FASTENAL CO (FAST) Stock Fundamental Analysis
NASDAQ:FAST • US3119001044
46.33 USD
+0.29 (+0.63%)
At close: Mar 2, 2026
46.3 USD
-0.03 (-0.06%)
After Hours: 3/2/2026, 8:16:33 PM
Taking everything into account, FAST scores 7 out of 10 in our fundamental rating. FAST was compared to 50 industry peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. Both the health and profitability get an excellent rating, making FAST a very profitable company, without any liquidiy or solvency issues. FAST is quite expensive at the moment. It does show a decent growth rate. These ratings could make FAST a good candidate 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.
- Each year in the past 5 years FAST has 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 24.91%, FAST belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 100.00% of the companies in the same industry.
- With an excellent Return On Equity value of 31.92%, FAST belongs to the best of the industry, outperforming 90.00% of the companies in the same industry.
- With an excellent Return On Invested Capital value of 29.08%, FAST belongs to the best of the industry, outperforming 100.00% of the companies in the same industry.
- Measured over the past 3 years, the Average Return On Invested Capital for FAST is significantly above the industry average of 9.52%.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 24.91% | ||
| ROE | 31.92% | ||
| ROIC | 29.08% |
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
- FAST has a Profit Margin of 15.35%. This is amongst the best in the industry. FAST outperforms 82.00% of its industry peers.
- FAST's Profit Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
- FAST's Operating Margin of 20.19% is amongst the best of the industry. FAST outperforms 82.00% of its industry peers.
- FAST's Operating Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
- With an excellent Gross Margin value of 45.01%, 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 Gross Margin of FAST has remained more or less at the same level.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| OM | 20.19% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 15.35% | ||
| GM | 45.01% |
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. Health
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.
- The number of shares outstanding for FAST remains at a similar level compared to 5 years ago.
- The debt/assets ratio for FAST has been reduced compared to a year ago.
2.2 Solvency
- An Altman-Z score of 33.02 indicates that FAST is not in any danger for bankruptcy at the moment.
- FAST has a better Altman-Z score (33.02) than 100.00% of its industry peers.
- FAST has a debt to FCF ratio of 0.12. This is a very positive value and a sign of high solvency as it would only need 0.12 years to pay back of all of its debts.
- With an excellent Debt to FCF ratio value of 0.12, FAST belongs to the best of the industry, outperforming 90.00% of the companies in the same industry.
- FAST has a Debt/Equity ratio of 0.03. This is a healthy value indicating a solid balance between debt and equity.
- FAST has a Debt to Equity ratio of 0.03. This is in the better half of the industry: FAST outperforms 80.00% of its industry peers.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 0.03 | ||
| Debt/FCF | 0.12 | ||
| Altman-Z | 33.02 |
ROIC/WACC3.09
WACC9.41%
2.3 Liquidity
- A Current Ratio of 4.85 indicates that FAST has no problem at all paying its short term obligations.
- FAST's Current ratio of 4.85 is amongst the best of the industry. FAST outperforms 92.00% of its industry peers.
- A Quick Ratio of 2.41 indicates that FAST has no problem at all paying its short term obligations.
- With an excellent Quick ratio value of 2.41, FAST belongs to the best of the industry, outperforming 84.00% of the companies in the same industry.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 4.85 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 2.41 |
3. Growth
3.1 Past
- The Earnings Per Share has grown by an nice 9.45% over the past year.
- 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 8.67%.
- Measured over the past years, FAST shows a small growth in Revenue. The Revenue has been growing by 7.75% on average per year.
EPS 1Y (TTM)9.45%
EPS 3Y5.01%
EPS 5Y8.11%
EPS Q2Q%13.04%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)8.67%
Revenue growth 3Y5.52%
Revenue growth 5Y7.75%
Sales Q2Q%11.12%
3.2 Future
- FAST is expected to show quite a strong growth in Earnings Per Share. In the coming years, the EPS will grow by 11.76% yearly.
- 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 Y12.69%
EPS Next 2Y11%
EPS Next 3Y9.74%
EPS Next 5Y11.76%
Revenue Next Year9.52%
Revenue Next 2Y8.83%
Revenue Next 3Y8.03%
Revenue Next 5Y9.79%
3.3 Evolution
- When comparing the EPS growth rate of the last years to the growth rate of the upcoming years, we see that the growth is accelerating.
- 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
- The Price/Earnings ratio is 42.12, which means the current valuation is very expensive for FAST.
- FAST's Price/Earnings ratio is in line with the industry average.
- When comparing the Price/Earnings ratio of FAST to the average of the S&P500 Index (27.13), we can say FAST is valued expensively.
- FAST is valuated quite expensively with a Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 37.38.
- Based on the Price/Forward Earnings ratio, FAST is valued a bit more expensive than 60.00% of the companies in the same industry.
- FAST's Price/Forward Earnings ratio indicates a valuation a bit more expensive than the S&P500 average which is at 28.11.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 42.12 | ||
| Fwd PE | 37.38 |
4.2 Price Multiples
- FAST's Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio is a bit more expensive when compared to the industry. FAST is more expensive than 68.00% of the companies in the same industry.
- The rest of the industry has a similar Price/Free Cash Flow ratio as FAST.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| P/FCF | 50.63 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 28.73 |
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)3.32
PEG (5Y)5.2
EPS Next 2Y11%
EPS Next 3Y9.74%
5. Dividend
5.1 Amount
- FAST has a Yearly Dividend Yield of 2.10%.
- FAST's Dividend Yield is rather good when compared to the industry average which is at 0.78. FAST pays more dividend than 92.00% of the companies in the same industry.
- FAST's Dividend Yield is comparable with the S&P500 average which is at 1.82.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 2.1% |
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.
Dividend Growth(5Y)4.58%
Div Incr Years0
Div Non Decr Years0
5.3 Sustainability
- 79.79% of the earnings are spent on dividend by FAST. This is not a sustainable payout ratio.
- FAST's earnings are growing more than its dividend. This makes the dividend growth sustainable.
DP79.79%
EPS Next 2Y11%
EPS Next 3Y9.74%
46.33
+0.29 (+0.63%)
Chartmill FA Rating
GICS SectorIndustrials
GICS IndustryGroupCapital Goods
GICS IndustryTrading Companies & Distributors
Earnings (Last)01-20 2026-01-20/bmo
Earnings (Next)04-13 2026-04-13
Inst Owners88.48%
Inst Owner Change0.91%
Ins Owners0.04%
Ins Owner Change0.09%
Market Cap53.20B
Revenue(TTM)8.20B
Net Income(TTM)1.26B
Analysts58.26
Price Target45.49 (-1.81%)
Short Float %3.03%
Short Ratio3.97
Dividend
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 2.1% |
Yearly Dividend0.88
Dividend Growth(5Y)4.58%
DP79.79%
Div Incr Years0
Div Non Decr Years0
Ex-Date01-29 2026-01-29 (0.24)
Surprises & Revisions
EPS beat(2)0
Avg EPS beat(2)-2.77%
Min EPS beat(2)-3.93%
Max EPS beat(2)-1.61%
EPS beat(4)1
Avg EPS beat(4)-1.59%
Min EPS beat(4)-3.93%
Max EPS beat(4)1.09%
EPS beat(8)1
Avg EPS beat(8)-2.25%
EPS beat(12)3
Avg EPS beat(12)-1.55%
EPS beat(16)5
Avg EPS beat(16)-0.99%
Revenue beat(2)0
Avg Revenue beat(2)-2.27%
Min Revenue beat(2)-2.76%
Max Revenue beat(2)-1.78%
Revenue beat(4)0
Avg Revenue beat(4)-1.93%
Min Revenue beat(4)-2.76%
Max Revenue beat(4)-1.49%
Revenue beat(8)0
Avg Revenue beat(8)-2.13%
Revenue beat(12)0
Avg Revenue beat(12)-2.1%
Revenue beat(16)0
Avg Revenue beat(16)-1.94%
PT rev (1m)1.9%
PT rev (3m)2.16%
EPS NQ rev (1m)0.48%
EPS NQ rev (3m)0.84%
EPS NY rev (1m)-0.03%
EPS NY rev (3m)0.05%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)0%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)0.27%
Revenue NY rev (1m)0.07%
Revenue NY rev (3m)0.52%
Valuation
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 42.12 | ||
| Fwd PE | 37.38 | ||
| P/S | 6.49 | ||
| P/FCF | 50.63 | ||
| P/OCF | 41.05 | ||
| P/B | 13.49 | ||
| P/tB | 13.49 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 28.73 |
EPS(TTM)1.1
EY2.37%
EPS(NY)1.24
Fwd EY2.68%
FCF(TTM)0.92
FCFY1.97%
OCF(TTM)1.13
OCFY2.44%
SpS7.14
BVpS3.43
TBVpS3.43
PEG (NY)3.32
PEG (5Y)5.2
Graham Number9.22
Profitability
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ROA | 24.91% | ||
| ROE | 31.92% | ||
| ROCE | 38.18% | ||
| ROIC | 29.08% | ||
| ROICexc | 31.06% | ||
| ROICexgc | 31.06% | ||
| OM | 20.19% | ||
| PM (TTM) | 15.35% | ||
| GM | 45.01% | ||
| FCFM | 12.81% |
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 | 0.12 | ||
| Debt/EBITDA | 0.05 | ||
| Cap/Depr | 136.89% | ||
| Cap/Sales | 2.99% | ||
| Interest Coverage | 250.88 | ||
| Cash Conversion | 70.62% | ||
| Profit Quality | 83.47% | ||
| Current Ratio | 4.85 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 2.41 | ||
| Altman-Z | 33.02 |
F-Score7
WACC9.41%
ROIC/WACC3.09
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)9.45%
EPS 3Y5.01%
EPS 5Y8.11%
EPS Q2Q%13.04%
EPS Next Y12.69%
EPS Next 2Y11%
EPS Next 3Y9.74%
EPS Next 5Y11.76%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)8.67%
Revenue growth 3Y5.52%
Revenue growth 5Y7.75%
Sales Q2Q%11.12%
Revenue Next Year9.52%
Revenue Next 2Y8.83%
Revenue Next 3Y8.03%
Revenue Next 5Y9.79%
EBIT growth 1Y9.66%
EBIT growth 3Y4.43%
EBIT growth 5Y7.74%
EBIT Next Year22.08%
EBIT Next 3Y12.74%
EBIT Next 5Y11.02%
FCF growth 1Y10.96%
FCF growth 3Y11.05%
FCF growth 5Y2.39%
OCF growth 1Y10.45%
OCF growth 3Y11.26%
OCF growth 5Y3.3%
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 of FASTENAL CO (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.
What are the PE and PB ratios of FASTENAL CO (FAST) stock?
The Price/Earnings (PE) ratio for FASTENAL CO (FAST) is 42.12 and the Price/Book (PB) ratio is 13.49.
Can you provide the dividend sustainability for FAST stock?
The dividend rating of FASTENAL CO (FAST) is 5 / 10 and the dividend payout ratio is 79.79%.