2020. 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 liability of $0.8 million, $4.4 million, and $7.9 million at September 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, and September 26, 2020, respectively.

Note 3 – Share-Based Compensation:

Share-based compensation includes stock options, restricted stock units, performance-based restricted share units, and 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 25, 2021.

Share-based compensation expense was $12.5 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 and 2020, and $35.7 million and $27.0 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively.

The following table summarizes information concerning stock option grants during the first nine months of fiscal 2021:

As of September 25, 2021, total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock options was approximately $10.1 million with a remaining weighted average expense recognition period of 2.0 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 2021:

In the first nine months of fiscal 2021, the Company granted performance-based restricted share unit 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 and also include a relative total shareholder return modifier. 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-based restricted share unit awards, which may be higher or lower than the target, will be determined by the level of achievement of the performance goals and the relative total shareholder return modifier. If the performance targets are achieved, the units will be issued based on the achievement level, inclusive of the relative total shareholder return modifier, and the grant date fair value and will cliff vest in full on the third anniversary of the date of the grant.

As of September 25, 2021, total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock units and non-vested performance-based restricted share units was approximately $63.3 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):

Anti-dilutive stock awards excluded from the above calculations totaled less than 0.1 million shares for the fiscal three months ended September 25, 2021 and September 26, 2020. Anti-dilutive stock awards excluded from the above calculations also totaled less than 0.1 million shares for the fiscal nine months ended September 25, 2021 and September 26, 2020.

The following table summarizes the Company’s outstanding debt as of the dates indicated (in millions):

1.75% Senior Notes due 2030

On October 30, 2020, the Company issued and sold, in a public offering, $650 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due November 1, 2030, bearing interest at 1.75% per annum (the “1.75% Senior Notes”). The entire principal amount of the 1.75% Senior Notes is due in full on November 1, 2030. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on each November 1 and May 1. The terms of the 1.75% Senior Notes are governed by an indenture dated as of October 30, 2020 (the “Base Indenture”) between the Company and Regions Bank, as trustee, as amended and supplemented by a first supplemental indenture dated as of October 30, 2020 (the “Supplemental Indenture”), between the Company and Regions Bank, as trustee.

The 1.75% Senior Notes are senior unsecured debt obligations of the Company and will rank equally with the Company’s other senior unsecured liabilities and senior to any future subordinated indebtedness of the Company. The 1.75% Senior Notes are subject to customary covenants restricting the Company’s ability, subject to certain exceptions, to incur debt secured by liens, to enter into sale and leaseback transactions, or to merge or consolidate with another entity or sell substantially all of its assets to another person.

At any time prior to August 1, 2030, the Company will have the right, at its option, to redeem the 1.75% Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, by paying the greater of 100% of the principal amount of the 1.75% Senior Notes to be redeemed, or the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest through the par call date, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of redemption. In addition, on or after August 1, 2030, the Company will have the right, at its option, to redeem the 1.75% Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 1.75% Senior Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including the date of redemption.

If a Change of Control Triggering Event (as defined in the Supplemental Indenture) occurs, unless the Company has exercised its right to redeem the 1.75% Senior Notes, holders of the 1.75% Senior Notes may require the Company to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s 1.75% Senior Notes at a purchase price of 101% of the principal amount of the 1.75% Senior Notes being purchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such 1.75% Senior Notes to, but not including, the purchase date. Upon the occurrence of an event of default with respect to the 1.75% Senior Notes, which includes payment defaults, defaults in the performance of certain covenants, cross defaults, and bankruptcy and insolvency related defaults, the Company’s obligations under the 1.75% Senior Notes may be accelerated, in which case the entire principal amount of the 1.75% Senior Notes would be due and payable immediately.

Senior Note Facility (including 3.70% Senior Notes due 2029)

On August 14, 2017, the Company entered into a note purchase and private shelf agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”), as amended from time to time, pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell, in a private placement, $150 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due August 14, 2029, bearing interest at 3.70% per annum (the “3.70% Senior Notes”). The entire principal amount of the 3.70% Senior Notes is due in full on August 14, 2029. Interest is 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.

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 $300 million minus the aggregate principal amount of all notes outstanding and issued under the Note Purchase Agreement. 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 November 4, 2023, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement.

Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, the 3.70% Senior Notes and any Shelf Notes (collectively, the "Senior Note Facility") 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 Senior Note Facility being redeemed, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon and a make whole amount calculated by discounting all remaining scheduled payments on the Senior Note Facility by the yield on the U.S. Treasury security with a maturity equal to the remaining average life of the Senior Note Facility plus 0.50%.

On February 19, 2016, the Company entered into a senior credit facility, as amended from time to time, and as amended and restated on November 4, 2020 (the “Senior Credit Facility”), which provides borrowing capacity under term loan facilities as well as a revolving credit facility. There are no compensating balance requirements associated with the Senior Credit Facility.

The Senior Credit Facility contains a $500 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) with a sublimit of $50 million for swingline loans and a sublimit of $150 million for letters of credit. This agreement is unsecured and matures on November 4, 2023, which, subject to satisfaction of certain terms and conditions, may be extended at the option of the Company to November 4, 2024 (as may be extended, the “Senior Credit Facility Maturity Date”).

Under the Senior Credit Facility, on November 4, 2020, a $200 million term loan (the “November 2020 Term Loan”) was extended to the Company. The November 2020 Term Loan is unsecured, and the entire principal amount is due in full on the Senior Credit Facility Maturity Date.

Borrowings under both the Revolver and the November 2020 Term Loan each bear interest either at the bank’s base rate (3.250% at September 25, 2021) plus an additional amount ranging from 0.000% to 0.375% (0.125% at September 25, 2021) or at the London Inter-Bank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) (0.085% at September 25, 2021) plus an additional amount ranging from 0.875% to 1.375% per annum (1.125% at September 25, 2021), adjusted based on the Company's public credit ratings. The Company is also required to pay, quarterly in arrears, a commitment fee related to unused capacity on the Revolver ranging from 0.090% to 0.200% per annum (0.125% at September 25, 2021), adjusted based on the Company's public credit ratings.

As further described in Note 6, the Company has entered into an interest rate swap agreement in order to hedge our exposure to variable rate interest payments associated with the Senior Credit Facility.

On June 15, 2017, the Company entered into a $100 million incremental term loan agreement (the “June 2017 Term Loan”). This agreement was repaid in full on November 4, 2020, and is no longer in effect.

On March 12, 2020, the Company entered into a $200 million incremental term loan agreement (the “March 2020 Term Loan”). This agreement was repaid in full on November 4, 2020, and is no longer in effect.

On April 22, 2020, the Company entered into a $350 million incremental term loan agreement (the "April 2020 Term Loan"). This agreement was repaid in full on October 30, 2020, and is no longer in effect.

Covenants and Default Provisions of the Debt Agreements

The 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 total funded 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 subsidiary indebtedness, business operations, subsidiary guarantees, mergers, consolidations and sales of assets, transactions with subsidiaries or affiliates, and liens.  As of September 25, 2021, 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 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.

The Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement which became effective on March 18, 2020, with a maturity date of March 18, 2025. The notional amount of this swap agreement is fixed at $200 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 Senior Credit Facility. The 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 25, 2021, amounts to be reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss) (“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 25, 2021.

The assets and liabilities measured at fair value related to the Company’s interest rate swaps, excluding accrued interest, were as follows (in thousands):

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):

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):

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

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 25, 2021, 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 25, 2021, the Company had not breached any of these provisions or posted any collateral related to the underlying interest rate swap agreements.

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 Company's Board of Directors.

Dividends

During the first nine months of fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, the Company's Board of Directors declared the following cash dividends:

It is the present intention of the Company’s Board of Directors to continue to pay a quarterly cash dividend; however, the declaration and payment of future dividends will be determined by the Company’s 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 Company’s Board of Directors deem relevant.

On November 3, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.52 per share of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The dividend will be paid on December 8, 2021, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 22, 2021.

The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized common stock repurchases under a share repurchase program which was announced in February 2007. The authorization amount of the program, which has been increased from time to time, is currently authorized for up to $4.5 billion, exclusive of any fees, commissions, or other expenses related to such repurchases. The share repurchase program does not have an expiration date. 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, temporarily paused (as it was from March 12, 2020 until November 5, 2020 in order to strengthen the Company's liquidity and preserve cash while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic), or terminated at any time without prior notice. As of September 25, 2021, the Company had remaining authorization under the share repurchase program of $545.9 million, 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 25, 2021 and September 26, 2020, respectively (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Note 9 – Income Taxes:

The Company’s effective income tax rate was 22.9% in the third quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to 22.2% in the third quarter of fiscal 2020. The effective income tax rate was 21.9% in the first nine months of fiscal 2021 compared to 22.6% in the first nine months of fiscal 2020. The improvement in the effective income tax rate in the first nine months of fiscal 2021 compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2020 was primarily related to a discrete incremental tax benefit associated with share-based compensation.

Note 10 – Commitments and Contingencies:

Construction and Real Estate Commitments

The Company is building a new distribution center in Navarre, Ohio, which is expected to be approximately 900,000 square feet and is currently anticipated to be complete by the end of fiscal 2022. At September 25, 2021, the Company had contractual commitments of approximately $93.8 million related to the construction of this new distribution center.

Letters of Credit

At September 25, 2021, there were $46.5 million of outstanding letters of credit under the Senior Credit Facility.

Litigation

The Company is also involved in various other litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes that, based upon information currently available, 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.  However, litigation and other legal matters involve an element of uncertainty. Future developments in such matters, including adverse decisions or settlements or resulting required changes to the Company's business operations, could affect our consolidated operating results when resolved in future periods or could result in liability or other amounts material to the Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 11 – Segment Reporting:

The Company has 1 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 25, 2021 and September 26, 2020:

Note 12 – New Accounting Pronouncements:

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope." This collective guidance is in response to accounting concerns regarding contract modifications and hedge accounting because of impending rate reform associated with structural risks of interbank offered rates (IBORs), and, particularly, the risk of cessation of LIBOR related to regulators in several jurisdictions around the world having undertaken reference rate reform initiatives to identify alternative reference rates. The guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The adoption of this guidance is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

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 26, 2020 (the "2020 Form 10-K"). This Quarterly Report on 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, the timing and amount of share repurchases, 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, including the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the efficacy and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, the timing and acceptance of new products, the timing and mix of goods sold, purchase price volatility (including inflationary and deflationary pressures), transportation costs, constraints in the supply chain affecting timing and availability of merchandise inventory, the ability to increase sales at existing stores or on our e-commerce platforms, the ability to manage growth and identify suitable locations, the ability to complete acquisitions on expected terms, failure of an acquisition to produce anticipated results, the ability to successfully manage expenses (including increased expenses as a result of operating as an essential retailer during the COVID-19 pandemic) and to 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, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to open distribution centers in the anticipated timeframe and within budget, 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, our ability to meet our sustainability, stewardship, carbon emission, and DE&I related ESG projections, goals, and commitments, product liability and other claims, changes in federal, state, or local regulations, the effects that “shelter in place” and similar federal, state, and local regulations and protocols could have on our business, including our supply chain and employees, the effectiveness of the Company’s responses to COVID-19, including our efforts to make a vaccine available to our employees, and customer response with respect to those actions, the refusal by our employees and the public generally to be vaccinated against COVID-19, 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 Part I, Item 1A of our 2020 Form 10-K and in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  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.

The Company continues to closely monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all facets of our business. This includes the impact on our team members, customers, suppliers, vendors, business partners, and supply chain networks.

The health and safety of our team members and customers are the primary concerns of our management team. We have taken and continue to take numerous actions to promote health and safety, including, encouraging vaccination efforts, providing personal protective equipment to our team members, following local and federal guidance regarding the use of masks in our

facilities, maintaining enhanced services for cleaning and sanitation, continuing to provide additional functionality to support contactless shopping experiences, promoting social distancing and cleaning actions in our stores, and continuing to offer remote work plans at our store support center.

As further described in the results of operations, our net sales have continued to increase due to customer demand across all major product categories, channels, and geographic regions. However, the net incremental costs of doing business during this pandemic have increased, as a result of the aforementioned actions we have taken, and continue to take, to support and promote the safety and well-being of our team members and customers, and we believe many of these incremental costs will continue after the pandemic is over.

There are numerous uncertainties surrounding the pandemic and its impact on the economy and our business, as further described in the Risk Factors section under Part I, Item 1A of our 2020 Form 10-K, which make it difficult to predict the impact on our business, financial position, or results of operations in fiscal 2021 and beyond. While our stores, distribution centers, and e-commerce operations are open and plan to remain open, we cannot predict the uncertainties, or the corresponding impacts on our business, at this time.

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 usually 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-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 unfavorably 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.

Furthermore, we are not able to predict at this time the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on the seasonality of our business in the future.

Performance Metrics

Comparable Store Metrics

Comparable store metrics are a key performance indicator used in the retail industry and by the Company to measure the performance of the underlying business. Our 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.

Transaction Count and Transaction Value

Transaction count and transaction value metrics are used by the Company to measure sales performance. Transaction count represents the number of customer transactions during a given period. Transaction value represents the average amount paid per transaction and is calculated as net sales divided by the total number of customer transactions during a given period.

Results of Operations

Fiscal Three Months (Third Quarter) Ended September 25, 2021 and September 26, 2020

Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 increased 15.8% to $3.02 billion from $2.61 billion for the third quarter of fiscal 2020. Comparable store sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 were $2.95 billion, a 13.1% increase as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2020. In the third quarter of fiscal 2020, net sales increased 31.4% and comparable store sales increased 26.8%.

The comparable store sales results for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 included an increase in comparable average transaction value of 9.5% and an increase in comparable average transaction count of 3.6%, each as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2020. Our sales performance continued to benefit from growth in new customer acquisition and the re-engagement of lapsed customers, as well as a continuation of shifting consumer behavior trends from the COVID-19 pandemic as customers focused on the care of their homes, land, and animals. These factors all led to an increase in comparable store sales across all major product categories, driven by robust growth for everyday merchandise, including consumable, usable, and edible ("C.U.E.") products and solid demand for summer seasonal categories. All geographic regions of the Company had positive comparable store sales growth. In addition, the Company’s e-commerce sales also experienced double-digit percentage growth compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

In addition to comparable store sales growth for the third quarter of fiscal 2021, sales from stores open less than one year were $70.3 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2021, which represented 2.7 percentage points of the 15.8% increase over third quarter fiscal 2020 net sales. For the third quarter of fiscal 2020, sales from stores open less than one year were $93.6 million, which represented 4.7 percentage points of the 31.4% increase over third quarter fiscal 2019 net sales.

The following table summarizes store growth for the fiscal three months ended September 25, 2021 and September 26, 2020:

The following table indicates the percentage of net sales represented by each of our major product categories for the fiscal three months ended September 25, 2021 and September 26, 2020:

Gross profit increased 14.5% to $1.09 billion for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 from $948.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2020. As a percent of net sales, gross margin in the third quarter of fiscal 2021 decreased 41 basis points to 36.0% from 36.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2020. The decrease in gross margin as a percent of net sales was primarily driven by higher product cost inflation, higher transportation costs, and product mix shift towards C.U.E. products. Partially offsetting the decrease was the Company’s price management program, which effectively offset a significant portion of the inflation pressures.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 13.3% to $788.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 from $695.8 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2020. As a percent of net sales, SG&A expenses were 26.1%, a 58 basis point improvement over the prior year's third quarter. The improvement in SG&A as a percent of net sales was primarily attributable to leverage in occupancy and other fixed costs from the increase in our comparable store sales, along with lower COVID-19 pandemic response costs and decreased incentive compensation. COVID-19 pandemic response costs in the third quarter of fiscal 2021 of approximately $11.5 million consisted of sick pay, benefits, and other health and safety related expenses, as compared to approximately $20.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020. The leverage from these SG&A expenses was partially offset by higher wage rates, incremental store labor hours, and investments in the Company’s strategic initiatives.

Operating income for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 increased 17.9% to $297.2 million compared to $252.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

The effective income tax rate was 22.9% in the third quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to 22.2% in the third quarter of fiscal 2020. The primary driver for the increase in the Company's effective income tax rate was attributable to a reduction in the benefit associated with share-based compensation.

As a result of the foregoing factors, net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2021 increased 17.7% to $224.4 million, or $1.95 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $190.6 million, or $1.62 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2020.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2021, we repurchased approximately 0.7 million shares of the Company’s common stock at a total cost of $141.3 million as part of our share repurchase program and paid quarterly cash dividends totaling $59.4 million, returning $200.6 million to stockholders.

Fiscal Nine Months Ended September 25, 2021 and September 26, 2020

Net sales increased 21.6% to $9.41 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2021 from $7.74 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2020. Comparable store sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2021 were $9.18 billion, a 18.5% increase as compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2020. Net sales increased 25.7% and comparable store sales increased 21.5% in the first nine months of fiscal 2020.

The comparable store sales results for the first nine months of fiscal 2021 included an increase in comparable average transaction value of 9.7% and an increase in comparable average transaction count of 8.8%, each as compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2020. Our sales performance continued to benefit from growth in new customer acquisition and the re-engagement of lapsed customers, as well as a continuation of shifting consumer behavior trends from the COVID-19 pandemic

as customers focused on the care of their homes, land, and animals. Additionally, consumer demand benefited from favorable weather conditions in the first quarter as well as government stimulus throughout the first nine months of fiscal 2021. These factors all led to a significant increase in comparable store sales across all major product categories, driven by strong demand for everyday merchandise, including C.U.E. products, as well as seasonal categories. All geographic regions of the Company had positive comparable store sales growth. In addition, the Company’s e-commerce sales also experienced growth compared to the prior year's first nine months.

In addition to comparable store sales growth for the first nine months of fiscal 2021, sales from stores open less than one year were $253.7 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2021, which represented 3.3 percentage points of the 21.6% increase over the first nine months of fiscal 2020 net sales. For the first nine months of fiscal 2020, sales from stores open less than one year were $264.0 million, which represented 4.3 percentage points of the 25.7% increase over the first nine months of fiscal 2019 net sales.

The following table summarizes store growth for the fiscal nine months ended September 25, 2021 and September 26, 2020:

The following table indicates the percentage of net sales represented by each of our major product categories for the fiscal nine months ended September 25, 2021 and September 26, 2020:

Gross profit increased 21.4% to $3.36 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2021 from $2.77 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2020. As a percent of net sales, gross margin in the first nine months of fiscal 2021 decreased seven basis points to 35.7% as compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2020. The decrease in gross margin as a percent of net sales was primarily driven by higher transportation costs, product cost inflation, and the initial impact from the relaunch of the Company's Neighbor's Club loyalty program. Partially offsetting these factors were lower depth and frequency of sales promotions and less clearance activity, particularly in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, as well as benefits from the Company's price management program.

SG&A expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 19.9% to $2.34 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2021 from $1.95 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2020. As a percent of net sales, SG&A expenses improved 34 basis

points to 24.9% for the first nine months of fiscal 2021 from 25.2% for the first nine months of fiscal 2020. The improvement in SG&A as a percent of net sales was primarily attributable to leverage in incentive costs, occupancy, and other fixed costs from the increase in comparable store sales, as well as decreasing COVID-19 pandemic response costs as compared to the prior year period. COVID-19 pandemic response costs for the first nine months of fiscal 2021 of approximately $52.6 million consisted of sick pay, benefits, and other health and safety related expenses, as compared to approximately $82.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2020. The improvement was partially offset by higher wage rates, additional incremental store labor hours, and investments in the Company's strategic initiatives.

Operating income for the first nine months of fiscal 2021 increased 24.8% to $1.01 billion compared to $812.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2020.

The effective income tax rate was 21.9% in the first nine months of fiscal 2021 compared to 22.6% in the first nine months of fiscal 2020. The improvement in the effective income tax rate in the first nine months of fiscal 2021 compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2020 was primarily related to a discrete incremental tax benefit associated with share-based compensation. The Company expects the full fiscal year 2021 effective tax rate to be in a range between 22.1% and 22.3%.

As a result of the foregoing factors, net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2021 increased 26.5% to $775.8 million, or $6.68 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $613.1 million, or $5.23 per diluted share, for the first nine months of fiscal 2020.

During the first nine months of fiscal 2021, we repurchased approximately 3.5 million shares of the Company’s common stock at a total cost of $598.0 million as part of our share repurchase program and paid quarterly cash dividends totaling $179.8 million, returning $777.8 million to stockholders.

In addition to normal operating expenses, and expenses associated with our COVID-19 response, our primary ongoing cash requirements are for new store expansion, existing store remodeling and improvements, store relocations, 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, operating and finance 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, operating and finance leases, and normal trade credit will be sufficient to fund its operations, including expenses associated with COVID-19, and its capital expenditure needs, including new store openings, existing store remodeling and improvements, store relocations, distribution facility capacity and improvements, and information technology improvements, through the end of fiscal 2021.

At September 25, 2021, the Company had working capital of $1.42 billion, which decreased $93.0 million from December 26, 2020, and increased $383.6 million from September 26, 2020.  The shifts in working capital were attributable to changes in the following components of current assets and current liabilities (in millions):

In comparison to December 26, 2020, working capital as of September 25, 2021, was impacted most significantly by changes in cash and cash equivalents, inventories, and accounts payable.

In comparison to September 26, 2020, working capital as of September 25, 2021, was impacted most significantly by changes in inventories, accounts payable, other accrued expenses, and the current portion of long-term debt.

Debt

The following table summarizes the Company’s outstanding debt as of the dates indicated (in millions):