FASTENAL CO (FAST) Fundamental Analysis & Valuation
NASDAQ:FAST • US3119001044
Current stock price
49.1 USD
+0.92 (+1.91%)
At close:
49.29 USD
+0.19 (+0.39%)
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.
- FAST had a positive operating cash flow in the past year.
- Each year in the past 5 years FAST has been profitable.
- Each year in the past 5 years FAST had a positive operating cash flow.
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.
- Looking at the Return On Equity, with a value of 31.92%, FAST belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 95.74% of the companies in the same industry.
- FAST's Return On Invested Capital of 29.08% is amongst the best of 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.
- FAST's Profit Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
- Looking at the Operating Margin, with a value of 20.19%, FAST belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 87.23% of the companies in the same industry.
- FAST's Operating Margin has been stable in the last couple of years.
- FAST has a Gross Margin of 45.01%. This is amongst the best in the industry. FAST outperforms 87.23% 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 | 20.19% | ||
| 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
- FAST has a Return on Invested Capital (ROIC), which is well above the Cost of Capital (WACC), which means it 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.
- Compared to 1 year ago, FAST has an improved debt to assets ratio.
2.2 Solvency
- An Altman-Z score of 34.93 indicates that FAST is not in any danger for bankruptcy at the moment.
- FAST's Altman-Z score of 34.93 is amongst the best of the industry. FAST outperforms 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.
- Looking at the Debt to FCF ratio, with a value of 0.12, FAST belongs to the top of the industry, outperforming 95.74% 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 | 34.93 |
ROIC/WACC3.26
WACC8.91%
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.
- A Quick Ratio of 2.41 indicates that FAST has no problem at all paying its short term obligations.
- FAST has a Quick ratio of 2.41. This is amongst the best in the industry. FAST outperforms 87.23% of its industry peers.
| 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.
- 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.
- FAST is expected to show quite a strong growth in Revenue. In the coming years, the Revenue will grow by 9.79% yearly.
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.
- 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
- FAST is valuated quite expensively with a Price/Earnings ratio of 44.64.
- FAST's Price/Earnings is on the same level as the industry average.
- The average S&P500 Price/Earnings ratio is at 26.91. FAST is valued rather expensively when compared to this.
- The Price/Forward Earnings ratio is 39.48, which means the current valuation is very expensive for FAST.
- Compared to the rest of the industry, the Price/Forward Earnings ratio of FAST is on the same level as its industry peers.
- Compared to an average S&P500 Price/Forward Earnings ratio of 23.68, FAST is valued quite expensively.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PE | 44.64 | ||
| Fwd PE | 39.48 |
4.2 Price Multiples
- 70.21% of the companies in the same industry are cheaper than FAST, based on the Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio.
- FAST's Price/Free Cash Flow is on the same level as the industry average.
| Industry Rank | Sector Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| P/FCF | 53.67 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 30.64 |
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)3.41
PEG (5Y)5.51
EPS Next 2Y11.28%
EPS Next 3Y9.77%
5. FAST Dividend Analysis
5.1 Amount
- FAST has a Yearly Dividend Yield of 2.14%.
- FAST's Dividend Yield is rather good when compared to the industry average which is at 0.84. FAST pays more dividend than 89.36% of the companies in the same industry.
- Compared to an average S&P500 Dividend Yield of 1.89, FAST has a dividend comparable with the average S&P500 company.
| 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 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
- 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 2Y11.28%
EPS Next 3Y9.77%
FAST Fundamentals: All Metrics, Ratios and Statistics
49.1
+0.92 (+1.91%)
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%
Ins Owners0.04%
Ins Owner Change0.8%
Market Cap56.38B
Revenue(TTM)8.20B
Net Income(TTM)1.26B
Analysts58.26
Price Target46 (-6.31%)
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 | 44.64 | ||
| Fwd PE | 39.48 | ||
| P/S | 6.88 | ||
| P/FCF | 53.67 | ||
| P/OCF | 43.51 | ||
| P/B | 14.3 | ||
| P/tB | 14.3 | ||
| EV/EBITDA | 30.64 |
EPS(TTM)1.1
EY2.24%
EPS(NY)1.24
Fwd EY2.53%
FCF(TTM)0.91
FCFY1.86%
OCF(TTM)1.13
OCFY2.3%
SpS7.14
BVpS3.43
TBVpS3.43
PEG (NY)3.41
PEG (5Y)5.51
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 | 34.93 |
F-Score7
WACC8.91%
ROIC/WACC3.26
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%.