Fastenal (FAST) Stock Price, Fundamentals & Analysis

What FAST does

Fastenal (FAST) is a wholesale distributor of industrial and construction supplies, operating in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and internationally. The company sells fasteners—such as threaded fasteners, bolts, nuts, screws, studs, and washers—as well as miscellaneous supplies including pins, machinery keys, concrete anchors, wire ropes, and rivets. Its customers range from original equipment manufacturers and maintenance, repair, and operations teams to non-residential construction, farming, trucking, railroads, mining, oil exploration and refining, and government entities. Founded in 1967 and headquartered in Winona, Minnesota, Fastenal employs 22,230 people and is part of the S&P 500.

Key numbers explained

• 50.99 USD is the current share price, representing the cost to buy one share today.
• The trailing P/E ratio of 43.6 compares the share price to the last 12 months of earnings per share (1.17 USD); a higher P/E often reflects expectations of future growth.
• The forward P/E ratio of 36.3 uses expected future earnings, which can be lower than the trailing P/E if earnings are projected to grow.
• 1.92% is the dividend yield, the annual dividend income expressed as a percentage of the share price.
• The ex-dividend date of Jul 28, 2026 is the cutoff: buyers on or after this date do not receive the next dividend.
• 79% of earnings are paid out as dividends, indicating a high payout ratio relative to retained earnings.
• Beta of 0.71 suggests the stock tends to move less than the overall market, often interpreted as lower volatility.
• 14.7% revenue growth year over year on 8.75 mld. USD trailing revenue shows how quickly the top line is expanding.

Recent news

• An article titled "11 Dividend Stocks for a Rocky Market, From Investment Pros" highlights Fastenal among dividend-paying stocks considered for uncertain markets.
• A Zacks Upgrade for Fastenal (FAST) prompts the question of whether the stock is now pricey, reflecting analyst attention on its valuation.

What to watch

Investors tracking Fastenal often watch its revenue growth, margins, and dividend consistency, which are common indicators for industrial distribution companies. The price-to-book ratio of 14.38 and return on equity of 34.3% are used to assess how efficiently the company uses shareholder capital. Peer companies such as Veralto (VLTO), Fortive (FTV), Southwest Airlines (LUV), Nordson Corporation (NDSN), Illinois Tool Works (ITW), and Generac (GNRC) can provide context for comparing valuation and dividend metrics. Broader factors include industrial demand, raw material costs, and currency movements in its international markets.