Farming supplies retailer Tractor Supply cuts 2025 profit forecast on tariff-based uncertainty

April 24 (Reuters) - Farming supplies retailer Tractor Supply TSCO.O cut its annual profit forecast on Thursday, citing a "notable increase in uncertainty", particularly from the introduction of new tariffs.

Shares of Brentwood, Tennessee-based Tractor Supply were down 4% in premarket trading, after the company also missed analysts' estimates for first-quarter net sales and profit.

U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies are expected to cause product prices to surge, leading to consumers holding off on big-ticket and discretionary purchases.

Tractor Supply expects 2025 earnings per share to be between $2.00 and $2.18, compared with its previous forecast of $2.10 to $2.22.

It expects annual net sales to rise between 4% and 8%, compared with a 5% to 7% increase projected earlier.

The company has been ramping up new store openings and growing its Neighbor's Club loyalty program, alongside investments in its e-commerce business, including curbside pickup and same-day, next-day deliveries to rekindle demand.

Its net sales rose 2.1% to $3.47 billion during the quarter ended March 29, but missed analysts' average estimate of $3.54 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Comparable store sales fell 0.9%, compared with expectations of a 1.06% rise.

The company earned 34 cents per share during the quarter, also below the estimate of 37 cents.