Analyst Plays Catch-Up Ahead of Tractor Supply Earnings

Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ:TSCO) has been climbing up the charts since hitting its year-to-date low of $58.27 in mid-April, up 21.2%. This may be what prompted Deutsche Bank to boost its price target on the retail stock to $75 from $65, though this brokerage note is far from bullish considering the new target is still a discount to last night's close. Nevertheless, TSCO shares are trading up 0.5% today at $78.82.

Looking ahead, the company is slated to report second-quarter earnings before the market opens next Thursday, July 26 -- which could draw even more notes from the mostly hesitant brokerage bunch. While nine analysts maintain a "buy" rating on TSCO stock, 10 call it a "hold" or "sell." Echoing this, the average 12-month price target for Tractor Supply is $78.92.

Historically speaking, the shares tend to struggle in the immediate aftermath of the company's results. Over the last eight quarters, specifically, TSCO stock has closed lower the session after earnings five times -- though the most recent earnings reaction was positive. On average, the shares have moved 4.5% the next day, regardless of direction.

Those looking to place a pre-earnings bet on Tractor Supply stock may want to consider an options strategy. TSCO has consistently rewarded premium buyers over the past year, per its elevated Schaeffer's Volatility Scorecard (SVS) reading of 96 (out of a possible 100). This shows the equity has tended to make outsized moves relative to what the options market has priced in.