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 endedSeptember 25, 2021March 26, 2022
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
tsco-20220326_g1.jpg
TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware13-3139732
(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)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.008 par valueTSCONASDAQ Global Select Market
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 filerAccelerated filer
 Non-accelerated filerSmaller 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
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.
ClassOutstanding at OctoberApril 23, 20212022
Common Stock, $0.008 par value113,814,924111,881,628




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 25,
2021
December 26,
2020
September 26,
2020
March 26,
2022
December 25,
2021
March 27,
2021
ASSETSASSETS ASSETS 
Current assets:Current assets:   Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalentsCash and cash equivalents$1,111,711 $1,341,756 $1,111,986 Cash and cash equivalents$405,432 $878,030 $1,149,930 
InventoriesInventories2,199,773 1,783,270 1,915,040 Inventories2,568,179 2,191,192 2,084,677 
Prepaid expenses and other current assetsPrepaid expenses and other current assets149,550 133,659 136,098 Prepaid expenses and other current assets185,634 164,118 146,227 
Income taxes receivableIncome taxes receivable6,827 — 7,838 Income taxes receivable9,030 17,100 — 
Total current assetsTotal current assets3,467,861 3,258,685 3,170,962 Total current assets3,168,275 3,250,440 3,380,834 
Property and equipment, netProperty and equipment, net1,441,704 1,248,960 1,178,625 Property and equipment, net1,655,750 1,617,806 1,287,004 
Operating lease right-of-use assetsOperating lease right-of-use assets2,725,510 2,423,881 2,354,196 Operating lease right-of-use assets2,744,095 2,785,858 2,589,418 
Goodwill and other intangible assetsGoodwill and other intangible assets55,520 55,520 124,492 Goodwill and other intangible assets55,520 55,520 55,520 
Deferred income taxesDeferred income taxes16,590 31,586 3,581 Deferred income taxes— 2,437 11,428 
Other assetsOther assets38,009 30,484 28,941 Other assets63,168 55,406 35,475 
Total assetsTotal assets$7,745,194 $7,049,116 $6,860,797 Total assets$7,686,808 $7,767,467 $7,359,679 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITYLIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   
Current liabilities:Current liabilities:   Current liabilities:   
Accounts payableAccounts payable$1,197,813 $976,096 $1,056,911 Accounts payable$1,341,645 $1,155,630 $1,181,924 
Accrued employee compensationAccrued employee compensation122,007 119,701 120,361 Accrued employee compensation49,124 109,618 68,102 
Other accrued expensesOther accrued expenses408,887 324,813 274,244 Other accrued expenses445,079 474,412 377,777 
Current portion of long-term debt— — 380,000 
Current portion of finance lease liabilitiesCurrent portion of finance lease liabilities4,242 4,554 4,407 Current portion of finance lease liabilities4,042 3,897 4,674 
Current portion of operating lease liabilitiesCurrent portion of operating lease liabilities312,296 298,696 294,826 Current portion of operating lease liabilities359,774 321,285 303,222 
Income taxes payableIncome taxes payable762 19,938 1,914 Income taxes payable— — 40,226 
Total current liabilitiesTotal current liabilities2,046,007 1,743,798 2,132,663 Total current liabilities2,199,664 2,064,842 1,975,925 
Long-term debtLong-term debt985,867 984,324 529,264 Long-term debt986,896 986,382 984,838 
Finance lease liabilities, less current portionFinance lease liabilities, less current portion30,041 33,096 32,948 Finance lease liabilities, less current portion36,649 32,848 31,890 
Operating lease liabilities, less current portionOperating lease liabilities, less current portion2,536,875 2,220,904 2,171,773 Operating lease liabilities, less current portion2,529,605 2,574,882 2,399,246 
Deferred income taxesDeferred income taxes37,487 — — 
Other long-term liabilitiesOther long-term liabilities125,651 143,154 118,283 Other long-term liabilities106,485 105,848 115,481 
Total liabilitiesTotal liabilities5,724,441 5,125,276 4,984,931 Total liabilities5,896,786 5,764,802 5,507,380 
Stockholders’ equity:Stockholders’ equity:   Stockholders’ equity:   
Preferred stockPreferred stock— — — Preferred stock— — — 
Common stockCommon stock1,410 1,401 1,398 Common stock1,413 1,411 1,409 
Additional paid-in capitalAdditional paid-in capital1,191,785 1,095,500 1,059,687 Additional paid-in capital1,204,294 1,210,512 1,154,451 
Treasury stockTreasury stock(3,954,926)(3,356,953)(3,277,215)Treasury stock(4,452,026)(4,155,846)(3,610,362)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(592)(3,243)(5,867)
Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss)7,338 1,345 (1,118)
Retained earningsRetained earnings4,783,076 4,187,135 4,097,863 Retained earnings5,029,003 4,945,243 4,307,919 
Total stockholders’ equityTotal stockholders’ equity2,020,753 1,923,840 1,875,866 Total stockholders’ equity1,790,022 2,002,665 1,852,299 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equityTotal liabilities and stockholders’ equity$7,745,194 $7,049,116 $6,860,797 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$7,686,808 $7,767,467 $7,359,679 
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. 176,290, 175,128,176,679, 176,371, and 174,793176,069 shares issued; 113,946, 116,246,112,075, 113,125, and 116,497115,587 shares outstanding at SeptemberMarch 26, 2022, December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, and September 26, 2020,March 27, 2021, respectively.
Treasury Stock (at cost, shares in thousands): 62,344, 58,882,64,604, 63,246, and 58,29660,482 shares at SeptemberMarch 26, 2022, December 25, 2021, December 26, 2020, and September 26, 2020,March 27, 2021, 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 ThreeFor the Fiscal NineFor the Fiscal Three
Months EndedMonths Ended Months Ended
September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
March 26,
2022
March 27,
2021
Net salesNet sales$3,017,926 $2,606,572 $9,411,821 $7,742,087 Net sales$3,024,132 $2,792,336 
Cost of merchandise soldCost of merchandise sold1,932,616 1,658,615 6,055,246 4,976,068 Cost of merchandise sold1,967,623 1,808,556 
Gross profitGross profit1,085,310 947,957 3,356,575 2,766,019 Gross profit1,056,509 983,780 
Selling, general and administrative expensesSelling, general and administrative expenses718,261 641,129 2,148,200 1,794,924 Selling, general and administrative expenses734,577 693,190 
Depreciation and amortizationDepreciation and amortization69,824 54,651 194,731 158,634 Depreciation and amortization77,646 60,054 
Operating incomeOperating income297,225 252,177 1,013,644 812,461 Operating income244,286 230,536 
Interest expense, netInterest expense, net6,146 7,208 20,068 20,695 Interest expense, net7,069 7,221 
Income before income taxesIncome before income taxes291,079 244,969 993,576 791,766 Income before income taxes237,217 223,315 
Income tax expenseIncome tax expense66,679 54,359 217,800 178,701 Income tax expense49,990 41,961 
Net incomeNet income$224,400 $190,610 $775,776 $613,065 Net income$187,227 $181,354 
Net income per share – basicNet income per share – basic$1.96 $1.64 $6.74 $5.27 Net income per share – basic$1.66 $1.56 
Net income per share – dilutedNet income per share – diluted$1.95 $1.62 $6.68 $5.23 Net income per share – diluted$1.65 $1.55 
Weighted average shares outstanding:Weighted average shares outstanding:    Weighted average shares outstanding:  
BasicBasic114,223 116,339 115,170 116,330 Basic112,531 116,153 
DilutedDiluted115,193 117,745 116,170 117,330 Diluted113,504 117,227 
Dividends declared per common share outstandingDividends declared per common share outstanding$0.52 $0.40 $1.56 $1.10 Dividends declared per common share outstanding$0.92 $0.52 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Index
TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
For the Fiscal ThreeFor the Fiscal NineFor the Fiscal Three
Months EndedMonths Ended Months Ended
September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
March 26,
2022
March 27,
2021
Net incomeNet income$224,400 $190,610 $775,776 $613,065 Net income$187,227 $181,354 
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Other comprehensive income:Other comprehensive income:
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxesChange in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes206 468 2,651 (6,066)Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes5,993 2,125 
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)206 468 2,651 (6,066)
Total other comprehensive incomeTotal other comprehensive income5,993 2,125 
Total comprehensive incomeTotal comprehensive income$224,606 $191,078 $778,427 $606,999 Total comprehensive income$193,220 $183,479 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Index
TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
Common StockAdditional
Paid-in
Capital
Treasury
Stock
Accum. Other Comp. (Loss)/IncomeRetained
Earnings
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Common StockAdditional
Paid-in
Capital
Treasury
Stock
Accum. Other Comp. IncomeRetained
Earnings
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
SharesDollarsSharesDollars
Stockholders’ equity at
December 26, 2020
116,246 $1,401 $1,095,500 $(3,356,953)$(3,243)$4,187,135 $1,923,840 
Stockholders’ equity at December 25, 2021Stockholders’ equity at December 25, 2021113,125 $1,411 $1,210,512 $(4,155,846)$1,345 $4,945,243 $2,002,665 
Common stock issuance under stock award plans & ESPPCommon stock issuance under stock award plans & ESPP941 58,700 58,708 Common stock issuance under stock award plans & ESPP308 7,908 7,910 
Share-based compensation expenseShare-based compensation expense12,318 12,318 Share-based compensation expense12,316 12,316 
Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligationsRepurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations(12,067)(12,067)Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations(26,442)(26,442)
Repurchase of common stockRepurchase of common stock(1,600)(253,409)(253,409)Repurchase of common stock(1,358)(296,180)(296,180)
Cash dividends paid to stockholdersCash dividends paid to stockholders(60,570)(60,570)Cash dividends paid to stockholders(103,467)(103,467)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxesChange in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes2,125 2,125 Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes5,993 5,993 
Net incomeNet income181,354 181,354 Net income187,227 187,227 
Stockholders’ equity at
March 27, 2021
115,587 $1,409 $1,154,451 $(3,610,362)$(1,118)$4,307,919 $1,852,299 
Stockholders’ equity at March 26, 2022Stockholders’ equity at March 26, 2022112,075 $1,413 $1,204,294 $(4,452,026)$7,338 $5,029,003 $1,790,022 
Common stock issuance under stock award plans & ESPP154 11,317 11,318 
Share-based compensation expense10,876 10,876 
Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations(1,521)(1,521)
Repurchase of common stock(1,118)(203,305)(203,305)
Cash dividends paid to stockholders(59,896)(59,896)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes320 320 
Net income370,022 370,022 
Stockholders’ equity at
June 26, 2021
114,623 $1,410 $1,175,123 $(3,813,667)$(798)$4,618,045 $1,980,113 
Common stock issuance under stock award plans & ESPP67 — 5,167 5,167 
Share-based compensation expense12,543 12,543 
Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations(1,048)(1,048)
Repurchase of common stock(744)(141,259)(141,259)
Cash dividends paid to stockholders(59,369)(59,369)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes206 206 
Net income224,400 224,400 
Stockholders’ equity at
September 25, 2021
113,946 $1,410 $1,191,785 $(3,954,926)$(592)$4,783,076 $2,020,753 


Page 6

Index

Common Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Treasury
Stock
Accum. Other Comp. Income/(Loss)
Retained
Earnings
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Common Stock
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Treasury
Stock
Accum. Other Comp. (Loss) / Income
Retained
Earnings
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
SharesDollarsSharesDollars
Stockholders’ equity at
December 28, 2019
118,165 $1,389 $966,698 $(3,013,996)$199 $3,612,833 $1,567,123 
Stockholders’ equity at December 26, 2020Stockholders’ equity at December 26, 2020116,246 $1,401 $1,095,500 $(3,356,953)$(3,243)$4,187,135 $1,923,840 
Common stock issuance under stock award plans & ESPPCommon stock issuance under stock award plans & ESPP280 10,601 10,603 Common stock issuance under stock award plans & ESPP941 58,700 58,708 
Share-based compensation expenseShare-based compensation expense6,945 6,945 Share-based compensation expense12,318 12,318 
Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligationsRepurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations(5,407)(5,407)Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations(12,067)(12,067)
Repurchase of common stockRepurchase of common stock(2,853)(263,219)(263,219)Repurchase of common stock(1,600)(253,409)(253,409)
Cash dividends paid to stockholdersCash dividends paid to stockholders(40,849)(40,849)Cash dividends paid to stockholders(60,570)(60,570)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxesChange in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes(5,250)(5,250)Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes2,125 2,125 
Net incomeNet income83,777 83,777 Net income181,354 181,354 
Stockholders’ equity at
March 28, 2020
115,592 $1,391 $978,837 $(3,277,215)$(5,051)$3,655,761 $1,353,723 
Stockholders’ equity at March 27, 2021Stockholders’ equity at March 27, 2021115,587 $1,409 $1,154,451 $(3,610,362)$(1,118)$4,307,919 $1,852,299 
Common stock issuance under stock award plans & ESPP588 39,732 39,737 
Share-based compensation expense7,504 7,504 
Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations(1,984)(1,984)
Repurchase of common stock— — — 
Cash dividends paid to stockholders(40,644)(40,644)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes(1,284)(1,284)
Net income338,678 338,678 
Stockholders’ equity at
June 27, 2020
116,180 $1,396 $1,024,089 $(3,277,215)$(6,335)$3,953,795 $1,695,730 
Common stock issuance under stock award plans & ESPP317 23,411 23,413 
Share-based compensation expense12,528 12,528 
Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations(341)(341)
Repurchase of common stock— — — 
Cash dividends paid to stockholders(46,542)(46,542)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes468 468 
Net income190,610 190,610 
Stockholders’ equity at
September 26, 2020
116,497 $1,398 $1,059,687 $(3,277,215)$(5,867)$4,097,863 $1,875,866 

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


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Index
TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
For the Fiscal Nine Months Ended For the Fiscal Three Months Ended
September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
March 26,
2022
March 27,
2021
Cash flows from operating activities:Cash flows from operating activities:  Cash flows from operating activities:  
Net incomeNet income$775,776 $613,065 Net income$187,227 $181,354 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortizationDepreciation and amortization194,731 158,634 Depreciation and amortization77,646 60,054 
Loss/(gain) on disposition of property and equipment3,295 (774)
Loss on disposition of property and equipmentLoss on disposition of property and equipment326 108 
Share-based compensation expenseShare-based compensation expense35,737 26,977 Share-based compensation expense12,316 12,318 
Deferred income taxesDeferred income taxes14,996 (3,734)Deferred income taxes39,924 20,158 
Change in assets and liabilities:Change in assets and liabilities:  Change in assets and liabilities:  
InventoriesInventories(416,503)(312,259)Inventories(376,987)(301,407)
Prepaid expenses and other current assetsPrepaid expenses and other current assets(15,891)(35,233)Prepaid expenses and other current assets(21,516)(12,568)
Accounts payableAccounts payable221,717 413,875 Accounts payable186,015 205,828 
Accrued employee compensationAccrued employee compensation2,306 80,606 Accrued employee compensation(60,494)(51,599)
Other accrued expensesOther accrued expenses74,680 20,279 Other accrued expenses(28,463)55,305 
Income taxesIncome taxes(26,003)(11,908)Income taxes8,070 20,288 
OtherOther6,996 55,447 Other35,002 (12,722)
Net cash provided by operating activitiesNet cash provided by operating activities871,837 1,004,975 Net cash provided by operating activities59,066 177,117 
Cash flows from investing activities:Cash flows from investing activities:  Cash flows from investing activities:  
Capital expendituresCapital expenditures(382,358)(161,292)Capital expenditures(112,387)(100,741)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipmentProceeds from sale of property and equipment1,094 1,130 Proceeds from sale of property and equipment99 222 
Net cash used in investing activitiesNet cash used in investing activities(381,264)(160,162)Net cash used in investing activities(112,288)(100,519)
Cash flows from financing activities:Cash flows from financing activities:  Cash flows from financing activities:  
Borrowings under debt facilities— 1,159,000 
Repayments under debt facilities— (646,500)
Debt discounts and issuance costs— (1,237)
Principal payments under finance lease liabilitiesPrincipal payments under finance lease liabilities(3,367)(3,098)Principal payments under finance lease liabilities(1,197)(1,086)
Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligationsRepurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations(14,636)(7,732)Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations(26,442)(12,067)
Repurchase of common stockRepurchase of common stock(597,973)(263,219)Repurchase of common stock(296,180)(253,409)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stockNet proceeds from issuance of common stock75,193 73,753 Net proceeds from issuance of common stock7,910 58,708 
Cash dividends paid to stockholdersCash dividends paid to stockholders(179,835)(128,035)Cash dividends paid to stockholders(103,467)(60,570)
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities(720,618)182,932 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents(230,045)1,027,745 
Net cash used in financing activitiesNet cash used in financing activities(419,376)(268,424)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalentsNet decrease in cash and cash equivalents(472,598)(191,826)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of periodCash and cash equivalents at beginning of period1,341,756 84,241 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period878,030 1,341,756 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of periodCash and cash equivalents at end of period$1,111,711 $1,111,986 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$405,432 $1,149,930 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:  Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:  
Cash paid during the period for:Cash paid during the period for:  Cash paid during the period for:  
InterestInterest$16,008 $18,304 Interest$4,404 $4,216 
Income taxesIncome taxes229,122 191,743 Income taxes3,897 2,071 
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities:Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities:Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities:
Non-cash accruals for property and equipmentNon-cash accruals for property and equipment$22,036 $14,199 Non-cash accruals for property and equipment$23,538 $10,301 
Increase of operating lease assets and liabilities from new or modified leasesIncrease of operating lease assets and liabilities from new or modified leases534,222 381,486 Increase of operating lease assets and liabilities from new or modified leases37,694 238,494 
Increase of finance lease assets and liabilities from new or modified leasesIncrease of finance lease assets and liabilities from new or modified leases— 6,028 Increase of finance lease assets and liabilities from new or modified leases5,143 — 

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

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 – General:

Nature of Business

Founded in 1938, Tractor Supply Company (the “Company,” "Tractor Supply," “we,” “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, ranchers, and all those who enjoy living the rural lifestyle (which we refer to as the “Out Here” lifestyle). OurThe Company's stores are located primarily in towns outlying major metropolitan markets and in rural communities. The Company also owns and operates Petsense, LLC (“Petsense”("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 25, 2021,March 26, 2022, the Company operated a total of 2,1442,181 retail stores in 49 states (1,967(2,003 Tractor Supply and Del’s retail stores and 177178 Petsense retail stores) and also offered an expanded assortment of products through the Tractor Supply Company mobile application and online at TractorSupply.com and Petsense.com.

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 Company continues to work collaboratively with the Federal Trade Commission on the transaction.

Basis of Presentation

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, 2020.25, 2021.  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).significant.

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 the London Inter-Bank Offer Rate ("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.

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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 Septembereach of March 26, 2022, December 25, 2021, and December 26, 2020, and $910.0 million in borrowings under its debt facilities at September 26, 2020.March 27, 2021. 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, theThe fair value of the interest rate swaps, excluding accrued interest,
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was a net asset of $9.9 million and $1.8 million at March 26, 2022 and December 25, 2021, respectively, and a net liability of $0.8 million, $4.4 million, and $7.9$1.5 million at September 25, 2021, December 26, 2020,March 27, 2021. In accordance with hedge accounting, the gains and September 26, 2020, respectively.losses on interest rate swaps that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges are recorded as a component of Other Comprehensive Income, net of related income taxes, and reclassified into earnings in the same income statement line and period during which the hedged transactions affect earnings.

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 ninethree months ended
September 25, 2021.March 26, 2022.

Share-based compensation expense was $12.5$12.3 million for each of the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2021 and 2020, and $35.7 million and $27.0 million for the first nine months of fiscal 20212022 and fiscal 2020, respectively.2021.

Stock Options

The following table summarizes information concerning stock option grants during the first ninethree months of fiscal 2021:2022:

 Fiscal NineThree Months Ended
 September 25, 2021March 26, 2022
Stock options granted247,832135,268 
Weighted average exercise price$145.59221.95 
Weighted average grant date fair value per option$30.7149.92 

As of September 25, 2021,March 26, 2022, total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock options was approximately $10.1$13.4 million with a remaining weighted average expense recognition period of 2.02.3 years.

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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 ninethree months of fiscal 2021:2022:
 Fiscal NineThree Months Ended
 September 25, 2021March 26, 2022
Restricted stock units granted271,249161,524 
Weighted average grant date fair value per share - Restricted stock units$213.60 
Performance-based restricted share units granted (a)
60,05850,620 
Weighted average grant date fair value per share - Performance-based restricted share units$144.09225.15 
(a) Assumes 100% target level achievement of the relative performance targets.

In the first ninethree months of fiscal 2021,2022, 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.grant, subject to continued employment.

As of September 25, 2021,March 26, 2022, total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock units and non-vested performance-based restricted share units was approximately $63.3$88.1 million with a remaining weighted average expense recognition period of 2.12.3 years.

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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 EndedFiscal Three Months Ended
September 25, 2021September 26, 2020
 IncomeSharesPer Share
Amount
IncomeSharesPer Share
 Amount
Basic net income per share:$224,400 114,223 $1.96 $190,610 116,339 $1.64 
Dilutive effect of share-based awards— 970 (0.01)— 1,406 (0.02)
Diluted net income per share:$224,400 115,193 $1.95 $190,610 117,745 $1.62 


Fiscal Nine Months EndedFiscal Nine Months Ended Fiscal Three Months Ended
September 25, 2021September 26, 2020March 26, 2022March 27, 2021
IncomeSharesPer Share
Amount
IncomeSharesPer Share
 Amount
IncomeSharesPer Share
Amount
IncomeSharesPer Share
 Amount
Basic net income per share:Basic net income per share:$775,776 115,170 $6.74 $613,065 116,330 $5.27 Basic net income per share:$187,227 112,531 $1.66 $181,354 116,153 $1.56 
Dilutive effect of share-based awardsDilutive effect of share-based awards— 1,000 (0.06)— 1,000 (0.04)Dilutive effect of share-based awards— 973 (0.01)— 1,074 (0.01)
Diluted net income per share:Diluted net income per share:$775,776 116,170 $6.68 $613,065 117,330 $5.23 Diluted net income per share:$187,227 113,504 $1.65 $181,354 117,227 $1.55 

Anti-dilutive stock awards excluded from the above calculations totaled less than 0.1 million and approximately 0.2 million shares for the fiscal three months ended September 25,March 26, 2022 and March 27, 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.respectively.

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Note 5 – Debt:

The following table summarizes the Company’s outstanding debt as of the dates indicated (in millions):
September 25,
2021
December 26,
2020
September 26,
2020
March 26,
2022
December 25,
2021
March 27,
2021
1.75% Senior Notes due 20301.75% Senior Notes due 2030$650.0 $650.0 $— 1.75% Senior Notes due 2030$650.0 $650.0 $650.0 
3.70% Senior Notes due 2029(a)3.70% Senior Notes due 2029(a)150.0 150.0 150.0 3.70% Senior Notes due 2029(a)150.0 150.0 150.0 
Senior Credit Facility:Senior Credit Facility:Senior Credit Facility:
February 2016 Term Loan— — 130.0 
June 2017 Term Loan— — 80.0 
March 2020 Term Loan— — 200.0 
April 2020 Term Loan— — 350.0 
November 2020 Term LoanNovember 2020 Term Loan200.0 200.0 — November 2020 Term Loan200.0 200.0 200.0 
Revolving credit loansRevolving credit loans— — — Revolving credit loans— — — 
Total outstanding borrowingsTotal outstanding borrowings1,000.0 1,000.0 910.0 Total outstanding borrowings1,000.0 1,000.0 1,000.0 
Less: unamortized debt discounts and issuance costsLess: unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs(14.1)(15.7)(0.7)Less: unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs(13.1)(13.6)(15.2)
Total debtTotal debt985.9 984.3 909.3 Total debt986.9 986.4 984.8 
Less: current portion of long-term debtLess: current portion of long-term debt— — (380.0)Less: current portion of long-term debt— — — 
Long-term debtLong-term debt$985.9 $984.3 $529.3 Long-term debt$986.9 $986.4 $984.8 
Outstanding letters of creditOutstanding letters of credit$46.5 $48.7 $50.4 Outstanding letters of credit$52.8 $52.9 $60.3 

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1.75% Senior Notes due 2030

On October 30, 2020,(a) Also referred to herein as 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"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%.

Senior Credit Facility

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.

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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.Agreement"

Borrowings under both the RevolverCompany's $500 million revolving credit facility (the "Revolver") and the NovemberCompany's $200 million term loan (the "November 2020 Term LoanLoan") each under our senior credit facility (the "Senior Credit Facility") bear interest either at the bank’s base rate (3.250% at September 25, 2021)March 26, 2022) plus an additional amount ranging from 0.000% to 0.375% (0.125% at September 25, 2021)March 26, 2022) or at the London Inter-Bank Offer Rate (“LIBOR”) (0.085%(0.445% at September 25, 2021)March 26, 2022) plus an additional amount ranging from 0.875% to 1.375% per annum (1.125% at September 25, 2021)March 26, 2022), 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)March 26, 2022), adjusted based on the Company's public credit ratings.

As further described in Note 6, theThe 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 February 19, 2016, The interest rate swap agreement will mature on March 18, 2025 and the Company entered into anotional amount of the agreement is fixed at $200 million term loan agreement (the “February 2016 Term Loan”). This agreement was repaid in full on November 4, 2020, and is no longer in effect.

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.million.

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 2.002.0 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 4.004.0 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,March 26, 2022, 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.

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Note 6 – Interest Rate Swaps:

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 previously had interest rate swap agreements associated with the February 2016 Term Loan and the June 2017 Term Loan, each of which was settled in full on November 10, 2020, following the repayment and termination of the associated term loans, and are no longer in effect.

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):
Derivatives Designated
as Cash Flow Hedges
Balance Sheet LocationSeptember 25,
2021
December 26,
2020
September 26,
2020
Interest rate swaps (long-term portion)Other assets$465 $— $— 
Total derivative assets$465 $— $— 
Interest rate swaps (short-term portion)Other accrued expenses$1,260 $1,227 $2,831 
Interest rate swaps (long-term portion)Other long-term liabilities— 3,137 5,055 
Total derivative liabilities$1,260 $4,364 $7,886 

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 25,
2021
December 26,
2020
September 26,
2020
Beginning fiscal year AOCI balance$(3,243)$199 $199 
Current fiscal period gain/(loss) recognized in OCI2,651 (5,666)(6,066)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI— 2,224 — 
Other comprehensive gain/(loss), net of tax2,651 (3,442)(6,066)
Ending fiscal period AOCI balance$(592)$(3,243)$(5,867)

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

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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 EndedFiscal Nine Months Ended
Financial Statement LocationSeptember 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
Amount of gains/(losses) recognized in OCI during the periodOther comprehensive income/(loss)$278 $629 $3,569 $(8,153)

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 EndedFiscal Nine Months Ended
September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
Income tax expense/(benefit) of interest rate swaps on AOCI$72 $161 $918 $(2,087)

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 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.

Note 76 – 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 Company's Board of Directors.

Dividends

During the first ninethree months of fiscal 20212022 and fiscal 2020,2021, the Company's Board of Directors declared the following cash dividends:
Date DeclaredDividend Amount
Per Share of Common Stock
Record DateDate Paid
August 4, 2021January 26, 2022$0.520.92 August 23, 2021February 21, 2022SeptemberMarch 8, 20212022
May 5, 2021$0.52 May 24, 2021June 8, 2021
January 27, 2021$0.52 February 22, 2021March 9, 2021
August 5, 2020$0.40 August 24, 2020September 9, 2020
May 6, 2020$0.35 May 26, 2020June 9, 2020
February 5, 2020$0.35 February 24, 2020March 10, 2020

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.
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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.

Note 87 – Treasury Stock:

The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized common stock repurchases under a share repurchase program which was announced in February 2007. The total authorized amount was increased by the Company's Board of Directors on January 26, 2022 by $2.0 billion for a total authorization amount of the program, which has been increased from time to time, is currently authorized for up to $4.5$6.5 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,March 26, 2022, the Company had remaining authorization under the share repurchase program of $545.9 million,$2.0 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 25,March 26, 2022 and March 27, 2021, and September 26, 2020, respectively (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Fiscal Three Months EndedFiscal Nine Months EndedFiscal Three Months Ended
September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
March 26,
2022
March 27,
2021
Total number of shares repurchasedTotal number of shares repurchased744 — 3,462 2,853 Total number of shares repurchased1,358 1,600 
Average price paid per shareAverage price paid per share$190.03 $— $172.73 $92.28 Average price paid per share$218.07 $158.35 
Total cash paid for share repurchasesTotal cash paid for share repurchases$141,259 $— $597,973 $263,219 Total cash paid for share repurchases$296,180 $253,409 

Note 98 – Income Taxes:

The Company’s effective income tax rate was 22.9%21.1% in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20212022 compared to 22.2%18.8% in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2020.2021. 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 improvementincrease in the effective income tax rate in the first ninethree months of fiscal 2022 compared to the first three months of fiscal 2021 compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2020 was primarily related to a decrease in a discrete incremental tax benefit associated with share-based compensation.

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Note 109 – Commitments and Contingencies:

Construction and Real Estate Commitments

The Company is building a new distribution centercenters in Navarre, Ohio and Maumelle, Arkansas, for which, is expected to be approximately 900,000 square feet and is currently anticipated to be complete by the endas of fiscal 2022. At September 25, 2021,March 26, 2022, the Company had contractual commitments of approximately $93.8$32 million related to the construction of this new distribution center.and $0, respectively.

Letters of Credit

At September 25, 2021,March 26, 2022, there were $46.5$52.8 million ofin outstanding lettersletter of credit under the Senior Credit Facility.

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Litigation

On October 9, 2020, an alleged stockholder, the City of Pontiac Police and Fire Retirement System, filed a derivative lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, purportedly on the Company's behalf, against certain current and former members of our Board of Directors, and the Company as a nominal defendant, seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages payable to the Company, disgorgement, restitution, corporate governance and hiring changes, mandated community investment, and attorneys' fees and costs. Plaintiff allegesalleged that defendants violated the federal securities laws governing proxy solicitations and breached their fiduciary duties by misrepresenting the Company’sCompany's commitment to and support for diversity and inclusion. The Company disputesdisputed the allegations of the complaint. The Company and the individual defendants moved to dismiss the complaint based on plaintiff’splaintiff's failure to make a demand on the Board of Directors and to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. WhileThe case was dismissed during the ultimate outcomefirst quarter of this matter is currently not determinable, we do not believe this litigation will have a2022 with no material impact onto our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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 1110 – 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, 2021March 26, 2022 and September 26, 2020:March 27, 2021:
Fiscal Three Months EndedFiscal Nine Months Ended Fiscal Three Months Ended
Product Category:Product Category:September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
Product Category:March 26,
2022
March 27,
2021
Livestock and PetLivestock and Pet49 %48 %48 %48 %Livestock and Pet53 %51 %
Hardware, Tools and TruckHardware, Tools and Truck19 21 
Seasonal, Gift and Toy ProductsSeasonal, Gift and Toy Products19 19 21 21 Seasonal, Gift and Toy Products17 18 
Hardware, Tools and Truck22 23 21 21 
Clothing and FootwearClothing and FootwearClothing and Footwear
AgricultureAgricultureAgriculture
TotalTotal100 %100 %100 %100 %Total100 %100 %

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.
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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 26, 202025, 2021 (the "2020"2021 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, strategic initiatives, expansion and growth of our business operations, and other such matters are forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are usually identified by or are associated with such words as "intend," "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "optimistic" and similar terminology. 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.statements.

As with any business, many aspectsall phases of our operations are subject to influences outside our control. These factors include, without limitation, the timing of normalized macroeconomic conditions from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company's ability to predict the timing of normalized macroeconomic conditions, national, regional and local economic conditions affecting consumer spending, including the effects of COVID-19, inflation and gas prices, effects resulting from wars or other military operations, including the heightened risk of cyberattacks as a result of the hostilities between Russia and Ukraine; the availability of information technology hardware; the effects that “shelter in place” or other similar mandated or suggested social distancing protocols could have on the business, the costs of doing business as a retailer during the COVID-19 pandemic, the efficacyeffectiveness of the Company’s responses to COVID-19 and distributioncustomer response with respect to those actions, the effects of COVID-19 vaccines,on our suppliers, business partners and supply chain, the timing and acceptance of new products, the timing and mix of goods sold, weather conditions, the seasonal nature of our business, transportation costs, including but not limited to, carrier rates, fuel costs, and other pressures across our supply chain, 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,platform, the ability to manage growth and identify suitable locations for our stores, the abilitypossibility that the acquisition of Orscheln Farm and Home (the “Transaction”) will not close or that the closing may be delayed, the possibility that we may be unable to complete acquisitions onobtain regulatory clearance for the Transaction, the potential for litigation or governmental investigations relating to the Transaction, the occurrence of events, changes or circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the definitive agreement for the Transaction, the risk that we may be unable to successfully integrate any acquired business or that we may not realize the benefits expected terms,from an acquisition, including the Transaction, potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement of an acquisition, including the Transaction, failure of an acquisition to produce anticipated results, the ability to successfully manage expenses, (including increased expenses as a resultparticularly in light of operating as an essential retailer duringCOVID-19, including but not limited to, increases in wages, the COVID-19 pandemic) andability to successfully execute our key gross margin enhancing initiatives, the availability of favorable credit sources, capital market conditions in general, the timing and amount of share repurchases, the ability to open new stores in the time, manner, timing 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 ourthe business, competition, including thatcompetition from online competitors, weather conditions, the seasonal nature of our business,retailers, marketing, merchandising and strategic initiatives, 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&IDiversity, Equity & Inclusion related ESGEnvironmental, Social and Governance 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 imposition of tariffs on imported products or the disallowance of tax deductions on imported products, 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 1AForward-looking statements made by or on behalf of our 2020 Form 10-K and in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  Forward-looking statementsthe Company 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 therethose contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). There can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by the Company will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to or effects on the Company or 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 do not undertake no any
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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.events, except as required by law.

Information Regarding COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic

The Company continuesWe have been and will continue 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. WeOver the course of the pandemic, 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
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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.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 2021 Form 10-K, which make it difficult to predict the impact on our business, financial position, or results of operations in fiscal 20212022 and beyond. While our stores, distribution centers, and e-commerce operations are open and plan to remain open, weWe cannot predict thethese 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.


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Results of Operations

Fiscal Three Months (Third(First Quarter) Ended September 25,March 26, 2022 and March 27, 2021 and September 26, 2020

Net sales for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20212022 increased 15.8%8.3% to $3.02 billion from $2.61$2.79 billion for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2020.2021. Comparable store sales for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20212022 were $2.95$2.94 billion, a 13.1%5.2% increase as compared to the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2020.2021. In the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2020,2021, net sales increased 31.4%42.5% and comparable store sales increased 26.8%38.6%.

The comparable store sales results for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20212022 included an increase in comparable average transaction value of 9.5%6.7% and an increasea decrease in comparable average transaction count of 3.6%1.4%, each as compared to the thirdfirst 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 comparable2021. Comparable store sales across all major product categories, driven bygrowth reflects robust growthdemand for everyday merchandise, including consumable, usable, and edible ("C.U.E.") products and solid demand for summerstrength in winter seasonal categories. All geographic regions ofgoods, partially offset by a slower start to the Company had positive comparable store sales growth.spring selling season. In addition, the Company’s e-commerce sales also experienced double-digit percentage growth compared to the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2020.2021.

In addition to comparable store sales growth for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2022, sales from stores open less than one year were $77.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2022, which represented 2.8 percentage points of the 8.3% increase over first quarter fiscal 2021 net sales. For the first quarter of fiscal 2021, sales from stores open less than one year were $70.3$82.4 million, for the third quarter of fiscal 2021, which represented 2.74.2 percentage points of the 15.8%42.5% increase over thirdfirst 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, 2021March 26, 2022 and September 26, 2020:March 27, 2021:
Fiscal Three Months Ended
Store Count Information:September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
Tractor Supply
Beginning of period1,955 1,881 
New stores opened12 23 
Stores closed— — 
End of period1,967 1,904 
Petsense
Beginning of period174 180 
New stores opened
Stores closed— — 
End of period177 183 
Consolidated, end of period2,144 2,087 
Stores relocated— 
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Fiscal Three Months Ended
Store Count Information:March 26,
2022
March 27,
2021
Tractor Supply
Beginning of period2,003 1,923 
New stores opened— 21 
Stores closed— — 
End of period2,003 1,944 
Petsense
Beginning of period178 182 
New stores opened
Stores closed(1)(7)
End of period178 177 
Consolidated, end of period2,181 2,121 
Stores relocated— 

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, 2021March 26, 2022 and September 26, 2020:March 27, 2021:
Percent of Net Sales
 Fiscal Three Months Ended
Product Category:September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
Livestock and Pet49 %48 %
Seasonal, Gift and Toy Products19 19 
Hardware, Tools and Truck22 23 
Clothing and Footwear
Agriculture
Total100 %100 %

Percent of Net Sales
 Fiscal Three Months Ended
Product Category:March 26,
2022
March 27,
2021
Livestock and Pet53 %51 %
Hardware, Tools and Truck19 21 
Seasonal, Gift and Toy Products17 18 
Clothing and Footwear
Agriculture
Total100 %100 %
 
Gross profit increased 14.5%7.4% to $1.09$1.06 billion for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20212022 from $948.0$983.8 million for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2020.2021. As a percent of net sales, gross margin in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20212022 decreased 4129 basis points to 36.0%34.9% from 36.4% 35.2%
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in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2020.2021. 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’sproducts, which run at a slightly lower margin rate. Heightened transportation costs were caused by increased pressures on domestic and import freight, along with rising fuel prices. The Company's price management program whichand other key gross margin enhancing initiatives effectively offset a significant portion of the inflationthese gross margin driving pressures.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses, including depreciation and amortization, increased 13.3%7.8% to $788.1$812.2 million for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20212022 from $695.8$753.2 million for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2020.2021. As a percent of net sales, SG&A expenses were 26.1%26.9%, a 58an 11 basis point improvement over the prior year's thirdfirst quarter. The improvement in SG&A as a percent of net sales was primarily attributable to more normalized incentive compensation and a moderation of COVID-19 response costs, as well as 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.sales. COVID-19 pandemic response costs in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20212022 of approximately $11.5$10.3 million consisted of sick pay, benefits, and other health and safety related expenses, as compared to approximately $20.3$28.4 million in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2020.2021. The leverage from theseimprovement in SG&A expenses was partially offset by higher wage rates, incremental store labor hours, and investments in store wages and the Company’sCompany's strategic initiatives.growth investments.

Operating income for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20212022 increased 17.9%6.0% to $297.2$244.3 million compared to $252.2$230.5 million in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2020.2021.

The effective income tax rate was 22.9%21.1% in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20212022 compared to 22.2%18.8% in the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2020.2021. The primary driver for the increase in the Company's effective income tax rate in the first three months of fiscal 2022 compared to the first three months of fiscal 2021 was attributableprimarily related to a reductiondecrease in thea discrete incremental tax benefit associated with share-based compensation.

As a result of the foregoing factors, net income for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20212022 increased 17.7%3.2% to $224.4$187.2 million, or $1.95$1.65 per diluted share, as compared to net income of $190.6$181.4 million, or $1.62$1.55 per diluted share, for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2020.2021.

During the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2021,2022, we repurchased approximately 0.71.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock at a total cost of $141.3$296.2 million as part of our share repurchase program and paid quarterly cash dividends totaling $59.4$103.5 million, returning $200.6approximately $399.6 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
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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:
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
Store Count Information:September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
Tractor Supply
Beginning of period1,923 1,844 
New stores opened44 61 
Stores closed— (1)
End of period1,967 1,904 
Petsense
Beginning of period182 180 
New stores opened
Stores closed(11)(3)
End of period177 183 
Consolidated, end of period2,144 2,087 
Stores relocated

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:
Percent of Net Sales
 Fiscal Nine Months Ended
Product Category:September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
Livestock and Pet48 %48 %
Seasonal, Gift and Toy Products21 21 
Hardware, Tools and Truck21 21 
Clothing and Footwear
Agriculture
Total100 %100 %

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
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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.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

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 weathercold-weather selling seasons, respectively.

The Company believesWe believe that itsour existing cash balances, expected cash flow from future operations, funds available under itsour debt facilities, operating and finance leases, and normal trade credit will be sufficient to fund itsour operations including expenses associated with COVID-19, and itsour 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 2021.2022 and through the next several fiscal years. We are not aware of any trends or events that would materially affect our capital requirements or liquidity.

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Working Capital

At September 25, 2021,March 26, 2022, the Company had working capital of $1.42 billion,$968.6 million, which decreased $93.0$217.0 million from December 26, 2020,25, 2021, and increased $383.6decreased $436.3 million from September 26, 2020.March 27, 2021.  The shifts in working capital were attributable to changes in the following components of current assets and current liabilities (in millions):
September 25,
2021
December 26,
2020
VarianceSeptember 26,
2020
Variance March 26,
2022
December 25,
2021
VarianceMarch 27,
2021
Variance
Current assets:Current assets:     Current assets:     
Cash and cash equivalentsCash and cash equivalents$1,111.7 $1,341.8 $(230.1)$1,112.0 $(0.3)Cash and cash equivalents$405.4 $878.0 $(472.6)$1,149.9 $(744.5)
InventoriesInventories2,199.8 1,783.3 416.5 1,915.0 284.8 Inventories2,568.2 2,191.2 377.0 2,084.7 483.5 
Prepaid expenses and other current assetsPrepaid expenses and other current assets149.6 133.6 16.0 136.1 13.5 Prepaid expenses and other current assets185.6 164.1 21.5 146.2 39.4 
Income taxes receivableIncome taxes receivable6.8 — 6.8 7.8 (1.0)Income taxes receivable9.0 17.1 (8.1)— 9.0 
Total current assetsTotal current assets3,467.9 3,258.7 209.2 3,170.9 297.0 Total current assets$3,168.2 $3,250.4 $(82.2)$3,380.8 $(212.6)
Current liabilities:Current liabilities:     Current liabilities:     
Accounts payableAccounts payable1,197.8 976.1 221.7 1,056.9 140.9 Accounts payable$1,341.6 $1,155.6 $186.0 $1,181.9 $159.7 
Accrued employee compensationAccrued employee compensation122.0 119.7 2.3 120.4 1.6 Accrued employee compensation49.1 109.6 (60.5)68.1 (19.0)
Other accrued expensesOther accrued expenses408.9 324.8 84.1 274.2 134.7 Other accrued expenses445.1 474.4 (29.3)377.8 67.3 
Current portion of long-term debtCurrent portion of long-term debt— — — 380.0 (380.0)Current portion of long-term debt— — — — — 
Current portion of finance lease liabilitiesCurrent portion of finance lease liabilities4.2 4.6 (0.4)4.4 (0.2)Current portion of finance lease liabilities4.0 3.9 0.1 4.7 (0.7)
Current portion of operating lease liabilitiesCurrent portion of operating lease liabilities312.3 298.7 13.6 294.8 17.5 Current portion of operating lease liabilities359.8 321.3 38.5 303.2 56.6 
Income taxes payableIncome taxes payable0.8 19.9 (19.1)1.9 (1.1)Income taxes payable— — — 40.2 (40.2)
Total current liabilitiesTotal current liabilities2,046.0 1,743.8 302.2 2,132.6 (86.6)Total current liabilities$2,199.6 $2,064.8 $134.8 $1,975.9 $223.7 
Working capitalWorking capital$1,421.9 $1,514.9 $(93.0)$1,038.3 $383.6 Working capital$968.6 $1,185.6 $(217.0)$1,404.9 $(436.3)

In comparison to December 26, 2020,25, 2021, working capital as of September 25, 2021,March 26, 2022, was impacted most significantly by changes in cash and cash equivalents, inventories, and accounts payable.

The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was primarily driven by uses of cash for share repurchases, capital expenditures to support strategic growth, and cash dividends to stockholders, partially offset by cash generated from operations.
The increase in inventories resulted primarily from the seasonal purchase of additional inventory to support higher sales volume of the cold weather selling season, as well as to support new store growth and the impact of inflation.
The increase in accounts payable resulted from the purchase of additional inventory to support new store growth and strong sales volume trends.

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.

The increase in inventories resulted primarily from the purchase of additional inventory to support new store growth as well as an increase in average inventory per store which principally reflects support for strong sales volume trends and the impact of inflation.
The increase in accounts payable resulted primarily from the purchase of additional inventory as part of the normal seasonal patterns to support new store growththe spring selling season as well as the impact of inflation.

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In comparison to March 27, 2021, working capital as of March 26, 2022, was impacted most significantly by changes in cash and strong sales volume trends.cash equivalents, inventories, and accounts payable.

The decrease in the current portioncash and cash equivalents was primarily driven by uses of long-term debt was relatedcash for share repurchases, capital expenditures to the repayment of all short-term debt obligations, including the $350 million April 2020 Term Loan borrowing, which was executed in the prior year in ordersupport strategic growth, and dividends to strengthen liquidity and preservestockholders, partially offset by cash while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. These borrowings were repaid in full in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 and the underlying loan agreements are no longer in effect.generated from operations.
The increase in other accrued expenses was driveninventories and accounts payable resulted primarily by Company growth year-over-year as well asfrom heightened inventory needs in response to strong sales volume trends, the timingimpact of paymentsinflation, and accruals.additional inventory purchases to support new store growth.

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Debt

The following table summarizes the Company’s outstanding debt as of the dates indicated (in millions):
September 25,
2021
December 26,
2020
September 26,
2020
March 26,
2022
December 25,
2021
March 27,
2021
1.75% Senior Notes due 20301.75% Senior Notes due 2030$650.0 $650.0 $— 1.75% Senior Notes due 2030$650.0 $650.0 $650.0 
3.70% Senior Notes due 20293.70% Senior Notes due 2029150.0 150.0 150.0 3.70% Senior Notes due 2029150.0 150.0 150.0 
Senior Credit Facility:Senior Credit Facility:Senior Credit Facility:
February 2016 Term Loan— — 130.0 
June 2017 Term Loan— — 80.0 
March 2020 Term Loan— — 200.0 
April 2020 Term Loan— — 350.0 
November 2020 Term LoanNovember 2020 Term Loan200.0 200.0 — November 2020 Term Loan200.0 200.0 200.0 
Revolving credit loansRevolving credit loans— — — Revolving credit loans— — — 
Total outstanding borrowingsTotal outstanding borrowings1,000.0 1,000.0 910.0 Total outstanding borrowings1,000.0 1,000.0 1,000.0 
Less: unamortized debt discounts and issuance costsLess: unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs(14.1)(15.7)(0.7)Less: unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs(13.1)(13.6)(15.2)
Total debtTotal debt985.9 984.3 909.3 Total debt986.9 986.4 984.8 
Less: current portion of long-term debtLess: current portion of long-term debt— — (380.0)Less: current portion of long-term debt— — — 
Long-term debtLong-term debt$985.9 $984.3 $529.3 Long-term debt$986.9 $986.4 $984.8 
Outstanding letters of creditOutstanding letters of credit$46.5 $48.7 $50.4 Outstanding letters of credit$52.8 $52.9 $60.3 
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 $0.87 billion$59.1 million and $1.00 billion$177.1 million in the first ninethree months of fiscal 20212022 and fiscal 2020,2021, respectively.  The $133.2$118.0 million decrease in net cash provided by operating activities in the first ninethree months of fiscal 20212022 compared to the first ninethree months of fiscal 20202021 is due to changes in the following operating activities (in millions):
Fiscal Nine Months Ended Fiscal Three Months Ended
September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
Variance March 26,
2022
March 27,
2021
Variance
Net incomeNet income$775.8 $613.1 $162.7 Net income$187.2 $181.4 $5.8 
Depreciation and amortizationDepreciation and amortization194.7 158.6 36.1 Depreciation and amortization77.6 60.1 17.5 
Share-based compensation expenseShare-based compensation expense35.7 27.0 8.7 Share-based compensation expense12.3 12.3 — 
Deferred income taxesDeferred income taxes15.0 (3.7)18.7 Deferred income taxes39.9 20.2 19.7 
Inventories and accounts payableInventories and accounts payable(194.8)101.6 (296.4)Inventories and accounts payable(191.0)(95.6)(95.4)
Prepaid expenses and other current assetsPrepaid expenses and other current assets(15.9)(35.2)19.3 Prepaid expenses and other current assets(21.5)(12.6)(8.9)
Accrued expensesAccrued expenses77.0 100.9 (23.9)Accrued expenses(89.0)3.7 (92.7)
Income taxesIncome taxes(26.0)(11.9)(14.1)Income taxes8.1 20.3 (12.2)
Other, netOther, net10.3 54.6 (44.3)Other, net35.5 (12.7)48.2 
Net cash provided by operating activitiesNet cash provided by operating activities$871.8 $1,005.0 $(133.2)Net cash provided by operating activities$59.1 $177.1 $(118.0)

The $133.2$118.0 million decrease in net cash provided by operating activities in the first ninethree months of fiscal 2022 compared to the first three months of fiscal 2021 compared with the first nine months of fiscal 2020principally resulted from decrease in our net operating assets and liabilities, partially offset by anthe significant increase in our net income, principally due toinventory and accounts payable as well as the timing of payments and accruals and a significant increase in inventory that remained in accounts payable in the prior year period; however, the increase was less significant in the first nine months of fiscal 2021 compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2020 which resulted in a lower year-over-year amount of net cash provided by operating activities.accruals.
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Investing Activities

Investing activities used net cash of $381.3$112.3 million and $160.2$100.5 million in the first ninethree months of fiscal 20212022 and fiscal 2020,2021, respectively. The $221.1$11.8 million increase in net cash used in investing activities primarily reflects an increase in capital expenditures in the first ninethree months of fiscal 20212022 compared to fiscal 2020.2021.

Investing activities, including capital expenditures, for the first ninethree months of fiscal 20212022 and fiscal 20202021 were as follows (in millions):
Fiscal Nine Months Ended Fiscal Three Months Ended
September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
Variance March 26,
2022
March 27,
2021
Variance
Existing storesExisting stores$213.2 $30.6 $182.6 Existing stores$(66.0)$(48.0)$(18.0)
Information technologyInformation technology77.0 72.6 4.4 Information technology(18.4)(30.9)12.5 
Distribution center capacity and improvementsDistribution center capacity and improvements(13.8)(8.3)(5.5)
New and relocated stores and stores not yet openedNew and relocated stores and stores not yet opened46.5 43.8 2.7 New and relocated stores and stores not yet opened(12.5)(12.0)(0.5)
Distribution center capacity and improvements36.9 11.6 25.3 
Corporate and otherCorporate and other8.8 2.7 6.1 Corporate and other(1.7)(1.5)(0.2)
Total capital expenditures Total capital expenditures382.4 161.3 221.1  Total capital expenditures(112.4)(100.7)(11.7)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipmentProceeds from sale of property and equipment1.1 1.1 — Proceeds from sale of property and equipment0.1 0.2 (0.1)
Net cash used in investing activitiesNet cash used in investing activities$381.3 $160.2 $221.1 Net cash used in investing activities$(112.3)$(100.5)$(11.8)

The increase in spending for existing stores in the first ninethree months of fiscal 20212022 as compared to the first ninethree months of fiscal 20202021 principally reflects our strategic initiatives related to store remodels, including internal space productivity and the outside side lot improvements. Spending in the first ninethree months of both fiscal 20212022 and fiscal 20202021 also includes routine refresh activity, as well as security enhancements.

The increasedecrease in spending for information technology representsin the first three months of fiscal 2022 as compared to the first three months of fiscal 2021 is principally due to timing as we anticipate our spending for the year to be generally in line with the prior year. Expenditures for information technology represent continued support offor our omni-channel initiatives, as well as improvements in security and compliance, enhancements and upgrades to our customer loyalty program, mobility in our stores, and other strategic initiatives.

In the first ninethree months of fiscal 2021,2022, the Company opened 44no new Tractor Supply stores compared to 6121 new Tractor Supply stores during the first ninethree months of fiscal 2020.2021. The Company also opened sixone new Petsense storesstore during each of the first ninethree months of fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021. Tractor Supply new store openings were delayed during the quarter by lingering impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and challenges facing the construction industry. The new store expenditures in the first quarter of fiscal 2022 represent the remaining costs for stores that opened in the fourth quarter of 2021 and fiscal 2020.the costs for new stores scheduled to open later in the year. We continue to expect to open approximately 75 to 80 new Tractor Supply stores and approximately 10 new Petsense stores during fiscal 2021. The timing of new store openings reflects some short-term delays, as a result of factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, including local and state orders and constraints on labor and materials in the construction industry.2022.

The increase in spending for distribution center capacity and improvements in the first ninethree months of fiscal 20212022 as compared to the first ninethree months of fiscal 20202021 is related to beginningthe construction of 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.feet.

Our projected capital expenditures for fiscal 20212022 are currently estimated to be in a range of approximately $550$625 million to $600$675 million. The capital expenditures include our new store growth plans fora plan to open approximately 75 to 80 new Tractor Supply stores, to remodel more than 150 stores, and to transform the side lots in approximately 100 locations, along with opening 10 new Petsense stores, as well asstores. Additionally, we plan to begin construction in the constructionmiddle of ourfiscal 2022 on a new distribution center in Navarre, Ohio. We alsoMaumelle, Arkansas, which is currently anticipated to be complete in late 2023. In addition, we plan to support our strategic growth initiatives related to store remodels, space productivity, and side lot improvements in certain existing stores, as well as continued improvements in technology and infrastructure at our existing stores and ongoing investments to enhance our digital and omni-channel capabilities to allow our team members to better serve our customers.customers and to provide an even greater overall shopping experience.

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Financing Activities

Financing activities used net cash of $720.6$419.4 million in the first ninethree months of fiscal 20212022 compared to providingusing net cash of $182.9$268.4 million in the first ninethree months of fiscal 2020.2021. The $903.5$151.0 million change in net cash used in financing activities in the first ninethree months of fiscal 20212022 compared to the first ninethree months of fiscal 20202021 is due to changes in the following (in millions):
Fiscal Nine Months Ended Fiscal Three Months Ended
September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
Variance March 26,
2022
March 27,
2021
Variance
Net borrowings and repayments under debt facilities$— $512.5 $(512.5)
Repurchase of common stockRepurchase of common stock(598.0)(263.2)(334.8)Repurchase of common stock$(296.2)$(253.4)$(42.8)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stockNet proceeds from issuance of common stock75.2 73.8 1.4 Net proceeds from issuance of common stock7.9 58.7 (50.8)
Cash dividends paid to stockholdersCash dividends paid to stockholders(179.8)(128.0)(51.8)Cash dividends paid to stockholders(103.5)(60.6)(42.9)
Other, netOther, net(18.0)(12.2)(5.8)Other, net(27.6)(13.1)(14.5)
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities$(720.6)$182.9 $(903.5)
Net cash used in financing activitiesNet cash used in financing activities$(419.4)$(268.4)$(151.0)

The $903.5$151.0 million change in net cash used in financing activities in the first ninethree months of fiscal 2022 compared to the first three months of fiscal 2021 compared with the first nine months of fiscal 2020 is principally due to actions takenan increase in total shareholder return via the first nine months of fiscal 2020 intended to strengthen our liquidity and preserve cash while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, including borrowings under our debt facilities as well as a temporary suspension of our share repurchase program.

In the first nine months of fiscal 2020, the Company's net borrowings under its debt facilities included the addition of the $200 million March 2020 Term Loan and the $350 million April 2020 Term Loan, each of which was repaid in full during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 as described in Note 5 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company had no borrowing or repayment activity related to its debt facilities in the first nine months of fiscal 2021.

Repurchases of common stock and cash dividends paid to stockholders and a decrease in net proceeds from the first nine monthsissuance of fiscal 2020 were impacted bycommon stock related to the temporary suspensionexercise of our share repurchase program effective March 12, 2020 until November 5, 2020.stock awards.

Dividends

During the first ninethree months of fiscal 20212022 and fiscal 2020,2021, the Company's Board of Directors declared the following cash dividends:
Date DeclaredDividend Amount
Per Share of Common Stock
Record DateDate Paid
August 4, 2021January 26, 2022$0.520.92 August 23, 2021February 21, 2022SeptemberMarch 8, 20212022
May 5, 2021$0.52 May 24, 2021June 8, 2021
January 27, 2021$0.52 February 22, 2021March 9, 2021
August 5, 2020$0.40 August 24, 2020September 9, 2020
May 6, 2020$0.35 May 26, 2020June 9, 2020
February 5, 2020$0.35 February 24, 2020March 10, 2020

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.

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Share Repurchase Program

The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized common stock repurchases under a share repurchase program which was announced in February 2007. The total authorized amount was increased by the Company's Board of Directors on January 26, 2022 by $2.0 billion for a total authorization amount of the program, which has been increased from time to time, is currently authorized for up to $4.5$6.5 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,March 26, 2022, the Company had remaining authorization under the share repurchase program of $545.9 million,$2.0 billion, exclusive of any fees, commissions, or other expenses.

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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,March 26, 2022 and March 27, 2021 and September 26, 2020, respectively (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Fiscal Three Months EndedFiscal Nine Months EndedFiscal Three Months Ended
September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
September 25,
2021
September 26,
2020
March 26,
2022
March 27,
2021
Total number of shares repurchasedTotal number of shares repurchased744 — 3,462 2,853 Total number of shares repurchased1,358 1,600 
Average price paid per shareAverage price paid per share$190.03 $— $172.73 $92.28 Average price paid per share$218.07 $158.35 
Total cash paid for share repurchasesTotal cash paid for share repurchases$141,259 $— $597,973 $263,219 Total cash paid for share repurchases$296,180 $253,409 

Pending Acquisition

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.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

There have been no material changes in The Company continues to work collaboratively with the Company's off-balance sheet arrangements duringFederal Trade Commission on the fiscal quarter ended September 25, 2021. 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.transaction.

Significant Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

For a description of the Company’s significant contractual obligations and commercial commitments, refer to Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part II, Item 8 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021. The Company is building a new distribution centercenters in Navarre, Ohio and Maumelle, Arkansas, for which, is expected to be approximately 900,000 square feet and is currently anticipated to be complete by the endas of fiscal 2022. At September 25, 2021,March 26, 2022, the Company had contractual commitments of approximately $93.8$32 million related toand $0, respectively. As of March 26, 2022, there has been no other material change in the construction of this new distribution center.information disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2021.

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

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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
-Self-insurance reserves
-Impairment of long-lived assets
-Impairment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets

See the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our 2020 2021 Form 10-K, 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    

For recently adopted accounting pronouncements and recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted as of September 25, 2021,March 26, 2022, refer to Note 121 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

For a description of the Company’s quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks, see Part II, Item 7A. "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2020.25, 2021. As of September 25, 2021,March 26, 2022, there has been no material change in this information.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management 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 our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the 1934 Act) as of September 25, 2021.March 26, 2022.  Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of September 25, 2021,March 26, 2022, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no 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.

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PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

For a description of the Company's legal proceedings, refer to Note 109 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

The risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our 2020 2021 Form 10-K should be carefully considered, together with the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC, in connection with evaluating the Company, our business, and the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. There have been no material changes to our risk factors as previously disclosed in our 2020 2021 Form 10-K.10-K. Other risks that we do not presently know about or that we presently believe are not material could also adversely affect us.

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

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Share repurchases were made pursuant to the share repurchase program, which is described under Part I, Item 2. "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Additionally, the Company withholds shares from vested restricted stock units and performance-based restricted share units to satisfy employees’ minimum statutory tax withholding requirements. Stock repurchase activity during the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 20212022 was as follows:
PeriodTotal Number of Shares PurchasedAverage
Price Paid
Per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or ProgramsMaximum Dollar
Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
June 27, 2021 - July 24, 2021(a)306,491 $185.30 306,472 $630,390,670 
July 25, 2021 - August 21, 2021(a)248,242 188.12 242,872 584,697,803 
August 22, 2021 - September 25, 2021(a)194,210 199.87 194,000 545,926,155 
Total748,943 $190.01 743,344 $545,926,155 
PeriodTotal Number of Shares PurchasedAverage
Price Paid
Per Share
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or ProgramsMaximum Dollar
Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
December 26, 2021 - January 22, 2022(a)364,042 $227.93 363,998 $262,056,849 
January 23, 2022 - February 19, 2022(a)755,161 218.00 634,255 2,123,852,488 (b)
February 20, 2022 - March 26, 2022(a)360,069 208.36 359,952 2,048,857,479 
Total1,479,272 $218.10 1,358,205 $2,048,857,479 
(a) The number of shares purchased and average price paid per share includes 19, 5,370,44, 120,906, and 210117 shares withheld from vested stock awards to satisfy employees’ minimum statutory tax withholding requirements for the period of June 27,December 26, 2021 - July 24, 2021, July 25, 2021January 22, 2022, January 23, 2022 - August 21, 2021,February 19, 2022, and August 22, 2021February 20, 2022 - September 25, 2021,March 26, 2022, respectively.
(b) On January 26, 2022 the Board authorized a $2.0 billion increase to its existing share repurchase program, bringing the total amount authorized to date under the program to $6.5 billion.

We expect to implement the balance of the share 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. The timing and amount of any common stock repurchased under the program will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, capital availability, and other market conditions.
Any additional share repurchase programs will be subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon earnings, financial condition, and capital needs of the Company, along with any other factors which the Board of Directors deem relevant. The program may be limited, temporarily paused, or terminated at any time, without prior notice.

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

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Item 5.  Other Information

None.
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Item 6.  Exhibits

Exhibit

31.1*    Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2*    Certification of Chief Financial Officer under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1**    Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101*    The following financial information from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 25, 2021,March 26, 2022, formatted in Inline XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) includes: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity, (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

104*    The cover page from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 25, 2021,March 26, 2022, formatted in Inline XBRL (included in Exhibit 101).

*     Filed herewith
**    Furnished herewith


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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 4, 2021May 5, 2022By:/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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