Erste Asset Management GmbH Makes New Investment in Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO)

Erste Asset Management GmbH bought a new position in Tractor Supply (NASDAQ:TSCO) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor bought 1,700 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock, valued at approximately $485,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Marshall Wace LLP increased its stake in shares of Tractor Supply by 2,921.4% in the second quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 357,225 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $96,451,000 after buying an additional 345,402 shares during the period. International Assets Investment Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Tractor Supply by 29,058.6% in the third quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 233,269 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $67,865,000 after buying an additional 232,469 shares during the period. Clearbridge Investments LLC increased its stake in shares of Tractor Supply by 67.4% in the second quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 403,710 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $109,002,000 after buying an additional 162,533 shares during the period. Employees Retirement System of Texas acquired a new stake in shares of Tractor Supply in the second quarter valued at about $38,070,000. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its stake in shares of Tractor Supply by 10.9% in the second quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,123,280 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $303,278,000 after buying an additional 110,342 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 98.72% of the company’s stock.

Tractor Supply Stock Performance

Shares of Tractor Supply stock opened at $285.86 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $30.54 billion, a PE ratio of 27.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.64 and a beta of 0.83. Tractor Supply has a 52 week low of $205.48 and a 52 week high of $307.64. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $285.18 and a 200-day moving average price of $276.02. The company has a quick ratio of 0.17, a current ratio of 1.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81.

Tractor Supply Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 10th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 25th will be paid a $1.10 dividend. This represents a $4.40 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.54%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 25th. Tractor Supply’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 42.80%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

TSCO has been the subject of several recent research reports. Gordon Haskett cut Tractor Supply from a “strong-buy” rating to a “moderate buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 24th. Melius Research initiated coverage on Tractor Supply in a research note on Monday, September 23rd. They issued a “buy” rating and a $315.00 price target for the company. Raymond James upped their target price on Tractor Supply from $285.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. DA Davidson upped their target price on Tractor Supply from $300.00 to $325.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group restated an “outperform” rating and set a $335.00 target price on shares of Tractor Supply in a research report on Thursday, October 24th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $282.59.

Insider Transactions at Tractor Supply

In related news, CFO Kurt D. Barton sold 23,532 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $295.64, for a total transaction of $6,957,000.48. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 9,683 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,862,682.12. This trade represents a 70.85 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.58% of the company’s stock.

Tractor Supply 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.