FASTENAL CO (FAST) Fundamental Analysis & Valuation
NASDAQ:FAST • US3119001044
Current stock price
46.3 USD
-0.33 (-0.71%)
At close:
46.5 USD
+0.2 (+0.43%)
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
- FAST had positive earnings in the past year.
- FAST had a positive operating cash flow in the past year.
- Each year in the past 5 years FAST has been profitable.
- FAST had a positive operating cash flow in each of the past 5 years.
1.2 Ratios
- FAST has a better Return On Assets (24.91%) than 100.00% of its industry peers.
- FAST's Return On Equity of 31.92% is amongst the best of the industry. FAST outperforms 95.74% of its industry peers.
- FAST has a Return On Invested Capital of 29.08%. This is amongst the best in the industry. FAST outperforms 100.00% of its industry peers.
- The Average Return On Invested Capital over the past 3 years for FAST is significantly above the industry average of 9.00%.
| 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
- Looking at the Profit Margin, with a value of 15.35%, FAST belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 89.36% of the companies in the same industry.
- In the last couple of years the Profit Margin of FAST has remained more or less at the same level.
- FAST's Operating Margin of 20.19% is amongst the best of the industry. FAST outperforms 87.23% of its industry peers.
- In the last couple of years the Operating Margin of FAST has remained more or less at the same level.
- FAST has a Gross Margin of 45.01%. This is amongst the best in the industry. FAST outperforms 87.23% of its industry peers.
- FAST's Gross Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
| 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. FAST Health Analysis
2.1 Basic Checks
- With a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) well above the Cost of Capital (WACC), FAST is creating value.
- Compared to 1 year ago, FAST has about the same amount of shares outstanding.
- Compared to 5 years ago, FAST has about the same amount of shares outstanding.
- Compared to 1 year ago, FAST has an improved debt to assets ratio.
2.2 Solvency
- An Altman-Z score of 33.19 indicates that FAST is not in any danger for bankruptcy at the moment.
- FAST has a better Altman-Z score (33.19) than 100.00% of its industry peers.
- The Debt to FCF ratio of FAST is 0.12, which is an excellent value as it means it would take FAST, only 0.12 years of fcf income to pay off all of its debts.
- With an excellent Debt to FCF ratio value of 0.12, FAST belongs to the best of the industry, outperforming 93.62% of the companies in the same industry.
- A Debt/Equity ratio of 0.03 indicates that FAST is not too dependend on debt financing.
- FAST has a better Debt to Equity ratio (0.03) than 82.98% of its industry peers.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt/Equity | 0.03 | ||
| Debt/FCF | 0.12 | ||
| Altman-Z | 33.19 |
ROIC/WACC3.24
WACC8.97%
2.3 Liquidity
- FAST has a Current Ratio of 4.85. This indicates that FAST is financially healthy and has no problem in meeting its short term obligations.
- With an excellent Current ratio value of 4.85, FAST belongs to the best of the industry, outperforming 97.87% of the companies in the same industry.
- FAST has a Quick Ratio of 2.41. This indicates that FAST is financially healthy and has no problem in meeting its short term obligations.
- With an excellent Quick ratio value of 2.41, FAST belongs to the best of the industry, outperforming 87.23% of the companies in the same industry.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 4.85 | ||
| Quick Ratio | 2.41 |
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 9.45%, which is quite good.
- Measured over the past years, FAST shows a quite strong growth in Earnings Per Share. The EPS has been growing by 8.11% on average per year.
- The Revenue has grown by 8.67% in the past year. This is quite good.
- FAST shows a small growth in Revenue. Measured over the last years, the Revenue has been growing by 7.75% yearly.
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
- The Earnings Per Share is expected to grow by 11.76% on average over the next years. This is quite good.
- 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 Y13.07%
EPS Next 2Y11.28%
EPS Next 3Y9.77%
EPS Next 5Y11.76%
Revenue Next Year10.07%
Revenue Next 2Y9.3%
Revenue Next 3Y8.36%
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.
- The Revenue growth rate is accelerating: in the next years the growth will be better than in the last years.
4. FAST Valuation Analysis
4.1 Price/Earnings Ratio
- FAST is valuated quite expensively with a Price/Earnings ratio of 42.09.
- FAST's Price/Earnings is on the same level as the industry average.
- FAST's Price/Earnings ratio indicates a rather expensive valuation when compared to the S&P500 average which is at 25.60.
- FAST is valuated quite expensively with a Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 37.22.
- FAST's Price/Forward Earnings ratio is in line with the industry average.
- The average S&P500 Price/Forward Earnings ratio is at 22.84. FAST is valued rather expensively when compared to this.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 42.09 | ||
| Fwd PE | 37.22 |
4.2 Price Multiples
- Based on the Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio, FAST is valued a bit more expensive than 68.09% of the companies in the same industry.
- FAST's Price/Free Cash Flow is on the same level as the industry average.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| P/FCF | 50.61 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 28.89 |
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)3.22
PEG (5Y)5.19
EPS Next 2Y11.28%
EPS Next 3Y9.77%
5. FAST Dividend Analysis
5.1 Amount
- With a Yearly Dividend Yield of 2.14%, FAST has a reasonable but not impressive dividend return.
- Compared to an average industry Dividend Yield of 0.84, FAST pays a better dividend. On top of this FAST pays more dividend than 89.36% of the companies listed in the same industry.
- FAST's Dividend Yield is comparable with the S&P500 average which is at 1.90.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 2.14% |
5.2 History
- The dividend of FAST has a limited annual growth rate of 4.58%.
- FAST has been paying a dividend for at least 10 years, so it has a reliable track record.
- FAST has decreased its dividend recently.
Dividend Growth(5Y)4.58%
Div Incr Years1
Div Non Decr Years1
5.3 Sustainability
- 79.79% of the earnings are spent on dividend by FAST. This is not a sustainable payout ratio.
- The dividend of FAST is growing, but earnings are growing more, so the dividend growth is sustainable.
DP79.79%
EPS Next 2Y11.28%
EPS Next 3Y9.77%
FAST Fundamentals: All Metrics, Ratios and Statistics
46.3
-0.33 (-0.71%)
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 Owners88.25%
Inst Owner Change0.9%
Ins Owners0.04%
Ins Owner Change0.8%
Market Cap53.17B
Revenue(TTM)8.20B
Net Income(TTM)1.26B
Analysts58.26
Price Target46 (-0.65%)
Short Float %2.72%
Short Ratio3.54
Dividend
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 2.14% |
Yearly Dividend0.88
Dividend Growth(5Y)4.58%
DP79.79%
Div Incr Years1
Div Non Decr Years1
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)1.12%
PT rev (3m)3.04%
EPS NQ rev (1m)1.29%
EPS NQ rev (3m)2.01%
EPS NY rev (1m)0%
EPS NY rev (3m)0.3%
Revenue NQ rev (1m)0.58%
Revenue NQ rev (3m)0.68%
Revenue NY rev (1m)0.5%
Revenue NY rev (3m)0.92%
Valuation
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 42.09 | ||
| Fwd PE | 37.22 | ||
| P/S | 6.48 | ||
| P/FCF | 50.61 | ||
| P/OCF | 41.03 | ||
| P/B | 13.48 | ||
| P/tB | 13.48 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 28.89 |
EPS(TTM)1.1
EY2.38%
EPS(NY)1.24
Fwd EY2.69%
FCF(TTM)0.91
FCFY1.98%
OCF(TTM)1.13
OCFY2.44%
SpS7.14
BVpS3.43
TBVpS3.43
PEG (NY)3.22
PEG (5Y)5.19
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 | 33.19 |
F-Score7
WACC8.97%
ROIC/WACC3.24
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 Y13.07%
EPS Next 2Y11.28%
EPS Next 3Y9.77%
EPS Next 5Y11.76%
Revenue 1Y (TTM)8.67%
Revenue growth 3Y5.52%
Revenue growth 5Y7.75%
Sales Q2Q%11.12%
Revenue Next Year10.07%
Revenue Next 2Y9.3%
Revenue Next 3Y8.36%
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 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 8 / 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 79.79%.