FASTENAL CO (FAST) Stock Fundamental Analysis
USA - NASDAQ:FAST - US3119001044 - Common Stock
39.3175 USD
-0.23 (-0.59%)
We assign a fundamental rating of 7 out of 10 to FAST. FAST was compared to 50 industry peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. FAST gets an excellent profitability rating and is at the same time showing great financial health properties. FAST is valied quite expensively at the moment, while it does show a decent growth rate. These ratings would make FAST suitable for quality investing!
1. Profitability
1.1 Basic Checks
In the past year FAST was profitable.
FAST had a positive operating cash flow in the past year.
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
Looking at the Return On Assets, with a value of 23.97%, FAST belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 100.00% of the companies in the same industry.
Looking at the Return On Equity, with a value of 31.50%, FAST belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 90.00% of the companies in the same industry.
FAST's Return On Invested Capital of 28.71% is amongst the best of the industry. FAST outperforms 100.00% of its industry peers.
FAST had an Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years of 29.56%. This is significantly above the industry average of 9.31%.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 23.97% | ||
| ROE | 31.5% | ||
| ROIC | 28.71% |
ROA(3y)24.76%
ROA(5y)23.49%
ROE(3y)33.56%
ROE(5y)32.5%
ROIC(3y)29.56%
ROIC(5y)28.03%
1.3 Margins
FAST's Profit Margin of 15.34% is amongst the best of the industry. FAST outperforms 82.00% of its industry peers.
FAST's Profit Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
With an excellent Operating Margin value of 20.21%, FAST belongs to the best of the industry, outperforming 82.00% of the companies in the same industry.
In the last couple of years the Operating Margin of FAST has remained more or less at the same level.
FAST's Gross Margin of 45.15% is amongst the best of the industry. FAST outperforms 82.00% of its industry peers.
FAST's Gross Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| OM | 20.21% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 15.34% | ||
| GM | 45.15% |
OM growth 3Y-0.4%
OM growth 5Y0.21%
PM growth 3Y-0.31%
PM growth 5Y0.56%
GM growth 3Y-0.82%
GM growth 5Y-0.9%
2. Health
2.1 Basic Checks
FAST has a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC), which is well above the Cost of Capital (WACC), which means it is creating value.
FAST has more shares outstanding than it did 1 year ago.
Compared to 5 years ago, FAST has about the same amount of shares outstanding.
FAST has a better debt/assets ratio than last year.
2.2 Solvency
An Altman-Z score of 26.59 indicates that FAST is not in any danger for bankruptcy at the moment.
Looking at the Altman-Z score, with a value of 26.59, FAST belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 100.00% of the companies in the same industry.
The Debt to FCF ratio of FAST is 0.20, which is an excellent value as it means it would take FAST, only 0.20 years of fcf income to pay off all of its debts.
FAST has a better Debt to FCF ratio (0.20) than 92.00% of its industry peers.
A Debt/Equity ratio of 0.03 indicates that FAST is not too dependend on debt financing.
Looking at the Debt to Equity ratio, with a value of 0.03, FAST is in the better half of the industry, outperforming 78.00% of the companies in the same industry.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 0.03 | ||
| Debt/FCF | 0.2 | ||
| Altman-Z | 26.59 |
ROIC/WACC3.29
WACC8.73%
2.3 Liquidity
FAST has a Current Ratio of 4.26. This indicates that FAST is financially healthy and has no problem in meeting its short term obligations.
FAST's Current ratio of 4.26 is amongst the best of the industry. FAST outperforms 92.00% of its industry peers.
A Quick Ratio of 2.19 indicates that FAST has no problem at all paying its short term obligations.
FAST has a better Quick ratio (2.19) than 80.00% of its industry peers.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 4.26 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 2.19 |
3. Growth
3.1 Past
FAST shows a small growth in Earnings Per Share. In the last year, the EPS has grown by 6.47%.
Measured over the past 5 years, FAST shows a small growth in Earnings Per Share. The EPS has been growing by 7.81% on average per year.
The Revenue has been growing slightly by 6.92% in the past year.
The Revenue has been growing slightly by 7.19% on average over the past years.
EPS 1Y (TTM)6.47%
EPS 3Y7.68%
EPS 5Y7.81%
EPS Q2Q%11.54%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)6.92%
Revenue growth 3Y7.88%
Revenue growth 5Y7.19%
Sales Q2Q%11.68%
3.2 Future
The Earnings Per Share is expected to grow by 11.13% on average over the next years. This is quite good.
The Revenue is expected to grow by 8.94% on average over the next years. This is quite good.
EPS Next Y11.58%
EPS Next 2Y11.03%
EPS Next 3Y10.19%
EPS Next 5Y11.13%
Revenue Next Year8.47%
Revenue Next 2Y8.7%
Revenue Next 3Y8.35%
Revenue Next 5Y8.94%
3.3 Evolution
The EPS growth rate is accelerating: in the next years the growth will be better than in the last years.
The Revenue growth rate is accelerating: in the next years the growth will be better than in the last years.
4. Valuation
4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio
FAST is valuated quite expensively with a Price/Earnings ratio of 36.75.
FAST's Price/Earnings ratio is a bit more expensive when compared to the industry. FAST is more expensive than 62.00% of the companies in the same industry.
When comparing the Price/Earnings ratio of FAST to the average of the S&P500 Index (25.47), we can say FAST is valued slightly more expensively.
A Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 31.73 indicates a quite expensive valuation of FAST.
Based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio, FAST is valued a bit more expensive than the industry average as 66.00% of the companies are valued more cheaply.
FAST is valuated at similar levels of the S&P average when we compare the Price/Forward Earnings ratio to 35.42, which is the current average of the S&P500 Index.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 36.75 | ||
| Fwd PE | 31.73 |
4.2 Price Multiples
Based on the Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio, FAST is valued a bit more expensive than 72.00% of the companies in the same industry.
FAST's Price/Free Cash Flow ratio is in line with the industry average.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| P/FCF | 46.77 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 25.24 |
4.3 Compensation for Growth
The high PEG Ratio(NY), which compensates the Price/Earnings for growth, indicates an expensive valuation of the company.
The excellent profitability rating of FAST may justify a higher PE ratio.
PEG (NY)3.17
PEG (5Y)4.7
EPS Next 2Y11.03%
EPS Next 3Y10.19%
5. Dividend
5.1 Amount
FAST has a Yearly Dividend Yield of 2.16%.
The stock price of FAST dropped by -21.51% in the last 3 months. With lower prices the dividend yield is higher, but it may be a sign investors do not trust the long term dividend.
FAST's Dividend Yield is rather good when compared to the industry average which is at 2.04. FAST pays more dividend than 88.00% of the companies in the same industry.
Compared to an average S&P500 Dividend Yield of 2.44, FAST has a dividend comparable with the average S&P500 company.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 2.16% |
5.2 History
The dividend of FAST decreases each year by -2.16%.
FAST has been paying a dividend for at least 10 years, so it has a reliable track record.
Dividend Growth(5Y)-2.16%
Div Incr Years0
Div Non Decr Years0
5.3 Sustainability
FAST pays out 79.49% of its income as dividend. This is not a sustainable payout ratio.
DP79.49%
EPS Next 2Y11.03%
EPS Next 3Y10.19%
NASDAQ:FAST (11/20/2025, 11:42:08 AM)
39.3175
-0.23 (-0.59%)
Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorIndustrials
GICS IndustryGroupCapital Goods
GICS IndustryTrading Companies & Distributors
Earnings (Last)
Earnings (Next)
Inst Owners87.33%
Inst Owner Change2.1%
Ins Owners0.09%
Ins Owner Change0.63%
Market Cap45.14B
Revenue(TTM)8.00B
Net Income(TTM)1.23B
Analysts70
Price Target44.66 (13.59%)
Short Float %2.29%
Short Ratio3.98
Dividend
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 2.16% |
Yearly Dividend0.78
Dividend Growth(5Y)-2.16%
DP79.49%
Div Incr Years0
Div Non Decr Years0
Ex-Date
Surprises & Revisions
EPS beat(2)1
Avg EPS beat(2)-1.42%
Min EPS beat(2)-3.93%
Max EPS beat(2)1.09%
EPS beat(4)1
Avg EPS beat(4)-2.62%
Min EPS beat(4)-5.73%
Max EPS beat(4)1.09%
EPS beat(8)1
Avg EPS beat(8)-2.06%
EPS beat(12)3
Avg EPS beat(12)-1.44%
EPS beat(16)6
Avg EPS beat(16)-0.63%
Revenue beat(2)0
Avg Revenue beat(2)-1.73%
Min Revenue beat(2)-1.78%
Max Revenue beat(2)-1.69%
Revenue beat(4)0
Avg Revenue beat(4)-1.98%
Min Revenue beat(4)-2.95%
Max Revenue beat(4)-1.49%
Revenue beat(8)0
Avg Revenue beat(8)-1.99%
Revenue beat(12)0
Avg Revenue beat(12)-1.96%
Revenue beat(16)0
Avg Revenue beat(16)-1.79%
PT rev (1m)-0.85%
PT rev (3m)6.56%
EPS NQ rev (1m)-3.7%
EPS NQ rev (3m)-3.94%
EPS NY rev (1m)-0.96%
EPS NY rev (3m)0.68%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)-0.24%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)-0.48%
Revenue NY rev (1m)-0.1%
Revenue NY rev (3m)-0.13%
Valuation
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 36.75 | ||
| Fwd PE | 31.73 | ||
| P/S | 5.64 | ||
| P/FCF | 46.77 | ||
| P/OCF | 37.29 | ||
| P/B | 11.59 | ||
| P/tB | 11.59 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 25.24 |
EPS(TTM)1.07
EY2.72%
EPS(NY)1.24
Fwd EY3.15%
FCF(TTM)0.84
FCFY2.14%
OCF(TTM)1.05
OCFY2.68%
SpS6.97
BVpS3.39
TBVpS3.39
PEG (NY)3.17
PEG (5Y)4.7
Graham Number9.04
Profitability
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 23.97% | ||
| ROE | 31.5% | ||
| ROCE | 37.73% | ||
| ROIC | 28.71% | ||
| ROICexc | 30.78% | ||
| ROICexgc | 30.78% | ||
| OM | 20.21% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 15.34% | ||
| GM | 45.15% | ||
| FCFM | 12.07% |
ROA(3y)24.76%
ROA(5y)23.49%
ROE(3y)33.56%
ROE(5y)32.5%
ROIC(3y)29.56%
ROIC(5y)28.03%
ROICexc(3y)31.48%
ROICexc(5y)29.95%
ROICexgc(3y)31.48%
ROICexgc(5y)30.19%
ROCE(3y)38.84%
ROCE(5y)36.84%
ROICexgc growth 3Y3.75%
ROICexgc growth 5Y3.24%
ROICexc growth 3Y3.75%
ROICexc growth 5Y3.24%
OM growth 3Y-0.4%
OM growth 5Y0.21%
PM growth 3Y-0.31%
PM growth 5Y0.56%
GM growth 3Y-0.82%
GM growth 5Y-0.9%
F-Score3
Asset Turnover1.56
Health
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 0.03 | ||
| Debt/FCF | 0.2 | ||
| Debt/EBITDA | 0.06 | ||
| Cap/Depr | 137.07% | ||
| Cap/Sales | 3.07% | ||
| Interest Coverage | 215.51 | ||
| Cash Conversion | 67.43% | ||
| Profit Quality | 78.68% | ||
| Current Ratio | 4.26 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 2.19 | ||
| Altman-Z | 26.59 |
F-Score3
WACC8.73%
ROIC/WACC3.29
Cap/Depr(3y)108.34%
Cap/Depr(5y)104.05%
Cap/Sales(3y)2.61%
Cap/Sales(5y)2.69%
Profit Quality(3y)87.32%
Profit Quality(5y)87.39%
High Growth Momentum
Growth
EPS 1Y (TTM)6.47%
EPS 3Y7.68%
EPS 5Y7.81%
EPS Q2Q%11.54%
EPS Next Y11.58%
EPS Next 2Y11.03%
EPS Next 3Y10.19%
EPS Next 5Y11.13%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)6.92%
Revenue growth 3Y7.88%
Revenue growth 5Y7.19%
Sales Q2Q%11.68%
Revenue Next Year8.47%
Revenue Next 2Y8.7%
Revenue Next 3Y8.35%
Revenue Next 5Y8.94%
EBIT growth 1Y6.41%
EBIT growth 3Y7.44%
EBIT growth 5Y7.41%
EBIT Next Year21.94%
EBIT Next 3Y13.46%
EBIT Next 5Y12.31%
FCF growth 1Y-19.66%
FCF growth 3Y15.56%
FCF growth 5Y9.69%
OCF growth 1Y-12.31%
OCF growth 3Y15.07%
OCF growth 5Y6.84%
FASTENAL CO / FAST 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 for FAST stock?
ChartMill assigns a valuation rating of 2 / 10 to FASTENAL CO (FAST). This can be considered as Overvalued.
What is the profitability of FAST stock?
FASTENAL CO (FAST) has a profitability rating of 8 / 10.
Can you provide the financial health for FAST stock?
The financial health rating of FASTENAL CO (FAST) is 9 / 10.
What is the earnings growth outlook for FASTENAL CO?
The Earnings per Share (EPS) of FASTENAL CO (FAST) is expected to grow by 11.58% in the next year.