FASTENAL CO (FAST) Fundamental Analysis & Valuation
NASDAQ:FAST • US3119001044
Current stock price
44.68 USD
-0.6 (-1.33%)
At close:
44.63 USD
-0.05 (-0.11%)
After Hours:
This FAST fundamental analysis includes valuation metrics, fair value assessment, financial health analysis, profitability trends, growth metrics and dividend sustainability analysis.
1. FAST Profitability Analysis
1.1 Basic Checks
- In the past year FAST was profitable.
- In the past year FAST had a positive cash flow from operations.
- In the past 5 years FAST has always been profitable.
- In the past 5 years FAST always reported a positive cash flow from operatings.
1.2 Ratios
- FAST has a better Return On Assets (24.95%) than 100.00% of its industry peers.
- Looking at the Return On Equity, with a value of 32.58%, FAST belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 95.65% of the companies in the same industry.
- The Return On Invested Capital of FAST (29.69%) is better than 100.00% of its industry peers.
- FAST had an Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years of 29.46%. This is significantly above the industry average of 9.22%.
- The 3 year average ROIC (29.46%) for FAST is below the current ROIC(29.69%), indicating increased profibility in the last year.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 24.95% | ||
| ROE | 32.58% | ||
| ROIC | 29.69% |
ROA(3y)25.09%
ROA(5y)24.14%
ROE(3y)32.74%
ROE(5y)32.6%
ROIC(3y)29.46%
ROIC(5y)28.69%
1.3 Margins
- With an excellent Profit Margin value of 15.39%, FAST belongs to the best of the industry, outperforming 93.48% of the companies in the same industry.
- FAST's Profit Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
- The Operating Margin of FAST (20.25%) is better than 86.96% of its industry peers.
- FAST's Operating Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
- The Gross Margin of FAST (44.89%) is better than 86.96% of its industry peers.
- In the last couple of years the Gross Margin of FAST has remained more or less at the same level.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| OM | 20.25% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 15.39% | ||
| GM | 44.89% |
OM growth 3Y-1.02%
OM growth 5Y0%
PM growth 3Y-0.48%
PM growth 5Y0.17%
GM growth 3Y-0.77%
GM growth 5Y-0.2%
2. FAST Health Analysis
2.1 Basic Checks
- The Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) is well above the Cost of Capital (WACC), so FAST is creating value.
- The number of shares outstanding for FAST remains at a similar level compared to 1 year ago.
- FAST has about the same amout of shares outstanding than it did 5 years ago.
- The debt/assets ratio for FAST has been reduced compared to a year ago.
2.2 Solvency
- FAST has an Altman-Z score of 29.96. This indicates that FAST is financially healthy and has little risk of bankruptcy at the moment.
- FAST has a Altman-Z score of 29.96. This is amongst the best in the industry. FAST outperforms 100.00% of its industry peers.
- FAST has a debt to FCF ratio of 0.11. This is a very positive value and a sign of high solvency as it would only need 0.11 years to pay back of all of its debts.
- FAST's Debt to FCF ratio of 0.11 is amongst the best of the industry. FAST outperforms 95.65% of its industry peers.
- FAST has a Debt/Equity ratio of 0.03. This is a healthy value indicating a solid balance between debt and equity.
- With an excellent Debt to Equity ratio value of 0.03, FAST belongs to the best of the industry, outperforming 82.61% of the companies in the same industry.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 0.03 | ||
| Debt/FCF | 0.11 | ||
| Altman-Z | 29.96 |
ROIC/WACC3.23
WACC9.2%
2.3 Liquidity
- FAST has a Current Ratio of 4.39. This indicates that FAST is financially healthy and has no problem in meeting its short term obligations.
- FAST has a better Current ratio (4.39) than 93.48% of its industry peers.
- FAST has a Quick Ratio of 2.34. This indicates that FAST is financially healthy and has no problem in meeting its short term obligations.
- With an excellent Quick ratio value of 2.34, FAST belongs to the best of the industry, outperforming 82.61% of the companies in the same industry.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 4.39 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 2.34 |
3. FAST Growth Analysis
3.1 Past
- FAST shows a strong growth in Earnings Per Share. In the last year, the EPS has been growing by 13.43%, which is quite good.
- The Earnings Per Share has been growing by 8.11% on average over the past years. This is quite good.
- FAST shows quite a strong growth in Revenue. In the last year, the Revenue has grown by 10.94%.
- The Revenue has been growing slightly by 7.75% on average over the past years.
EPS 1Y (TTM)13.43%
EPS 3Y5.01%
EPS 5Y8.11%
EPS Q2Q%15.38%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)10.94%
Revenue growth 3Y5.52%
Revenue growth 5Y7.75%
Sales Q2Q%12.37%
3.2 Future
- Based on estimates for the next years, FAST will show a quite strong growth in Earnings Per Share. The EPS will grow by 11.76% on average per year.
- Based on estimates for the next years, FAST will show a quite strong growth in Revenue. The Revenue will grow by 9.79% on average per year.
EPS Next Y14.23%
EPS Next 2Y11.92%
EPS Next 3Y10.14%
EPS Next 5Y11.76%
Revenue Next Year10.59%
Revenue Next 2Y9.6%
Revenue Next 3Y8.84%
Revenue Next 5Y9.79%
3.3 Evolution
- The EPS growth rate is accelerating: in the next years the growth will be better than in the last years.
- When comparing the Revenue growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is accelerating.
4. FAST Valuation Analysis
4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio
- With a Price/Earnings ratio of 39.19, FAST can be considered very expensive at the moment.
- FAST's Price/Earnings ratio is in line with the industry average.
- Compared to an average S&P500 Price/Earnings ratio of 26.91, FAST is valued a bit more expensive.
- A Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 32.43 indicates a quite expensive valuation of FAST.
- FAST's Price/Forward Earnings ratio is in line with the industry average.
- FAST is valuated rather expensively when we compare the Price/Forward Earnings ratio to 21.99, which is the current average of the S&P500 Index.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 39.19 | ||
| Fwd PE | 32.43 |
4.2 Price Multiples
- Compared to the rest of the industry, the Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio of FAST indicates a slightly more expensive valuation: FAST is more expensive than 73.91% of the companies listed in the same industry.
- Based on the Price/Free Cash Flow ratio, FAST is valued a bit cheaper than 60.87% of the companies in the same industry.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| P/FCF | 44.08 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 27.43 |
4.3 Compensation for Growth
- The high PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates FAST does not grow enough to justify the current Price/Earnings ratio.
- FAST has an outstanding profitability rating, which may justify a higher PE ratio.
PEG (NY)2.75
PEG (5Y)4.84
EPS Next 2Y11.92%
EPS Next 3Y10.14%
5. FAST Dividend Analysis
5.1 Amount
- FAST has a Yearly Dividend Yield of 2.11%.
- Compared to an average industry Dividend Yield of 0.76, FAST pays a better dividend. On top of this FAST pays more dividend than 89.13% of the companies listed in the same industry.
- Compared to an average S&P500 Dividend Yield of 1.82, FAST has a dividend comparable with the average S&P500 company.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 2.11% |
5.2 History
- The dividend of FAST has a limited annual growth rate of 4.58%.
- FAST has paid a dividend for at least 10 years, which is a reliable track record.
- The dividend of FAST decreased recently.
Dividend Growth(5Y)4.58%
Div Incr Years1
Div Non Decr Years1
5.3 Sustainability
- FAST pays out 79.49% of its income as dividend. This is not a sustainable payout ratio.
- FAST's earnings are growing more than its dividend. This makes the dividend growth sustainable.
DP79.49%
EPS Next 2Y11.92%
EPS Next 3Y10.14%
FAST Fundamentals: All Metrics, Ratios and Statistics
44.68
-0.6 (-1.33%)
Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorIndustrials
GICS IndustryGroupCapital Goods
GICS IndustryTrading Companies & Distributors
Earnings (Last)04-13 2026-04-13/bmo
Earnings (Next)07-13 2026-07-13
Inst Owners88.07%
Inst Owner Change-0.1%
Ins Owners0.04%
Ins Owner Change0.59%
Market Cap51.29B
Revenue(TTM)8.44B
Net Income(TTM)1.30B
Analysts58.26
Price Target46.26 (3.54%)
Short Float %2.12%
Short Ratio3.12
Dividend
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 2.11% |
Yearly Dividend0.88
Dividend Growth(5Y)4.58%
DP79.49%
Div Incr Years1
Div Non Decr Years1
Ex-Date04-28 2026-04-28 (0.24)
Surprises & Revisions
EPS beat(2)0
Avg EPS beat(2)-1.69%
Min EPS beat(2)-1.76%
Max EPS beat(2)-1.61%
EPS beat(4)1
Avg EPS beat(4)-1.55%
Min EPS beat(4)-3.93%
Max EPS beat(4)1.09%
EPS beat(8)1
Avg EPS beat(8)-2.05%
EPS beat(12)2
Avg EPS beat(12)-1.83%
EPS beat(16)4
Avg EPS beat(16)-1.31%
Revenue beat(2)0
Avg Revenue beat(2)-2.3%
Min Revenue beat(2)-2.76%
Max Revenue beat(2)-1.84%
Revenue beat(4)0
Avg Revenue beat(4)-2.02%
Min Revenue beat(4)-2.76%
Max Revenue beat(4)-1.69%
Revenue beat(8)0
Avg Revenue beat(8)-2%
Revenue beat(12)0
Avg Revenue beat(12)-2.09%
Revenue beat(16)0
Avg Revenue beat(16)-1.99%
PT rev (1m)1.68%
PT rev (3m)3.62%
EPS NQ rev (1m)0.8%
EPS NQ rev (3m)2.45%
EPS NY rev (1m)1.03%
EPS NY rev (3m)1.34%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)0.64%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)1.72%
Revenue NY rev (1m)0.55%
Revenue NY rev (3m)1.05%
Valuation
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 39.19 | ||
| Fwd PE | 32.43 | ||
| P/S | 6.08 | ||
| P/FCF | 44.08 | ||
| P/OCF | 36.32 | ||
| P/B | 12.86 | ||
| P/tB | 12.86 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 27.43 |
EPS(TTM)1.14
EY2.55%
EPS(NY)1.38
Fwd EY3.08%
FCF(TTM)1.01
FCFY2.27%
OCF(TTM)1.23
OCFY2.75%
SpS7.35
BVpS3.48
TBVpS3.48
PEG (NY)2.75
PEG (5Y)4.84
Graham Number9.4413 (-78.87%)
Profitability
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 24.95% | ||
| ROE | 32.58% | ||
| ROCE | 38.98% | ||
| ROIC | 29.69% | ||
| ROICexc | 31.94% | ||
| ROICexgc | 31.94% | ||
| OM | 20.25% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 15.39% | ||
| GM | 44.89% | ||
| FCFM | 13.78% |
ROA(3y)25.09%
ROA(5y)24.14%
ROE(3y)32.74%
ROE(5y)32.6%
ROIC(3y)29.46%
ROIC(5y)28.69%
ROICexc(3y)31.4%
ROICexc(5y)30.6%
ROICexgc(3y)31.4%
ROICexgc(5y)30.6%
ROCE(3y)38.68%
ROCE(5y)37.67%
ROICexgc growth 3Y-0.34%
ROICexgc growth 5Y1.29%
ROICexc growth 3Y-0.34%
ROICexc growth 5Y2.12%
OM growth 3Y-1.02%
OM growth 5Y0%
PM growth 3Y-0.48%
PM growth 5Y0.17%
GM growth 3Y-0.77%
GM growth 5Y-0.2%
F-Score7
Asset Turnover1.62
Health
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 0.03 | ||
| Debt/FCF | 0.11 | ||
| Debt/EBITDA | 0.05 | ||
| Cap/Depr | 138.75% | ||
| Cap/Sales | 2.94% | ||
| Interest Coverage | 294.74 | ||
| Cash Conversion | 74.77% | ||
| Profit Quality | 89.53% | ||
| Current Ratio | 4.39 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 2.34 | ||
| Altman-Z | 29.96 |
F-Score7
WACC9.2%
ROIC/WACC3.23
Cap/Depr(3y)121.16%
Cap/Depr(5y)110.73%
Cap/Sales(3y)2.78%
Cap/Sales(5y)2.69%
Profit Quality(3y)91.62%
Profit Quality(5y)82.35%
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)13.43%
EPS 3Y5.01%
EPS 5Y8.11%
EPS Q2Q%15.38%
EPS Next Y14.23%
EPS Next 2Y11.92%
EPS Next 3Y10.14%
EPS Next 5Y11.76%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)10.94%
Revenue growth 3Y5.52%
Revenue growth 5Y7.75%
Sales Q2Q%12.37%
Revenue Next Year10.59%
Revenue Next 2Y9.6%
Revenue Next 3Y8.84%
Revenue Next 5Y9.79%
EBIT growth 1Y12.94%
EBIT growth 3Y4.43%
EBIT growth 5Y7.74%
EBIT Next Year23.2%
EBIT Next 3Y13.11%
EBIT Next 5Y11.02%
FCF growth 1Y-2.21%
FCF growth 3Y11.05%
FCF growth 5Y2.39%
OCF growth 1Y2.34%
OCF growth 3Y11.26%
OCF growth 5Y3.3%
FASTENAL CO / FAST Fundamental Analysis FAQ
What is the ChartMill fundamental rating of FASTENAL CO (FAST) stock?
ChartMill assigns a fundamental rating of 7 / 10 to FAST.
What is the valuation status of FASTENAL CO (FAST) stock?
ChartMill assigns a valuation rating of 2 / 10 to FASTENAL CO (FAST). This can be considered as Overvalued.
How profitable is FASTENAL CO (FAST) stock?
FASTENAL CO (FAST) has a profitability rating of 9 / 10.
Can you provide the financial health for FAST stock?
The financial health rating of FASTENAL CO (FAST) is 10 / 10.
How sustainable is the dividend of FASTENAL CO (FAST) stock?
The dividend rating of FASTENAL CO (FAST) is 5 / 10 and the dividend payout ratio is 79.49%.