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Fastenal Company (FAST)
NASDAQ:FAST

Fastenal Company (FAST) AI Stock Analysis

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FAST

Fastenal Company

(NASDAQ:FAST)

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Outperform 72 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:72Outperform
Price Target:
$45.00
â–²(7.48% Upside)
Fastenal Company exhibits strong financial performance and positive earnings call sentiment, which are the most significant factors contributing to its score. However, technical indicators suggest potential bearish momentum, and the high P/E ratio indicates possible overvaluation. The strategic appointment of a new CFO is a positive development but does not significantly alter the overall assessment.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Consistent revenue growth indicates strong market demand and effective customer partnerships, supporting long-term business expansion.
Digital Sales Expansion
The growth in digital sales highlights Fastenal's successful adaptation to technological trends, enhancing operational efficiency and customer reach.
Strong Cash Flow Generation
Robust cash flow generation supports operational and strategic initiatives, ensuring financial flexibility and sustainability.
Negative Factors
Pricing Challenges
Pricing challenges due to tariff uncertainties may hinder revenue growth and margin expansion, impacting long-term profitability.
Potential Margin Squeeze
Rising costs and delayed pricing actions could lead to margin compression, affecting profitability and financial health.
SG&A Expense Growth
Rising SG&A expenses indicate cost management challenges, potentially impacting profit margins and operational efficiency.

Fastenal Company (FAST) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Fastenal Company Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionFastenal Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the wholesale distribution of industrial and construction supplies in the United States, Canada, Mexico, North America, and internationally. It offers fasteners, and related industrial and construction supplies under the Fastenal name. The company's fastener products include threaded fasteners, bolts, nuts, screws, studs, and related washers, which are used in manufactured products and construction projects, as well as in the maintenance and repair of machines. It also offers miscellaneous supplies and hardware, including pins, machinery keys, concrete anchors, metal framing systems, wire ropes, strut products, rivets, and related accessories. The company serves the manufacturing market comprising original equipment manufacturers; maintenance, repair, and operations; and non-residential construction market, which includes general, electrical, plumbing, sheet metal, and road contractors. It also serves farmers, truckers, railroads, mining companies, schools, and retail trades; and oil exploration, production, and refinement companies, as well as federal, state, and local governmental entities. The company distributes its products through a network of 3,209 in-market locations and 15 distribution centers. Fastenal Company was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Winona, Minnesota.
How the Company Makes MoneyFastenal generates revenue primarily through the sale of industrial and construction products, including fasteners, tools, and safety equipment. The company employs a direct sales model, leveraging its extensive branch network to reach customers across multiple sectors. Key revenue streams include regular sales transactions, inventory management services, and vending solutions that provide automatic replenishment of supplies. Additionally, Fastenal has established significant partnerships with manufacturers and suppliers, allowing it to offer a wide range of products and competitive pricing. The company's focus on value-added services, such as customized inventory solutions and supply chain management, further contributes to its earnings by encouraging long-term customer relationships and repeat business.

Fastenal Company Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Revenue By Geography
Revenue By Geography
Chart Insights
Data provided by:The Fly

Fastenal Company Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 13, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Jan 19, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflected a positive sentiment with significant revenue growth, margin expansion, and progress in digital and on-site sales. However, challenges remain in pricing and cost management, which could affect future profitability.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record-Breaking Revenue and Growth
In Q3 2025, Fastenal achieved net sales of $2.13 billion, marking an 11.7% increase over the previous year. This was the second consecutive quarter above the $2 billion mark, showcasing the effectiveness of their strategy and customer partnerships.
Significant Sales and Margin Expansion
The company reported a 12.6% increase in net income and a 12.3% rise in EPS. Operating margin expanded to 20.7%, with gross margin increasing to 45.3%, driven by fastener expansion and supplier initiatives.
Digital and On-Site Growth
Sales through FMI technology grew just shy of 18% year over year, with digital sales accounting for 61.3% of Q3 total sales. The company also saw strong growth in nontraditional markets, including healthcare, education, and government.
Strong Performance in National Accounts
National account sales were up double digits, with significant gains in customer penetration. Sites spending over $50,000 per month grew by 15.4%.
Negative Updates
Pricing Challenges and Uncertainty
Pricing contributed less to growth than anticipated, with a contribution of 2.5 percentage points, below the earlier forecast of 3% to 5%. The company cited delays and complexities in implementing pricing actions due to tariff uncertainties.
Potential for Margin Squeeze
Fourth quarter gross margin might face pressure due to rising costs and delayed pricing actions, potentially leading to a margin squeeze.
SG&A Expense Growth
SG&A grew at 11% year over year due to bonus resets and increased employee-related expenses, indicating cost management challenges.
Company Guidance
During the Fastenal Company 2025 Q3 earnings call, significant growth metrics were highlighted. The company achieved net sales of $2.13 billion, marking an 11.7% increase compared to Q3 of the previous year, with daily sales growth of 11.2% and year-to-date sales up 15.9%. Fastenal experienced double-digit growth in national account sales and saw substantial increases in active customer sites spending over $10,000 and $50,000 monthly, growing by 8.1% and 15.4%, respectively. The company maintained a gross margin of 45.3%, up 40 basis points year-over-year, and reported a net income increase of 12.6%, with earnings per share (EPS) rising by 12.3%. Despite challenges such as tariff impacts and sluggish market demand, Fastenal's strategic initiatives, including fastener expansion and digital integration, contributed to a 20.7% operating margin. The company's digital footprint also expanded, with technology-driven sales accounting for 61.3% of total sales.

Fastenal Company Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Fastenal Company demonstrates strong financial performance with consistent revenue growth and robust profitability margins. The balance sheet reflects a solid equity base and low leverage, while the cash flow statement indicates strong cash generation. Overall, the company is well-positioned financially with a stable and profitable business model.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Fastenal Company demonstrates strong financial performance with consistent revenue growth and robust profitability margins. The TTM data shows a revenue growth rate of 2.87%, supported by a solid gross profit margin of 45.15% and a net profit margin of 15.34%. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are also healthy at 20.26% and 22.50%, respectively, indicating efficient operational management. Overall, the income statement reflects a stable and profitable business model with positive growth trends.
Balance Sheet
80
Positive
The balance sheet of Fastenal Company is characterized by a strong equity position and manageable debt levels. The debt-to-equity ratio stands at 0.13, indicating low leverage and financial stability. The return on equity is impressive at 32.69%, showcasing effective use of shareholder funds to generate profits. The equity ratio of 76.10% further underscores the company's solid capital structure. Overall, the balance sheet reflects a stable financial position with low risk.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
Fastenal Company exhibits strong cash flow generation with a free cash flow growth rate of 10.17% in the TTM period. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 1.45, indicating efficient cash conversion. The free cash flow to net income ratio is 0.80, reflecting a healthy cash flow relative to profits. Overall, the cash flow statement highlights robust cash generation capabilities, supporting the company's operational and strategic initiatives.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue8.00B7.55B7.35B6.98B6.01B5.65B
Gross Profit3.61B3.40B3.35B3.22B2.78B2.57B
EBITDA1.80B1.69B1.71B1.63B1.39B1.30B
Net Income1.23B1.15B1.16B1.09B925.00M859.10M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets5.12B4.70B4.46B4.55B4.30B3.96B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments288.10M255.80M221.30M230.10M236.20M245.70M
Total Debt517.30M485.40M535.00M802.10M636.80M650.10M
Total Liabilities1.22B1.08B1.11B1.39B1.26B1.23B
Stockholders Equity3.89B3.62B3.35B3.16B3.04B2.73B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow965.00M946.80M1.26B767.20M613.50M933.70M
Operating Cash Flow1.21B1.17B1.43B941.00M770.10M1.10B
Investing Cash Flow-230.50M-214.50M-161.20M-163.00M-148.50M-281.70M
Financing Cash Flow-982.90M-913.70M-1.28B-774.90M-627.10M-754.40M

Fastenal Company Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Neutral
Last Price41.87
Price Trends
50DMA
41.56
Positive
100DMA
44.74
Negative
200DMA
42.62
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.16
Negative
RSI
54.24
Neutral
STOCH
70.36
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For FAST, the sentiment is Neutral. The current price of 41.87 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 40.83, above the 50-day MA of 41.56, and below the 200-day MA of 42.62, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.16 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 54.24 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 70.36 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Neutral sentiment for FAST.

Fastenal Company Risk Analysis

Fastenal Company disclosed 33 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Fastenal Company reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Fastenal Company Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
75
Outperform
$12.57B20.2713.06%0.72%5.28%1.97%
74
Outperform
$9.75B24.8622.10%0.71%4.03%5.93%
73
Outperform
$48.60B28.5348.98%0.87%4.83%-3.60%
72
Outperform
$48.61B39.7032.74%2.09%6.92%5.98%
69
Neutral
$18.01B22.3017.05%3.22%3.26%-25.41%
69
Neutral
$4.78B24.0514.34%3.97%-1.35%-22.24%
63
Neutral
$10.79B15.437.44%2.01%2.89%-14.66%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
FAST
Fastenal Company
41.87
5.63
15.54%
AIT
Applied Industrial Technologies
256.73
15.05
6.23%
GPC
Genuine Parts Company
128.06
17.01
15.32%
MSM
MSC Industrial
86.10
12.23
16.56%
GWW
WW Grainger
1,020.05
-51.90
-4.84%
WCC
Wesco International
250.39
76.84
44.28%

Fastenal Company Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Fastenal Appoints Max Tunnicliff as New CFO
Positive
Nov 3, 2025

On November 3, 2025, Fastenal Company announced the appointment of Max Tunnicliff as Chief Financial Officer and Senior Executive Vice President, effective November 10, 2025. Tunnicliff, who previously held senior financial roles at Beko Europe and Whirlpool Corporation, brings extensive global financial experience to Fastenal. This strategic appointment aims to strengthen Fastenal’s financial foundation and support its growth strategy. Concurrently, Sheryl A. Lisowski will continue as Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, and Treasurer, following her interim CFO role.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Dec 09, 2025