Traders Buy Large Volume of Put Options on Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO)

Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO) saw some unusual options trading on Thursday. Stock investors bought 3,363 put options on the company. This is an increase of 16% compared to the average volume of 2,908 put options.

Tractor Supply Stock Up 0.1 %

TSCO traded up $0.07 on Friday, reaching $54.36. 9,309,324 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,541,401. The company has a market cap of $29.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.44, a PEG ratio of 3.29 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.48 and a quick ratio of 0.17. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $55.28 and its 200-day moving average price is $55.23. Tractor Supply has a 52-week low of $44.35 and a 52-week high of $61.53.

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

Tractor Supply Cuts Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th were paid a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.62%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, November 25th. Tractor Supply’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 42.72%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup downgraded shares of Tractor Supply from a “strong-buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, October 17th. Telsey Advisory Group reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $67.00 price objective on shares of Tractor Supply in a report on Thursday. Loop Capital raised their price objective on shares of Tractor Supply from $53.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Thursday, December 12th. Barclays cut their target price on Tractor Supply from $262.00 to $52.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Monday, December 30th. Finally, Benchmark lifted their price target on Tractor Supply from $56.00 to $62.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, October 28th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $58.90.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Tractor Supply

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in TSCO. PrairieView Partners LLC raised its holdings in Tractor Supply by 400.0% during the fourth quarter. PrairieView Partners LLC now owns 500 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC lifted its holdings in Tractor Supply by 400.0% in the 4th quarter. Future Financial Wealth Managment LLC now owns 500 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Archer Investment Corp boosted its position in Tractor Supply by 400.0% during the fourth quarter. Archer Investment Corp now owns 500 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the period. Kentucky Trust Co acquired a new position in Tractor Supply during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, First Personal Financial Services bought a new position in shares of Tractor Supply in the third quarter valued at approximately $29,000. 98.72% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Tractor Supply Company Profile

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