📊 FAST Key Takeaways
Is FAST a Good Investment? Thesis Analysis
Fastenal demonstrates exceptional financial health with industry-leading profitability metrics, robust revenue growth of 8.7% YoY, and exceptional cash generation capabilities. The company's fortress balance sheet, combined with superior returns on equity (31.9%) and assets (24.9%), positions it as a fundamentally sound business with significant operational leverage and financial flexibility.
Why Buy FAST? Key Strengths
- Outstanding profitability with 45% gross margin and 15.3% net margin, indicating pricing power and operational efficiency
- Exceptional return metrics (ROE 31.9%, ROA 24.9%) demonstrate superior capital allocation and business quality
- Fortress balance sheet with minimal leverage (0.03x debt/equity), exceptional liquidity (4.85x current ratio), and 1.1B in annual free cash flow
- Consistent revenue and earnings growth (8.7% and 9.4% YoY respectively) with strong FCF generation at 12.8% margin
- Interest coverage of 827.9x reflects minimal financial risk and substantial debt servicing capacity
FAST Investment Risks to Consider
- Exposed to macroeconomic cycles affecting construction and industrial sectors; economic slowdown could pressure demand
- High insider trading activity (23 Form 4 filings in 90 days) warrants monitoring for potential signaling concerns
- Capital intensity of retail distribution model limits scalability; significant ongoing capex requirements
Key Metrics to Watch
- Revenue growth rate sustainability and comparable store/segment performance
- Gross margin trends amid potential input cost inflation or pricing pressure
- Free cash flow conversion and capital deployment efficiency (share buybacks, debt reduction, acquisitions)
- Return on equity maintenance as equity base grows from retained earnings
FAST Financial Metrics
💡 AI Analyst Insight
Strong liquidity with a 4.85x current ratio provides a solid financial cushion.
FAST Profitability Ratios
FAST vs Consumer Sector
How FASTENAL CO compares to Consumer sector averages
Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.
Is FAST Overvalued or Undervalued?
Based on fundamental analysis, FASTENAL CO appears fundamentally strong relative to the Consumer sector in 2026.
Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.
FAST Balance Sheet & Liquidity
FAST 5-Year Financial Trend & Growth Analysis
5-Year Trend Summary: FASTENAL CO's revenue has grown significantly by 36% over the 5-year period, indicating strong business expansion. The most recent EPS of $1.01 reflects profitable operations.
FAST Growth Metrics (YoY)
FAST Quarterly Performance
| Quarter | Revenue | Net Income | EPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 2025 | $1.9B | $298.1M | $0.26 |
| Q2 2025 | $1.9B | $292.7M | $0.25 |
| Q1 2025 | $1.9B | $297.7M | $0.52 |
| Q3 2024 | $1.8B | $295.5M | $0.52 |
| Q2 2024 | $1.9B | $292.7M | $0.51 |
| Q1 2024 | $1.9B | $295.1M | $0.52 |
| Q3 2023 | $1.8B | $284.6M | $0.50 |
| Q2 2023 | $1.8B | $287.1M | $0.50 |
Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.
FAST Capital Allocation
FAST SEC 10-K & 10-Q Filing Analysis
Access official SEC EDGAR filings for FASTENAL CO (CIK: 0000815556)
📋 Recent SEC Filings
❓ Frequently Asked Questions about FAST
What is the AI rating for FAST?
FASTENAL CO (FAST) has an AI rating of STRONG BUY with 92% confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.
What are FAST's key strengths?
Claude: Outstanding profitability with 45% gross margin and 15.3% net margin, indicating pricing power and operational efficiency. Exceptional return metrics (ROE 31.9%, ROA 24.9%) demonstrate superior capital allocation and business quality.
What are the risks of investing in FAST?
Claude: Exposed to macroeconomic cycles affecting construction and industrial sectors; economic slowdown could pressure demand. High insider trading activity (23 Form 4 filings in 90 days) warrants monitoring for potential signaling concerns.
What is FAST's revenue and growth?
FASTENAL CO reported revenue of $8.2B.
Does FAST pay dividends?
FASTENAL CO pays dividends, with $1,004.2M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.
Where can I find FAST SEC filings?
Official SEC filings for FASTENAL CO (CIK: 0000815556) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.
What is FAST's EPS?
FASTENAL CO has a diluted EPS of $1.09.
How is the AI analysis conducted?
Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.
Is FAST a good stock to buy right now?
Based on our AI fundamental analysis in March 2026, FASTENAL CO has a STRONG BUY rating with 92% confidence. The AI analysis suggests favorable fundamentals based on SEC filings. This is not investment advice.
Is FAST stock overvalued or undervalued?
Valuation metrics for FAST: ROE of 31.9% (sector avg: 18%), net margin of 15.3% (sector avg: 8%). Higher ROE suggests strong returns relative to peers.
Should I buy FAST stock in 2026?
Our dual AI analysis gives FASTENAL CO a combined STRONG BUY rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability above sector average. Always conduct your own research.
What is FAST's free cash flow?
FASTENAL CO's operating cash flow is $1.3B, with capital expenditures of $245.3M. FCF margin is 12.8%.
How does FAST compare to other Consumer stocks?
Vs Consumer sector averages: Net margin 15.3% (avg: 8%), ROE 31.9% (avg: 18%), current ratio 4.85 (avg: 1.5).