Item 8. . Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

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Item 8. . Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

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TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

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Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting44
Reports of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 42)45
Consolidated Statements of Income for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, December 25, 2021, and December 26, 202048
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, December 25, 2021, and December 26, 202049
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and December 25, 202150
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, December 25, 2021, and December 26, 202051
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2022, December 25, 2021, and December 26, 202052
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements53

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Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022. In making this assessment, management used the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). Based on this assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 2022, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm which also audited the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, has issued a report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, which is included herein.

/s/ Harry A. Lawton, III/s/ Kurt D. Barton
Harry A. Lawton, III President and Chief Executive OfficerKurt D. Barton Executive Vice President - Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
February 23, 2023February 23, 2023

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Tractor Supply Company

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited Tractor Supply Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Tractor Supply Company (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Tractor Supply Company as of December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021, and the related Consolidated Statements of Income, Comprehensive Income, Stockholders’ Equity, and Cash Flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes and our report dated February 23, 2023, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Nashville, Tennessee

February 23, 2023

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Tractor Supply Company

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets of Tractor Supply Company (the Company) as of December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021, the related Consolidated Statements of Income, Comprehensive Income, Stockholders’ Equity and Cash Flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended December 31, 2022, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 23, 2023, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the account or disclosure to which it relates.

Workers' Compensation Self-Insurance Reserves
Description of the MatterAt December 31, 2022, the Company’s reserve for workers’ compensation self-insurance risks was $74.0 million. As discussed in Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements, the Company retains a significant portion of risk for its workers’ compensation exposures. Accordingly, provisions are recorded based upon periodic estimates of such losses, as determined by management. The future claim costs for workers’ compensation exposures are estimated using actuarial methods that consider assumptions for a number of factors including, but not limited to, historical claims experience, loss development factors, and severity factors.
Auditing management’s estimate of the recorded workers’ compensation self-insurance reserves was complex and judgmental due to the significant assumptions and judgments required by management to project the exposure on incurred claims that remain unresolved, including those which have not yet been reported to the Company.

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How We Addressed the Matter in Our AuditWe obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s accounting for workers’ compensation self-insurance exposures. For example, we tested controls over management’s review of the significant assumptions described above, including the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data, as well as management’s review of the actuarial calculations.
To test the Company’s estimate of the workers’ compensation self-insurance reserves, we performed audit procedures that included, among others, assessing the appropriateness of the actuarial valuation methodologies utilized by management and the significant assumptions within, testing the related underlying data used by the Company in its evaluation for completeness and accuracy, and testing the mathematical accuracy of the calculations. Our audit procedures also included, among others, comparing the significant assumptions used by management to industry accepted actuarial assumptions and reassessing the accuracy of management’s historical estimates utilized in prior period evaluations. We involved our actuarial valuation specialists to assist in assessing the valuation methodologies and significant assumptions noted above and to develop an independent range of estimates for the workers’ compensation self-insurance reserves which were then compared to management’s estimates.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2001.

Nashville, Tennessee

February 23, 2023

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TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

Fiscal Year
202220212020
(53 weeks)(52 weeks)(52 weeks)
Net sales$14,204,717$12,731,105$10,620,352
Cost of merchandise sold9,232,5138,253,9526,858,803
Gross profit4,972,2044,477,1533,761,549
Selling, general and administrative expenses3,194,1992,900,2972,478,524
Depreciation and amortization343,062270,158217,124
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets——68,973
Operating income1,434,9431,306,698996,928
Interest expense, net30,63326,61028,781
Income before income taxes1,404,3101,280,088968,147
Income tax expense315,598282,974219,189
Net income$1,088,712$997,114$748,958
Net income per share – basic$9.78$8.69$6.44
Net income per share – diluted$9.71$8.61$6.38
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic111,336114,794116,370
Diluted112,149115,824117,436
Dividends declared per common share outstanding$3.68$2.08$1.50

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

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TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

Fiscal Year
202220212020
(53 weeks)(52 weeks)(52 weeks)
Net income$1,088,712$997,114$748,958
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes9,9304,588(3,442)
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)9,9304,588(3,442)
Total comprehensive income$1,098,642$1,001,702$745,516

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

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TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

December 31, 2022December 25, 2021
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents202,502878,030
Inventories2,709,5972,191,192
Prepaid expenses and other current assets245,676164,118
Income taxes receivable—17,100
Total current assets3,157,7753,250,440
Property and equipment, net2,083,6161,617,806
Operating lease right-of-use assets2,953,8012,785,858
Goodwill and other intangible assets253,26255,520
Deferred income taxes—2,437
Other assets41,53655,406
Total assets$8,489,990$7,767,467
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable$1,398,288$1,155,630
Accrued employee compensation120,302109,618
Other accrued expenses498,575474,412
Current portion of finance lease liabilities3,1793,897
Current portion of operating lease liabilities346,397321,285
Income taxes payable9,471—
Total current liabilities2,376,2122,064,842
Long-term debt1,164,056986,382
Finance lease liabilities, less current portion34,65132,848
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion2,721,8772,574,882
Deferred income taxes30,775—
Other long-term liabilities120,003105,848
Total liabilities6,447,5745,764,802
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock——
Common stock1,4151,411
Additional paid-in capital1,261,2831,210,512
Treasury stock(4,855,909)(4,155,846)
Accumulated other comprehensive income11,2751,345
Retained earnings5,624,3524,945,243
Total stockholders’ equity2,042,4162,002,665
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$8,489,990$7,767,467

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. 176,876 and 176,371 shares issued; 110,251 and 113,125 shares outstanding at December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021, respectively.

Treasury Stock (at cost, shares in thousands): 66,625 and 63,246 shares at December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021, respectively.

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

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TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(in thousands)

Common StockAdditional Paid-in CapitalTreasury StockAccum. Other Comp. IncomeRetained EarningsTotal Stockholders’ Equity
SharesDollars
Stockholders’ equity at December 28, 2019118,165$1,389$966,698$(3,013,996)$199$3,612,833$1,567,123
Common stock issuance under stock award plans & ESPP1,5201299,32899,340
Share-based compensation expense37,27337,273
Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations(7,799)(7,799)
Repurchase of common stock(3,439)(342,957)(342,957)
Cash dividends paid to stockholders(174,656)(174,656)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes(3,442)(3,442)
Net income748,958748,958
Stockholders’ equity at December 26, 2020116,2461,4011,095,500(3,356,953)(3,243)4,187,1351,923,840
Common stock issuance under stock award plans & ESPP1,2431082,23982,249
Share-based compensation expense47,64947,649
Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations(14,876)(14,876)
Repurchase of common stock(4,364)(798,893)(798,893)
Cash dividends paid to stockholders(239,006)(239,006)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes4,5884,588
Net income997,114997,114
Stockholders’ equity at December 25, 2021113,1251,4111,210,512(4,155,846)1,3454,945,2432,002,665
Common stock issuance under stock award plans & ESPP504425,53125,535
Share-based compensation expense53,83253,832
Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations(28,592)(28,592)
Repurchase of common stock(3,378)(700,063)(700,063)
Cash dividends paid to stockholders(409,603)(409,603)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps, net of taxes9,9309,930
Net income1,088,7121,088,712
Stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2022110,251$1,415$1,261,283$(4,855,909)$11,275$5,624,352$2,042,416

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

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TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

Fiscal Year
202220212020
(53 weeks)(52 weeks)(52 weeks)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income$1,088,712$997,114$748,958
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization343,062270,158217,124
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets——68,973
Impairment of other long-lived assets——5,078
Loss/(gain) on disposition of property and equipment2,1584,045(1,157)
Share-based compensation expense53,83247,64937,273
Deferred income taxes51,69329,149(31,739)
Change in assets and liabilities (excluding impact from acquisitions and dispositions):
Inventories(349,742)(407,922)(180,489)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets(64,060)(30,459)(32,794)
Accounts payable162,335179,534333,060
Accrued employee compensation6,433(10,083)79,946
Other accrued expenses(13,137)137,83372,405
Income taxes26,570(37,038)13,954
Other49,123(41,260)63,923
Net cash provided by operating activities1,356,9791,138,7201,394,515
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures(773,369)(628,431)(294,002)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment1,0441,0911,792
Acquisition of Orscheln, net of cash acquired(390,765)——
Proceeds from sale of business69,364——
Net cash used in investing activities(1,093,726)(627,340)(292,210)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under debt facilities1,010,000—2,009,000
Repayments under debt facilities(832,000)—(1,406,500)
Debt discounts and issuance costs——(17,048)
Principal payments under finance lease liabilities(4,058)(4,580)(4,170)
Repurchase of shares to satisfy tax obligations(28,592)(14,876)(7,799)
Repurchase of common stock(700,063)(798,893)(342,957)
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock25,53582,24999,340
Cash dividends paid to stockholders(409,603)(239,006)(174,656)
Net cash (used in)/provided by financing activities(938,781)(975,106)155,210
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents(675,528)(463,726)1,257,515
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period878,0301,341,75684,241
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$202,502$878,030$1,341,756
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest, net of amounts capitalized$26,367$23,601$24,540
Income taxes239,129291,665235,319
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities:
Non-cash accruals for property and equipment$45,742$24,408$12,642
Increase of operating lease assets and liabilities from new or modified leases416,457678,092524,141
Increase of finance lease assets and liabilities from new or modified leases5,1433,6757,395

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

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TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies:

Nature of Business

Founded in 1938, Tractor Supply Company (the “Company” or “Tractor Supply” or “we” or “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). The 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 by Tractor Supply”), 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 December 31, 2022, the Company operated a total of 2,333 retail stores in 49 states (2,066 Tractor Supply retail stores, 186 Petsense by Tractor Supply retail stores, and 81 Orscheln Farm and Home retail stores) and also offered an expanded assortment of products through the Tractor Supply Company mobile application and online at TractorSupply.com, Petsense.com, and Orschelnfarmhome.com.

On October 12, 2022, the Company completed its acquisition of Orscheln Farm and Home, LLC (“Orscheln” or “Orscheln Farm and Home”). The Company acquired 166 Orscheln stores for approximately $397.7 million, exclusive of cash acquired. Concurrently with the closing of the acquisition, the Company divested 85 store locations to two buyers. Net proceeds from the store divestitures were approximately $69.4 million. In addition, Tractor Supply has agreed to sell the Orscheln corporate headquarters and distribution center to Bomgaars Supply, Inc. for approximately $10 million within 15 months after the closing of the acquisition. The acquisition was financed with cash-on-hand and borrowings under the 2022 Senior Credit Facility (as defined below). The Company plans to rebrand all Orscheln stores to Tractor Supply stores by the end of fiscal 2023. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information surrounding the acquisition of Orscheln Farm and Home.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying 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”).

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year includes 52 or 53 weeks and ends on the last Saturday of the calendar year. The fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 consisted of 53 weeks, while the years ended December 25, 2021 and December 26, 2020 each consisted of 52 weeks.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Management Estimates

The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP inherently requires estimates and assumptions by management of the Company that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

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Significant estimates and assumptions by management primarily impact the following key financial statement areas:

Inventory Valuation

Inventory Impairment Risk

The Company identifies potentially excess and slow-moving inventory by evaluating turn rates, historical and expected future sales trends, age of merchandise, overall inventory levels, current cost of inventory, and other benchmarks. The Company has established an inventory valuation reserve to recognize the estimated impairment in value (i.e., an inability to realize the full carrying value) based on the Company’s aggregate assessment of these valuation indicators under prevailing market conditions and current merchandising strategies. The Company does not believe its merchandise inventories are subject to significant risk of obsolescence in the near term. However, changes in market conditions or consumer purchasing patterns could result in the need for additional reserves.

Shrinkage

The Company typically performs physical inventories at least once a year for each store that has been open more than 12 months, and the Company has established a reserve for estimating inventory shrinkage between physical inventory counts. The reserve is established by assessing the chain-wide average shrinkage experience rate, applied to the related periods’ sales volumes. Such assessments are updated on a regular basis for the most recent individual store experiences. The estimated store inventory shrink rate is based on historical experience. The Company believes historical rates are a reasonably accurate reflection of future trends.

Vendor Funding

The Company receives funding from substantially all of its significant merchandise vendors, in support of its business initiatives, through a variety of programs and arrangements, including guaranteed vendor support funds (“vendor support”) and volume-based rebate funds (“volume rebates”). The amounts received are subject to terms of vendor agreements, most of which are “evergreen,” reflecting the on-going relationship with our significant merchandise vendors. Certain of the Company’s agreements, primarily volume rebates, are renegotiated annually, based on expected annual purchases of the vendor’s product. Vendor funding is initially deferred as a reduction of the purchase price of inventory, and then recognized as a reduction of cost of merchandise sold as the related inventory is sold.

During interim periods, the amount of vendor support and volume rebates are estimated based upon initial commitments and anticipated purchase levels with applicable vendors. The estimated purchase volume (and related vendor funding) is based on the Company’s current knowledge of inventory levels, sales trends and expected customer demand, as well as planned new store openings and relocations. Although the Company believes it can reasonably estimate purchase volume and related volume rebates at interim periods, it is possible that actual year-end results could be different from previously estimated amounts.

Self-Insurance Reserves

The Company self-insures a significant portion of its workers’ compensation and general liability (including product liability) insurance plans. The Company has stop-loss insurance policies to protect it from individual losses over specified dollar values. Our deductible or self-insured retention, as applicable, for each claim involving workers’ compensation insurance and general liability insurance is limited to $500,000 and our Texas Work Injury Policy is limited to $500,000. Further, we maintain a commercially reasonable umbrella/excess policy that covers liabilities in excess of the primary insurance policy limits.

The full extent of certain workers’ compensation and general liability claims may not become fully determined for several years. Therefore, the Company estimates potential obligations based upon historical claims experience, loss development factors, severity factors, and other actuarial assumptions. Although the Company believes the reserves established for these obligations are reasonably estimated, any significant change in the number of claims or costs associated with claims made under these plans could have a material effect on the Company’s financial results. At December 31, 2022, the Company had insurance reserves for workers' compensation of $74.0 million, compared to $67.1 million at December 25, 2021. Insurance reserves for general liability plans was $51.5 million at December 31, 2022 compared to $41.3 million at December 25, 2021. In addition, insurance receivables recorded in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for claims greater than our insurance stop-loss limits were $18.4 million and $14.9 million as of December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021.

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Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, including lease right-of-use assets, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

When evaluating long-lived assets for potential impairment, the Company first compares the carrying value of the asset or asset group to its estimated undiscounted future cash flows. The evaluation for long-lived assets is performed at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows, which is generally the individual store level. The significant assumptions used to determine estimated undiscounted cash flows include cash inflows and outflows directly resulting from the use of those assets in operations, including margin on net sales, payroll and related items, occupancy costs, insurance allocations and other costs to operate a store. If the estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the related asset, the Company calculates an impairment loss. The impairment loss calculation compares the carrying value of the related asset or asset group to its estimated fair value, which may be based on an estimated future cash flow model, market valuation, or other valuation technique, as appropriate. The Company recognizes an impairment loss if the amount of the asset’s carrying value exceeds the asset’s estimated fair value. If the Company recognizes an impairment loss, the adjusted carrying amount of the asset becomes its new cost basis. For a depreciable long-lived asset, the new cost basis will be depreciated (amortized) over the remaining estimated useful life of that asset.

No significant impairment charges were recognized in fiscal 2022 or 2021 related to long-lived assets. In fiscal 2020, we recognized $5.1 million of impairment charges related to long-lived assets for Petsense by Tractor Supply stores. Impairment charges, if recognized, are included in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Impairment of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Our annual impairment evaluation is conducted on the first day of our fiscal fourth quarter.

In accordance with the accounting standards, an entity has the option first to assess qualitative factors to determine whether events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that goodwill or an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If after such assessment an entity concludes that the asset is not impaired, then the entity is not required to take further action. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to determine the fair value of the asset using a quantitative impairment test, and if impaired, the associated assets must be written down to fair value.

The quantitative impairment test for goodwill compares the fair value of a reporting unit with the carrying value of its net assets, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit, an impairment charge would be recorded to the Company’s operations for the amount in which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. We determine fair values for each reporting unit using the market approach, when available and appropriate, the income approach, or a combination of both. The income approach involves forecasting projected financial information (such as revenue growth rates, profit margins, tax rates, and capital expenditures) and selecting a discount rate that reflects the risk inherent in estimated future cash flows. Under the market approach, the fair value is based on observed market data. If multiple valuation methodologies are used, the results are weighted appropriately.

The quantitative impairment test for other indefinite-lived intangible assets involves comparing the carrying amount of the asset to the sum of the discounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the implied fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than the carrying value, an impairment charge would be recorded to the Company’s operations.

No impairment charges were recognized in fiscal 2022 or 2021 related to indefinite-lived intangible assets. As described in further detail in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, in fiscal 2020 we recognized goodwill impairment of $60.8 million and trade name asset impairment of $8.2 million related to Petsense by Tractor Supply. Impairment charges, if recognized, are included as a separate line item within SG&A expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Revenue Recognition and Sales Returns

The Company recognizes revenue at the time the customer takes possession of merchandise. If the Company receives payment before completion of its customer obligations (as per the Company’s special order and layaway programs), the revenue is deferred until the customer takes possession of the merchandise and the sale is complete.

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The Company is required to collect certain taxes and fees from customers on behalf of government agencies and remit such collections to the applicable governmental agency on a periodic basis. These taxes and fees are collected from customers at the time of purchase but are not included in net sales. The Company records a liability upon collection from the customer and relieves the liability when payments are remitted to the applicable governmental agency.

The Company estimates a liability for sales returns based on a rolling average of historical return trends, and the Company believes that its estimate for sales returns is an accurate reflection of future returns associated with past sales. However, as with any estimate, refund activity may vary from estimated amounts. The Company had a liability for sales returns of $24.0 million and $17.9 million as of December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021, respectively.

The Company recognizes revenue when a gift card or merchandise return card is redeemed by the customer and recognizes income when the likelihood of the gift card or merchandise return card being redeemed by the customer is remote (referred to as “breakage”). The gift cards and merchandise return card breakage rate is based upon historical redemption patterns and income is recognized for unredeemed gift cards and merchandise return cards in proportion to those historical redemption patterns. The Company recognized breakage income of $4.6 million, $4.2 million, and $3.6 million in fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.

The Company offers a points-based Neighbor’s Club loyalty program to its customers. The points earned by customers can be redeemed for free services or discounts on future purchases. The Company defers the estimated standalone selling price of points related to the loyalty program as a reduction to revenue and establish a corresponding liability in deferred revenue on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The estimated selling price of each point is based on the standard value per point (1 point is generally equivalent to $0.01), net of points not expected to be redeemed, based on historical redemption. When points are relieved (redeemed, expired, cancelled, etc.), revenue is recognized with a corresponding reduction to the program liability. The Company had a liability for the loyalty program of $19.2 million and $20.9 million as of December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021, respectively.

Cost of Merchandise Sold

Cost of merchandise sold includes the total cost of products sold; freight and duty expenses associated with moving merchandise inventories from vendors to distribution facilities, from distribution facilities to retail stores, from one distribution facility to another, and directly to our customers; tariffs on imported products; vendor support; damaged, junked or defective product; cash discounts from payments to merchandise vendors; and adjustments for shrinkage (physical inventory losses), lower of cost or net realizable value, slow moving product, and excess inventory quantities.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A expenses include payroll and benefit costs for retail, distribution facility, and corporate team members; share-based compensation expenses; occupancy costs of retail, distribution, and corporate facilities; advertising; tender costs, including bank charges and costs associated with credit and debit card interchange fees; outside service fees; and other administrative costs, such as computer maintenance, supplies, travel, and lodging.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs consist of expenses incurred in connection with digital and social media offerings, television, newspaper circulars, and customer-targeted direct e-mail and direct mail, as well as limited events through radio and other media channels. Costs are expensed when incurred with the exception of television advertising and circular and direct mail promotions, which are expensed upon first showing. Advertising expenses were approximately $94.6 million, $95.4 million, and $100.9 million for fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. Prepaid advertising costs were approximately $2.1 million and $1.7 million as of December 31, 2022, and December 25, 2021, respectively.

Warehousing and Distribution Facility Costs

Costs incurred at the Company’s distribution facilities for receiving, warehousing, and preparing product for delivery are expensed as incurred and are included in SG&A expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Because the Company does not include these costs in cost of sales, the Company’s gross margin may not be comparable to other retailers that include these costs in the calculation of gross margin. Distribution facility costs including depreciation were approximately $424.1 million, $367.4 million, and $292.6 million for fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.

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Pre-Opening Costs

Non-capital expenditures incurred in connection with opening new stores, primarily payroll and rent, are expensed as incurred. Pre-opening costs were approximately $10.2 million, $10.4 million, and $8.6 million for fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company has share-based compensation plans covering certain members of management and non-employee directors, which include non-qualified stock options, restricted stock units, and performance-based restricted share units. Performance-based restricted share units are subject to performance conditions that include both Company and market performance. In addition, the Company offers an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) to eligible team members.

The Company estimates the fair value of its stock option awards at the date of grant utilizing a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of short-term traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. However, key assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model are adjusted to incorporate the unique characteristics of the Company’s stock option awards. Option pricing models and generally accepted valuation techniques require management to make subjective assumptions including expected stock price volatility, expected dividend yield, risk-free interest rate, expected term and forfeiture rates. The Company relies on historical volatility trends to estimate future volatility assumptions. The risk-free interest rates used were actual U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity rates for bonds matching the expected term of the option on the date of grant. The expected term of the option on the date of grant was estimated based on the Company’s historical experience for similar options.

The forfeiture rate at the time of valuation was estimated based on historical experience for similar options and reduces expense ratably over the vesting period. The Company adjusts this estimate periodically, based on the extent to which actual forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from the previous estimate.

The fair value of the Company’s restricted stock units is the closing stock price of the Company’s common stock the day preceding the grant date, discounted for the expected dividend yield over the term of the award. The fair value of the Company's performance-based restricted share units is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model on the grant date. Key assumptions used in the Monte Carlo simulation include expected volatility, dividend yield and risk-free interest rate.

The Company believes its estimates are reasonable in the context of historical experience. Future results will depend on, among other matters, levels of share-based compensation granted in the future, actual forfeiture rates, and the timing of option exercises.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation includes expenses related to all retail, distribution facility, and corporate assets. Amortization includes expenses related to definite-lived intangible assets.

Income Taxes

The Company uses the asset and liability method to account for income taxes whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are anticipated to be in effect when temporary differences reverse or are settled. The effect of a tax rate change is recognized in the period in which the law is enacted in the provision for income taxes. The Company records a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Tax Contingencies

The Company’s income tax returns are periodically audited by U.S. federal and state tax authorities. These audits include questions regarding tax filing positions, including the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. At any time, multiple tax years are subject to audit by the various tax authorities. In evaluating the exposures associated with the Company’s various tax filing positions, the Company records a liability for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. A number of years may elapse before a particular matter, for which the

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Company has established a reserve, is audited and fully resolved or clarified. The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company adjusts its tax contingencies reserve and income tax provision in the period in which actual results of a settlement with tax authorities differs from the established reserve, the statute of limitations expires for the relevant tax authority to examine the tax position or when more information becomes available.

Sales Tax Audit Reserve

A portion of the Company’s sales are to tax-exempt customers, predominantly agricultural-based. The Company obtains exemption information as a necessary part of each tax-exempt transaction. Many of the states in which the Company conducts business will perform audits to verify the Company’s compliance with applicable sales tax laws. The business activities of the Company’s customers and the intended use of the unique products sold by the Company create a challenging and complex tax compliance environment. These circumstances also create some risk that the Company could be challenged as to the accuracy of the Company’s sales tax compliance.

The Company reviews past audit experience and assessments with applicable states to continually determine if it has potential exposure for non-compliance. Any estimated liability is based on an initial assessment of compliance risk and historical experience with each state. The Company continually reassesses the exposure based on historical audit results, changes in policies, preliminary and final assessments made by state sales tax auditors, and additional documentation that may be provided to reduce the assessment. The reserve for these tax audits can fluctuate depending on numerous factors, including the complexity of agricultural-based exemptions, the ambiguity in state tax regulations, the number of ongoing audits, and the length of time required to settle with the state taxing authorities.

Net Income Per Share

The Company presents both basic and diluted net income per share on the 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 have been considered satisfied as of the end of the reporting period.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Temporary cash investments, with a maturity of three months or less when purchased, are considered to be cash equivalents. The majority of payments due from banks for customer credit cards are classified as cash and cash equivalents, as they generally settle within 24 - 48 hours.

Sales generated through the Company’s private label credit cards are not reflected as accounts receivable. Under an agreement with Citi Cards, a division of Citigroup, consumer and business credit is extended directly to customers by Citigroup. All credit program and related services are performed and controlled directly by Citigroup. Payments due from Citigroup are classified as cash and cash equivalents as they generally settle within 24 - 48 hours.

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:

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  • 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 Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company had $1.18 billion and $1.00 billion in outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021, respectively. The fair value of the Company's $150 million 3.70% Senior Notes (the “3.70% Senior Notes”), the $200 million term loan (the “November 2020 Term Loan,” retired on September 30, 2022 and discussed in further detail in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements), and the $378 million in borrowings under the Company's Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below) were determined based on market interest rates (Level 2 inputs). The carrying value of borrowings under the $3.70% Senior Notes, the November 2020 Term Loan, and the Revolving Credit Facility all approximate fair value for each period reported.

The fair value of the Company's $650 million 1.75% Senior Notes (the “1.75% Senior Notes”) is determined based on quoted prices in active markets, which are considered Level 1 inputs. The carrying value and the fair value of the 1.75% Senior Notes, net of discount were as follows (in thousands):

December 31, 2022December 25, 2021
Carrying ValueFair ValueCarrying ValueFair Value
Liabilities:
1.75% Senior Notes$639,220$500,065$637,844$614,881

The Company’s interest rate swap is carried at fair value, which is determined based on the present value of expected future cash flows using forward rate curves, which is considered a Level 2 input. 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, net of related income taxes, and reclassified into earnings in the same income statement line in the period in which the hedged transaction(s) affect earnings. The fair value of the interest rate swap, excluding accrued interest, was as follows (in thousands):

Fair Value Measurements at
December 31, 2022December 25, 2021
Interest rate swap assets (Level 2)$15,146$1,809

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments in accordance with applicable accounting standards for such instruments and hedging activities, which require that all derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting.

Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge a certain portion of its risk, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply the hedge accounting standards.

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The fair value of the interest rate swaps, excluding accrued interest, was a net asset of $15.1 million and $1.8 million as of December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, as determined by the average cost method, or net realizable value. Inventory cost consists of the direct cost of merchandise including freight, duties, and tariffs. Inventories are net of shrinkage, obsolescence, other valuations, and vendor allowances.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are initially recorded at cost. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Improvements to leased premises are amortized using the straight-line method over the remaining term of the lease or the useful life of the improvement, whichever is less. The following table summarizes the Company's property and equipment balances and includes the estimated useful lives which are generally applied (in thousands, except estimated useful lives):

Estimated Useful LivesDecember 31, 2022December 25, 2021
Land$100,129$100,129
Buildings and improvements1 – 35 years1,753,6011,517,052
Furniture, fixtures and equipment5 – 10 years1,086,013900,272
Computer software and hardware2 – 7 years766,031694,455
Construction in progress394,143211,486
Property and equipment, gross4,099,9173,423,394
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(2,016,301)(1,805,588)
Property and equipment, net$2,083,616$1,617,806

Capitalized Software Costs

The Company capitalizes certain costs related to the acquisition and development of software and amortizes these costs using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, which is two to seven years. Computer software consists of software developed for internal-use and third-party software purchased for internal-use. A subsequent addition, modification or upgrade to internal-use software is capitalized to the extent that it enhances the software’s functionality or extends its useful life. These costs are included in property and equipment in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Certain software costs not meeting the criteria for capitalization are expensed as incurred.

Store Closing Costs

The Company regularly evaluates the performance of its stores and periodically closes those stores that are underperforming. The Company records a liability for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity when the liability is incurred, usually in the period the store closes. Store closing costs were not significant to the results of operations for any of the fiscal years presented.

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Leases

Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date. Operating lease liabilities represent the present value of lease payments not yet paid. Operating lease assets represent our right to use an underlying asset and are based upon the operating lease liabilities adjusted for prepayments or accrued lease payments, initial direct costs, lease incentives, and impairment, if any, of operating lease assets. To determine the present value of lease payments not yet paid, we estimate incremental borrowing rates corresponding to the reasonably certain lease term. As substantially all of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we estimate our collateralized incremental borrowing rate based upon a Company specific credit rating and yield curve analysis at commencement or modification date in determining the present value of lease payments.

Assets under finance leases are amortized in accordance with the Company’s normal depreciation policy for owned assets or over the lease term, if shorter, and the related charge to operations is included in depreciation expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “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. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, “Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848,” which deferred the sunset date to Topic 848 from December 31,2022, to December 31, 2024. The Company elected the optional expedients in connection with the debt refinancing and transitioned from LIBOR to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) on September 30, 2022.

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In September 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-04, “Liabilities - Supplier Finance Programs (Subtopic 405-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations,” which makes a number of changes meant to add certain disclosure requirements for a buyer in a supplier finance program. The amendments are effective for all companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 on a retrospective basis. Upon adoption, the Company will be required to include additional disclosures of the supplier finance program obligations.

Note 2 – Share-Based Compensation:

Share-based compensation includes stock options, restricted stock units, performance-based restricted share units, and certain transactions under the Company’s ESPP. Share-based compensation expense is recognized based on the grant date fair value of all stock options, restricted stock units, and performance-based restricted share units. Share based compensation expense is also recognized for the value of the 15% discount on shares purchased by employees as a part of the ESPP. The discount under the ESPP represents the difference between the market value on the first day of the purchase period or the market value on the purchase date, whichever is lower, and the employee’s purchase price.

There were no significant modifications to the Company's share-based compensation plans since the adoption of the 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”) on May 10, 2018, which replaced the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan. Following the adoption of the 2018 Plan, no further grants may be made under the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan.

Under our share-based compensation plans, awards may be granted to officers, non-employee directors, and other employees. The per share exercise price of options granted shall not be less than the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant and such awards will expire no later than ten years from the date of grant. Vesting of awards commences at various anniversary dates following the dates of each grant. Performance-based awards will vest if established performance conditions are met subject to continued employment. Certain performance-based awards are also subject to a market condition such that the actual number of shares vest are further modified based on the achievement of a relative stockholder return modifier. At December 31, 2022, the Company had approximately 9.2 million shares available for future equity awards under the Company’s 2018 Plan.

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Share-based compensation expense of awards was $53.8 million, $47.6 million, and $37.3 million for fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.

Stock Options

The fair value is separately estimated for each option grant. The fair value of each option is recognized as compensation expense ratably over the vesting period. The Company has estimated the fair value of all stock option awards as of the date of the grant by applying a Black-Scholes pricing valuation model. The application of this valuation model involves assumptions that are judgmental and highly sensitive in the determination of compensation expense. The ranges of key assumptions used in determining the fair value of options granted during fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020, as well as a summary of the methodology applied to develop each assumption, are as follows:

Fiscal Year
202220212020
Expected price volatility29.9% - 31.3%29.8% - 30.3%26.7% - 30.0%
Risk-free interest rate1.7% - 4.3%0.3% - 1.0%0.2% - 1.3%
Weighted average expected lives (in years)4.14.34.3
Forfeiture rate6.9%7.0%7.0%
Dividend yield1.6%1.5%1.5%

Expected Price Volatility — This is a measure of the amount by which a price has fluctuated or is expected to fluctuate. The Company calculates the expected price volatility based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock price, as well as implied volatility. To calculate historical changes in market value, the Company uses daily market value changes from the date of grant over a past period generally representative of the expected life of the options to determine volatility. The Company believes the use of a blended volatility provides an appropriate indicator of future volatility. An increase in the expected volatility will increase compensation expense.

Risk-Free Interest Rate — This is the U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity rate over a term equal to the expected term of the option. An increase in the risk-free interest rate will increase compensation expense.

Weighted Average Expected Term — This is the period of time over which the options granted are expected to remain outstanding and is based on historical experience. Options granted generally have a maximum term of ten years. An increase in the expected term will increase compensation expense.

Forfeiture Rate — This is the estimated percentage of options granted that are expected to be forfeited or canceled before becoming fully vested. This estimate is based on historical experience. An increase in the forfeiture rate will decrease compensation expense.

Dividend Yield — This is the estimated dividend yield for the weighted average expected term of the option granted. An increase in the dividend yield will decrease compensation expense.

The Company issues shares for options when exercised. A summary of stock option activity is as follows:

Stock Option ActivityOptionsWeighted Average Exercise PriceWeighted Average Fair ValueWeighted Average Remaining Contractual TermAggregate Intrinsic Value **(**in thousands)
Outstanding at December 25, 20211,168,31195.856.9$154,706
Granted141,803220.70$49.69
Exercised(201,273)88.61
Canceled(18,452)169.41
Outstanding at December 31, 20221,090,389$112.186.3$122,985
Exercisable at December 31, 2022687,825$87.035.2$94,875

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The aggregate intrinsic values in the table above represent the total difference between the Company’s closing stock price at each year-end and the option exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options at each year-end. As of December 31, 2022, total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested stock options was approximately $7.6 million with a weighted average expense recognition period of 1.8 years.

There were no material modifications to options in fiscal 2022, 2021, or 2020.

Other information relative to options activity during fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020 is as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year
202220212020
Total fair value of stock options vested$7,783$8,478$12,546
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised$25,024$90,532$64,395

Restricted Stock Units

The Company issues shares for restricted stock units once vesting occurs and related restrictions lapse. The fair value of the restricted stock units is the closing price of the Company’s common stock the day preceding the grant date, discounted for the expected dividend yield over the term of the award. The units generally vest over a one to three-year term. Some plan participants have elected to defer receipt of shares of common stock upon vesting of restricted stock units, and as a result, those shares are not issued until a later date. A summary of restricted stock unit activity is presented below:

Restricted Stock Unit ActivityRestricted Stock UnitsWeighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted at December 25, 2021523,419$115.59
Granted200,503208.89
Vested(233,777)111.34
Forfeited(41,063)164.54
Restricted at December 31, 2022449,082$155.24

As of December 31, 2022, total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock units was approximately $40.9 million with a weighted average expense recognition period of 1.9 years.

There were no material modifications to restricted stock units in fiscal 2022, 2021, or 2020.

Other information relative to restricted stock unit activity during fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020 is as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year
202220212020
Total grant date fair value of restricted stock units vested and issued$26,031$25,222$17,935
Total intrinsic value of restricted stock units vested and issued$50,532$47,136$23,011

Performance-Based Restricted Share Units

We issue performance-based restricted share units to senior executives that represent shares potentially issuable in the future, 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 over a specified performance period. The performance metrics for the performance-based restricted share units granted in fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022 also include a relative total shareholder return (“TSR”) modifier such that the actual number of shares that vest at the end of the respective three-year period is determined based on the Company's TSR performance relative to the constituents of the S&P 500 as well as the level of achievement of the performance goals. If the performance targets are achieved, the performance-based restricted share units will be issued based on the achievement level, inclusive of the relative TSR modifier and the grant date fair value, and will cliff vest in full on the third anniversary of the date of the grant. The fair value of the performance-based restricted share units is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation model on the grant date. Key assumptions used in the Monte Carlo simulation for the performance shares with a TSR modifier granted during fiscal 2022 and during fiscal 2021 are presented below:

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Fiscal Year
Assumption20222021
Expected volatility30.91%31.47%
Risk-free interest rate1.53%0.18%
Compounded dividend yield1.63%1.13%

A summary of performance-based restricted share unit activity is presented below:

Performance-Based Restricted Share Unit ActivityPerformance-Based Restricted Share UnitsWeighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted at December 25, 2021187,018$107.99
Granted (a)53,222223.76
Performance adjustment78,35690.00
Vested(156,712)90.00
Forfeited(6,285)196.11
Restricted at December 31, 2022155,599$155.02

(a) Assumes 100% target level achievement of the relative performance targets. The actual number of shares that will be issued, which may be higher or lower than the target, will be determined by the level of achievement of the relative performance targets, inclusive of the TSR modifier.

As of December 31, 2022, total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested performance-based restricted share units was approximately $19.8 million with a weighted average expense recognition period of 1.8 years.

There were no material modifications to performance-based restricted share units in fiscal 2022, 2021, or 2020.

Other information relative to performance-based restricted share unit activity during fiscal 2022 is as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year
202220212020
Total grant date fair value of performance-based restricted share units vested and issued$14,104$648$1,895
Total intrinsic value of performance-based restricted share units vested and issued$33,895$1,538$2,826

Shares Withheld to Satisfy Tax Withholding Requirements

For the majority of restricted stock units and performance-based restricted share units granted, the number of shares issued on the date the stock awards vest is net of shares withheld by the Company to satisfy the minimum statutory tax withholding requirements, which the Company pays on behalf of its employees. The Company issued 258,550; 219,723; and 186,751 shares as a result of vested restricted stock units and performance-based restricted share units during fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. Although shares withheld are not issued, they are treated similar to common stock repurchases as they reduce the number of shares that would have been issued upon vesting. The amounts are net of 131,939; 95,996; and 81,946 shares withheld to satisfy $28.6 million, $14.9 million, and $7.8 million of employees’ tax obligations during fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The ESPP provides Company employees the opportunity to purchase, through payroll deductions, shares of common stock at a 15% discount. Pursuant to the terms of the ESPP, the Company issued 44,390; 48,446; and 63,704 shares of common stock during fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. The total cost related to the ESPP, including the compensation expense calculations, was approximately $1.8 million, $1.4 million, and $1.4 million in fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. There is a maximum of 16.0 million shares of common stock that are reserved under the ESPP. At December 31, 2022, there were approximately 11.7 million remaining shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the ESPP.

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Note 3 - Acquisition of Orscheln Farm and Home, LLC and Related Divestitures

On October 12, 2022, the Company completed its acquisition of Orscheln, which expands the Company's footprint in the Midwest part of the United States. Pursuant to the agreement governing the Transaction, the Company acquired 100% of the equity interest in Orscheln, inclusive of 166 Orscheln stores, the Orscheln corporate headquarters, and the Orscheln distribution center, for an all-cash purchase price of $397.7 million, exclusive of cash acquired. The acquisition was financed with cash-on-hand and Revolving Credit Facility borrowings under the 2022 Senior Credit Facility (as defined below).

In order to obtain regulatory approval for the Orscheln acquisition, the FTC required the Company to divest of 85 stores, which were sold to two buyers, Bomgaars Supply, Inc. (“Bomgaars”) (73 stores) and Buchheit Enterprises, Inc. (“Buchheit”) (12 stores) (collectively, the “Buyers”), on October 12, 2022, concurrently with the closing of the acquisition. Net proceeds of the store divestitures were $69.4 million. In addition, the Company has agreed to sell the Orscheln corporate headquarters and distribution center to Bomgaars for $10 million within 15 months after the closing of the acquisition.

In conjunction with the store divestitures to Bomgaars and Buchheit, the Company entered into a transition services agreement with both Bomgaars and Buchheit, under which we will provide certain transition services to Bomgaars and Buchheit, and such agreements will remain in place until the earlier of 12 months following the date of the agreements or the date at which all stores have been converted to the Buyers' respective brands. Under the terms of the transition services agreements, the Company agreed to provide transition services to Bomgaars and Buchheit, both and each respectively, for information technology support and infrastructure, finance and accounting, tax, treasury, human resources, marketing, logistics, warehousing, and inventory replenishment. For the quarter and year-to-date period ended December 31, 2022, the Company was reimbursed $4.8 million for such transition services, which is included in Selling, general, and administrative expenses. Such reimbursements largely offset related expenses incurred to service the transition services agreements.

Preliminary Allocation of the Purchase Price

For the Orscheln acquisition, the Company has applied the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, “Business Combinations,” with respect to the identifiable assets and liabilities of Orscheln, which have been measured at estimated fair value as of the date of the business combination.

The aggregate purchase price noted above was allocated to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based upon their estimated fair values at the acquisition date, primarily using Level 2 and Level 3 inputs (see Note 1 for an explanation of Level 2 and Level 3 inputs). These fair value estimates represent management’s best estimate of future cash flows (including sales, cost of sales, income taxes, etc.), discount rates, competitive trends, market comparables, and other factors. Inputs used were generally determined from historical data supplemented by current and anticipated market conditions and growth rates.

Although the determination of the preliminary fair values are substantially complete, certain fair value estimates are based on preliminary information and are subject to change during the measurement period, which ends once the Company has determined that it has obtained all necessary information that existed as of the acquisition date or has determined that such information is unavailable and cannot extend beyond one year from the acquisition date. At December 31, 2022, the fair values that are based on preliminary information relate primarily to inventory and certain working capital adjustments. The excess of the consideration transferred over the fair value of the identifiable assets, net of liabilities, is recorded as goodwill, which is indicative of the expected synergies from combining the operations of Orscheln with Tractor Supply stores and the expanded footprint that Orscheln brings in the Midwest part of the United States.

The purchase consideration and preliminary estimated fair value of Orscheln’s net assets acquired on October 12, 2022 are shown below (in thousands). The assets and liabilities of the 85 divested stores (which were concurrently divested on October 12, 2022), along with the Orscheln corporate headquarters and the Orscheln distribution center, are shown as held for sale in the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

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Fair value of assets acquiredPreliminary allocation of the purchase price
Cash and cash equivalents$6,935
Accounts receivable277
Inventories168,663
Prepaid expenses and other current assets7,222
Property and equipment13,328
Lease right of use assets82,755
Deferred income taxes18,481
Assets held for sale173,554
Other assets160
Less: liabilities assumed
Accounts payable80,323
Accrued liabilities20,291
Short-term lease liabilities5,986
Long-term lease liabilities70,626
Liabilities held for sale94,190
Goodwill197,742
Total fair value of considerations transferred$397,700

The resulting goodwill of $197.7 million is deductible for income tax purposes and represents the expected synergies from combining the operations of Orscheln with Tractor Supply stores and the expanded footprint that Orscheln brings in the Midwest part of the United States.

Transaction costs related to the Orscheln acquisition were expensed as incurred and are included in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The results of operations of Orscheln have been included in the Consolidated Financial Statements since the date of acquisition.

Note 4 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:

Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reporting unit for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021 are as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year 2022Fiscal Year 2021
Tractor SupplyPetsense by Tractor SupplyConsolidatedTractor SupplyPetsense by Tractor SupplyConsolidated
Balance, beginning of year$10,258$22,161$32,419$10,258$22,161$32,419
Goodwill acquired as part of Orscheln acquisition197,742—197,742———
Balance, end of year$208,000$22,161$230,161$10,258$22,161$32,419

Goodwill is allocated to each identified reporting unit, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below the operating segment. Goodwill is not amortized, but is evaluated for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable. The Company's annual impairment evaluation is conducted on the first day of the fiscal fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 and 2021, the Company completed its annual impairment assessment of goodwill for all reporting units. As part of this analysis, the Company assessed the current environment to determine if there were any indicators of impairment and concluded, that while there have been events and circumstances in the macro-environment that

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have impacted the Company's business, there were not any entity-specific indicators of impairment of goodwill that would require the Company to perform a quantitative impairment assessment. Therefore, there were no impairment charges related to goodwill being recognized in fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company identified qualitative indicators of impairment as a result of a strategic reassessment of the Petsense by Tractor Supply business, including an evaluation of current operations and its future growth outlook due to changing consumer trends within certain identified growth markets, which resulted in a decision to reduce the number of new store openings planned over the long term. The carrying value of goodwill for the Petsense by Tractor Supply reporting unit is indicative of the expected growth and development of the business. The aforementioned decision to reduce the long-term growth outlook resulted in a downward adjustment of the future financial forecasts for the Petsense by Tractor Supply business which indicated that impairment of the goodwill asset was a more-likely-than-not outcome.

We conducted a quantitative impairment analysis of the Petsense by Tractor Supply reporting unit using the income approach. As a result of the quantitative impairment analysis of the Petsense by Tractor Supply reporting unit, it was determined that the carrying value exceeded the fair value, resulting in a pre-tax impairment loss of approximately $60.8 million in fiscal 2020.

Other Intangible Assets

The Company had approximately $23.1 million of intangible assets other than goodwill at December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021. The intangible asset balance represents the carrying value of the Petsense trade name, which is not subject to amortization as it has an indefinite useful life on the basis that it is expected to contribute cash flows beyond the foreseeable horizon. The trade name asset is evaluated for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. The Company's annual impairment evaluation is conducted on the first day of the fiscal fourth quarter.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 and 2021, the Company completed its annual impairment assessment of intangible assets for all reporting units. As part of this analysis, the Company assessed the current environment to determine if there were any indicators of impairment and concluded, there were no indicators of impairment of intangible assets that would require the Company to perform a quantitative impairment assessment. Therefore, there were no impairment charges related to intangible assets recognized in fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, the aforementioned decision to reduce the long-term growth outlook for Petsense by Tractor Supply resulted in a downward adjustment of its future financial forecasts which indicated that impairment of the trade name asset was a more-likely-than-not outcome. The Company conducted a quantitative impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 using the relief-from-royalty method. As a result of the quantitative impairment analysis, it was determined that the carrying value of the Petsense trade name was in excess of the fair value, resulting in a pre-tax impairment loss of approximately $8.2 million in fiscal 2020.

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Note 5 – Debt:

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

December 31, 2022December 25, 2021
1.75% Senior Notes$650.0$650.0
3.70% Senior Notes150.0150.0
Senior Credit Facility:
November 2020 Term Loan—200.0
Revolving Credit Facility378.0—
Total outstanding borrowings1,178.01,000.0
Less: unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs(13.9)(13.6)
Total debt1,164.1986.4
Less: current portion of long-term debt——
Long-term debt$1,164.1$986.4
Outstanding letters of credit$52.6$52.9

1.75% Senior Notes due 2030

On October 30, 2020, the Company issued and sold, in a public offering, $650 million in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due November 1, 2030 bearing interest at 1.75% per annum (the “1.75% Senior Notes”). The entire principal amount of the 1.75% Senior Notes is due in full on November 1, 2030. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on each November 1 and May 1. The terms of the 1.750% 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, 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.

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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, by and among the Company, PGIM, Inc. (“Prudential”), and other holders of the notes (the “Note Purchase Agreement” and collectively as amended, the “Note Purchase Facility”), 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 Facility are unsecured.

The Company may from time to time issue and sell additional senior unsecured notes (the “Shelf Notes”) pursuant to the Note Purchase Facility, 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 Facility.

Pursuant to the Note Purchase Facility, 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%.

Amendments to Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement

On September 30, 2022, the Company entered into a Third Amendment to the Note Purchase Facility by and among the Company, Prudential and other holders of the notes, which modifies certain provisions of the Note Purchase Facility and conforms certain representations, warranties and covenants with the 2022 Senior Credit Facility.

On November 2, 2022, the Company entered into a Fourth Amendment to the Note Purchase Facility (the “Fourth Amendment”) by and among the Company, Prudential and other holders of the notes, which also amends the Note Purchase Facility. The Fourth Amendment extends the issuance period in which the Company may issue and sell, and Prudential may consider in its sole discretion the purchase of, in one or a series of transactions, additional senior unsecured notes of the Company (the “Shelf Note”), in an aggregate principal amount of up to $150 million under the Note Purchase Facility. The Shelf Notes may be issued through November 1, 2025, unless either party terminates such issuance right.

2022 Senior Credit Facility

On September 30, 2022 the Company entered into a new credit agreement, providing for a credit facility (the “2022 Senior Credit Facility”), consisting of a revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) in the maximum principal amount of $1.20 billion (with a sublimit of $50.0 million for swingline loans and a sublimit of $150.0 million for letters of credit). In addition, the Company has an option to increase the Revolving Credit Facility or establish term loans in an amount not to exceed $500.0 million in the aggregate, subject to, among other things, the receipt of commitments for the increased amount. The 2022 Senior Credit Facility is unsecured and has a five-year term with two options to request that the lenders extend the maturity date of the obligations owed to each lender for one year (and the right to replace any lenders electing not to extend).

Borrowings for the Revolving Credit Facility will bear interest at either the bank’s base rate (7.500% at December 31, 2022) plus an additional margin ranging from 0.000% to 0.250% (0.000% at December 31, 2022) or adjusted SOFR (4.358% at December 31, 2022) plus an additional margin ranging from 0.750% to 1.250% (1.000% at December 31, 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 ranging from 0.080% to 0.150% (0.100% at December 31, 2022) per annum, adjusted based on the Company's public credit ratings.

The 2022 Senior Credit Facility replaced the Company’s previous senior credit facility (the “Senior Credit Facility”). Proceeds from borrowings under the 2022 Senior Credit Facility were used to pay off the Senior Credit Facility.

In connection with the debt refinancing, the Company amended its interest rate swap agreement to convert the reference rate from one-month LIBOR to one-month term SOFR and elected the optional expedients offered under the Accounting Standards Codification 848, Reference Rate Reform, which allows the cash flow hedge to continue being recognized under hedge accounting without dedesignation.

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Covenants and Default Provisions of the Debt Agreements

The 2022 Senior Credit Facility and the Note Purchase Facility (collectively, the “Debt Agreements”) require quarterly compliance with respect to two material covenants: a fixed charge coverage ratio and a leverage ratio. Both ratios are calculated on a trailing twelve-month basis at the end of each fiscal quarter. The fixed charge coverage ratio compares earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation and rent expense (“consolidated EBITDAR”) to the sum of interest paid and rental expense (excluding any straight-line rent adjustments). The fixed charge coverage ratio shall be greater than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00 as of the last day of each fiscal quarter. The leverage ratio compares total funded debt to consolidated EBITDAR. The leverage ratio shall be less than or equal to 4.00 to 1.00 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 December 31, 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 Facility, upon an event of default or change of control, the make whole payment described above may become due and payable.

The Note Purchase Facility 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 Facility or that are similar to those contained in the Note Purchase Facility but which contain percentages, amounts, formulas or grace periods that are more restrictive than those set forth in the Note Purchase Facility or are otherwise more beneficial to the lenders thereunder, the Note Purchase Facility shall be automatically amended to include such additional or amended covenants and/or default provisions.

Note 6 – Leases:

The Company leases the majority of its retail store locations, two distribution sites, its Merchandise Innovation Center, and certain equipment under various non-cancellable operating leases. The leases have varying terms and expire at various dates through 2043. Store leases typically have initial terms of between 10 years and 20 years, with two to four optional renewal periods of five years each. The exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion. The Company has included lease renewal options in the lease term for calculations of its right-of-use assets and liabilities when it is reasonably certain that the Company plans to renew these leases. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

The Company accounts for lease components (e.g., fixed payments including rent, real estate taxes, and insurance costs) together with non-lease components (e.g., fixed payment common-area maintenance) as a single component for all classes of underlying assets. Certain lease agreements require variable payments based upon actual costs of common-area maintenance, real estate taxes, and insurance. Further, certain lease agreements require variable payments based upon store sales above agreed-upon sales levels for the year and others require payments adjusted periodically for inflation. As substantially all of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we estimate our collateralized incremental borrowing rate based upon a Company specific credit rating and yield curve analysis at commencement or modification date in determining the present value of lease payments.

The Company has elected not to recognize leases with an original term of one year or less on the balance sheet. Short-term lease cost during the periods presented was immaterial.

In addition to the operating lease right-of-use assets presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, assets, net of accumulated amortization, under finance leases of $32.1 million and $32.0 million are recorded within the Property and equipment, net line on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021, respectively.

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The following table summarizes the Company’s classification of lease cost (in thousands):

Fiscal Year Ended
Statement of Income LocationDecember 31, 2022December 25, 2021
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of lease assetsDepreciation and amortization$3,351$5,085
Interest on lease liabilitiesInterest expense, net1,7871,740
Operating lease costSelling, general and administrative expenses434,313400,908
Variable lease costSelling, general and administrative expenses89,02679,479
Net lease cost$528,477$487,212

The following table summarizes the future maturities of the Company’s lease liabilities (in thousands):

Operating Leases (a)Finance LeasesTotal
2023$453,562$4,808$458,370
2024436,0594,823440,882
2025412,4224,750417,172
2026379,6914,720384,411
2027342,6204,802347,422
After 20271,675,59222,8161,698,408
Total lease payments3,699,94646,7193,746,665
Less: Interest(632,534)(8,889)(641,423)
Present value of lease liabilities$3,067,412$37,830$3,105,242

(a) Operating lease payments exclude $289.1 million of legally binding minimum lease payments for leases signed, but not yet commenced.

The following table summarizes the Company’s lease term and discount rate:

December 31, 2022December 25, 2021
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years):
Finance leases10.110.5
Operating leases10.110.0
Weighted-average discount rate:
Finance leases4.6%4.8%
Operating leases3.8%3.6%

The following table summarizes the other information related to the Company’s lease liabilities (in thousands):

Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2022December 25, 2021
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Financing cash flows used for finance leases$4,057$4,580
Operating cash flows used for finance leases1,7871,740
Operating cash flows for operating leases430,396404,864

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Note 7 – 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 fiscal 2022 and 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors declared the following cash dividends:

Date DeclaredDividend Amount Per Share of Common StockRecord DateDate Paid
November 2, 2022$0.92November 21, 2022December 6, 2022
August 4, 2022$0.92August 22, 2022September 7, 2022
May 10, 2022$0.92May 25, 2022June 8, 2022
January 26, 2022$0.92February 21, 2022March 8, 2022
November 3, 2021$0.52November 22, 2021December 8, 2021
August 4, 2021$0.52August 23, 2021September 8, 2021
May 5, 2021$0.52May 24, 2021June 8, 2021
January 27, 2021$0.52February 22, 2021March 9, 2021

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 amount 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 which the Company’s Board of Directors deem relevant.

On February 8, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.03 per share of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The dividend will be paid on March 14, 2023, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 27, 2023.

Note 8 – Treasury Stock:

The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized common stock repurchases under a share repurchase program which was announced in February 2007. As of December 31, 2022, the authorization amount of the program, which has been increased from time to time, was authorized for up to $6.50 billion, exclusive of any fees, commissions or other expenses related to such repurchases. The total authorized amount reflects a $2.00 billion increase to the share repurchase program which was approved by the Board of Directors on January 26, 2022. 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, or terminated at any time without prior notice. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had remaining authorization under the share repurchase program of $1.65 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 in fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Fiscal Year
202220212020
Total number of shares repurchased3,3784,3643,439
Average price paid per share$207.23$183.07$99.72
Total cash paid for share repurchases$700,063$798,893$342,957

Shares repurchased in fiscal 2020 were impacted by the temporary suspension of our share repurchase program from March 12, 2020 until November 5, 2020, in order to strengthen our liquidity and preserve cash while navigating the COVID-19 pandemic.

Note 9 – Net Income Per Share:

Net income per share is calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

Fiscal Year
2022
Net IncomeSharesPer Share Amount
Basic net income per share:$1,088,712111,336$9.78
Dilutive effect of share-based awards—813(0.07)
Diluted net income per share:$1,088,712112,149$9.71
Fiscal Year
2021
Net IncomeSharesPer Share Amount
Basic net income per share:$997,114114,794$8.69
Dilutive effect of share-based awards—1,030(0.08)
Diluted net income per share:$997,114115,824$8.61
Fiscal Year
2020
Net IncomeSharesPer Share Amount
Basic net income per share:$748,958116,370$6.44
Dilutive effect of share-based awards—1,066(0.06)
Diluted net income per share:$748,958117,436$6.38

Anti-dilutive share-based awards excluded from the above calculations totaled approximately 0.1 million in fiscal 2022 and less than 0.1 million in fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020.

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Note 10 – Income Taxes:

The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):

Fiscal Year
202220212020
Current tax expense:
Federal$225,565$221,152$211,228
State41,74834,23838,511
Total current267,313255,390249,739
Deferred tax expense/(benefit):
Federal50,83324,303(21,997)
State(2,548)3,281(8,553)
Total deferred48,28527,584(30,550)
Total provision$315,598$282,974$219,189

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

December 31, 2022December 25, 2021
Tax assets:
Inventory valuation$30,599$23,365
Accrued employee benefits costs24,54436,810
Nondeductible reserves8,2597,099
Finance lease liabilities9,5318,958
Operating lease liabilities763,729740,478
Deferred compensation13,45912,201
Workers' compensation insurance14,66714,271
General liability insurance11,1429,402
Income tax credits13,1317,986
Amortization23,4967,803
Depreciation19,322—
Other12,45212,799
944,331881,172
Tax liabilities:
Finance lease assets(8,113)(7,797)
Operating lease right-of-use assets(723,688)(702,197)
Depreciation(231,191)(161,137)
Other(12,114)(7,604)
(975,106)(878,735)
Net deferred tax (liability) / asset$(30,775)$2,437

The Company has evaluated the need for a valuation allowance for all or a portion of the deferred tax assets. The Company believes that all of the deferred tax assets will more likely than not be realized through future earnings. The Company had state tax credit carryforwards of $14.0 million and $6.6 million as of December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021, respectively, with varying dates of expiration through 2037. The Company provided no valuation allowance as of December 31, 2022 and December 25, 2021 for state tax credit carryforwards, as the Company believes it is more likely than not that all of these credits will be utilized before their expiration dates.

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A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes to the amounts computed at the federal statutory rate is as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year
202220212020
Tax provision at statutory rate$294,905$268,819$203,311
Tax effect of:
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefits41,23536,11627,642
Tax credits, net of federal tax benefits(15,616)(13,157)(8,828)
Share-based compensation programs(9,025)(13,368)(9,303)
Other4,0994,5646,367
Total income tax expense$315,598$282,974$219,189

The Company and its affiliates file income tax returns in the U.S. and various state and local jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2018. Various states have completed an examination of our income tax returns for 2018 through 2020 with minimal adjustments.

The total amount of unrecognized tax positions that, if recognized, would decrease the effective tax rate, is $4.5 million at December 31, 2022. In addition, the Company recognizes current interest and penalties accrued related to these uncertain tax positions as interest expense, and the amount is not material to the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company has considered the reasonably possible expected net change in uncertain tax positions during the next 12 months and does not expect any material changes to our liability for uncertain tax positions through December 31, 2022.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits (exclusive of interest and penalties) is as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Year
202220212020
Balance at beginning of year$3,749$3,236$2,760
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year1,359927816
Additions for tax positions of prior years7605132
Reductions for tax positions of prior years(506)(465)(372)
Balance at end of year$5,362$3,749$3,236

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted in the U.S. on March 27, 2020. The enactment of this legislation did not have a material impact on income tax expense in fiscal 2022. However, the Company did elect to participate in the deferral of the employer’s share of social security tax deposits, with $24.5 million included within other accrued expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 25, 2021. The remaining balance of deferred social security tax deposits was paid during 2022.

Note 11 – Retirement Benefit Plans:

The Company has a defined contribution benefit plan, the Tractor Supply Company 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan (the “401(k) Plan”), which provides retirement benefits for eligible employees. The Company matches (in cash) 100% of the employee’s elective contributions up to 3% of eligible compensation plus 50% of the employee’s elective contributions from 3% to 6% of eligible compensation. In no event shall the total Company match made on behalf of the employee exceed 4.5% of the employee’s eligible compensation. All current contributions are immediately vested. Company contributions to the 401(k) Plan were approximately $17.2 million, $15.3 million, and $12.9 million during fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.

The Company offers, through a deferred compensation program, the opportunity for certain qualifying employees to elect to defer a portion of their annual base salary and/or their annual incentive bonus. Under the deferred compensation program, a percentage of the participants’ salary deferral is matched by the Company, limited to a maximum annual matching contribution of $4,500. The Company’s contributions, including accrued interest, were $0.6 million, $0.3 million, and $0.6 million during fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.

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Note 12 – Commitments and Contingencies:

Contractual Commitments

At December 31, 2022, the Company had contractual commitments of approximately $105.4 million, of which $61.0 million is related to the construction of new distribution centers, and the remaining is related to purchase obligations such as inventory purchases and marketing-related contracts. The Company does not have material contractual commitments related to construction projects extending greater than twelve months. In addition, the Company had $289.1 million legally binding minimum lease payments for leases signed, but not yet commenced. The Company has also committed to sell the Orscheln corporate headquarters and distribution center to Bomgaars for $10 million within 15 months following the closing of the Orscheln acquisition.

Letters of Credit

At December 31, 2022, there were $52.6 million outstanding letters of credit under the Senior Credit Facility.

Litigation

The Company is involved in various 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 Consolidated Financial Statements.

Note 13 – Segment Reporting:

The Company has one 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 fiscal 2022, 2021, and 2020:

Percent of Net Sales
Fiscal Year
Product Category:202220212020
Livestock and Pet50%47%47%
Seasonal, Gift and Toy Products212121
Hardware, Tools and Truck192121
Clothing and Footwear787
Agriculture334
Total100%100%100%

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