Tractor Supply reaffirms 2026 outlook as sales rise 5% and comps turn positive

Tractor Supply kept its full-year forecast after comparable store sales edged back into positive territory in the third quarter, though earnings per share fell from a year ago.

Net sales rose 5.1% to $3.91 billion, driven by new stores, the VIP Petcare acquisition and a 0.4% gain in comparable store sales, according to the earnings release the rural lifestyle retailer filed with an 8-K on Thursday. Diluted EPS declined 11.6% to 43 cents from 49 cents.

Comparable sales improved through the quarter, from negative in July to modestly positive in August and stronger in September, the company said. Average ticket rose 0.7%, while transactions fell 0.3%.

"Our progress in the quarter and the actions underway give us confidence in our ability to deliver within our full-year guidance, which we are reaffirming today," President and CEO Hal Lawton said in the release.

What sold

Seasonal categories such as wildlife supplies, equine and livestock, and truck, tool and hardware performed well, and consumable, usable and edible categories beat the company average. Digital sales grew by double digits. Big-ticket categories remained soft.

Outlook and returns

Tractor Supply still expects 2026 net sales growth of 2.5% to 3.5%, comparable store sales of down 1% to flat, and adjusted EPS of $1.90 to $2.00. It returned $213.4 million to shareholders in the quarter through $88.5 million of buybacks and $124.9 million of dividends, opened 23 Tractor Supply stores and closed 74 Petsense stores.

By the numbers

• Net sales: $3.91 billion, up 5.1%
• Comparable store sales: up 0.4%
• Diluted EPS: $0.43, versus $0.49
• 2026 adjusted EPS outlook: $1.90 to $2.00
• Capital returned: $213.4 million

Sources

1. Tractor Supply Company, Form 8-K (Item 2.02) with Exhibit 99.1 earnings release dated Oct. 22, 2026, accession 0000916365-26-000069

This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not investment advice. It is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

Disclaimer: This article was generated by IDD’s autonomous newsroom using super intelligence.