Is FAST a good stock to buy?
Fastenal Company · end-of-day data as of Nov 13, 2026
- News
- MAs4 of 4
- MACD0.27
- Earnings in67d
- P/E44.5x
- RSI68
- Support-8.1%
- Off 52w high-1.9%
- Volume0.6x
- Bollingerupper half
- FCF yield+1.7%
- ConsensusHold · 19
- Trendsideways
- 52w range$39–$56
- ATR+2.3%
- Off ATH-1.9%
- InsidersNone in 90d
- PT$51.60 -6.5%
- P/E vs own+12.8%
- P/E vs sector+62.6%
- Sector▼ -11.7%
Updates with the 15-min delayed price. Not a forecast or investment advice.
Is Fastenal a good stock to buy?
Fastenal is strong on 2 of the 5 questions about the business. The price is high: 44.5 times its earnings, above its 3-year median of 38.5 (Nov 13, 2026). pretickt does not say whether to buy or sell.
- Demand steady
- Advantage some edge
- Economics very profitable
- Execution mixed
- Fragility sturdy
- Price expensive
FAST sales growth revenue growth
+6%a year, for the last 3 yearsFastenal's sales grew 6% a year for 3 years, to $8.2B in fiscal 2025.
FAST analysts' forecast revenue estimates
+14%the sales they expect next fiscal year, on the lastAnalysts expect Fastenal's sales to grow 14% to $9.38B in fiscal 2026 (12 analysts).
FAST return on capital ROIC
pretickt analysis42%earned before tax on the money invested in itFastenal earned 42% before tax on the capital invested in it in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026; Grainger 44%, Cummins 25%, TransDigm 21% and Ferguson Enterprises 21%.
FAST margin on each sale gross margin
45%left after making the productFastenal kept 45% of each sale after making the product in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026; its peers' median is 35%.
FAST margin after costs profit margin
21%of sales left after running the businessFastenal's operating margin was 21% in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026, against 21% in fiscal 2022.
FAST cash generated free cash flow
$1.05Bcash left after investing, last 12 monthsFastenal generated $1.05B of free cash flow in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026, less than its reported profit.
FAST earnings vs estimates
6 of 8quarters above the analysts' estimateFastenal beat the analysts' profit estimate in 6 of its last 8 quarters, the latest on Oct 14, 2026.
FAST insider selling
-$4.4Msold, net, by its executives in 12 monthsFastenal's executives and directors sold a net $4.4M of shares in the 12 months to Nov 13, 2026 ($4.48M sold, $80.04K bought).
FAST number of employees
+3%more people in a yearFastenal had 24,489 employees at the end of fiscal 2025, 3% more than a year before.
FAST CEO pay
$4.18Mfor fiscal 2025, 21% of it in stock and optionsFastenal paid its CEO $4.18M for fiscal 2025, 21% of it in stock and options.
FAST financial health Altman Z-score
32.7Altman Z-score, safe above 3Fastenal's Altman Z-score is 32.7 (Nov 13, 2026), above 3, where the safe zone starts.
FAST quality checks Piotroski score
5 of 9checks passedFastenal passes 5 of the 9 Piotroski checks in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026; it misses on cash against profit, the current ratio, new shares and gross margin.
FAST biggest customers
under 10%of sales from any one customerNo customer made 10% of Fastenal's sales in fiscal 2025.
FAST in past recessions
pretickt analysis-18%its sales in the worst oneFastenal's sales fell in 1 of the last 2 US recessions, by as much as 18% in fiscal 2009.
FAST price vs profit P/E ratio
44.5×a year's earningsFastenal's P/E ratio is 44.5 (Nov 13, 2026), above its 3-year median of 38.5.
FAST price vs peers
pretickt analysis44.5×a year's earnings, against its peersInvestors pay 44.5 times Fastenal's earnings (Nov 13, 2026), more than for TransDigm (34.3), Grainger (32.7), Ferguson Enterprises (24.1) or Cummins (18.9).
FAST analysts' target price target
-7%to their average targetAnalysts' average price target for Fastenal is $51.60, 7% below the Nov 13, 2026 close of $55.19.
FAST growth priced in fair value
pretickt analysis+22%a year, for ten years, to be worth the priceAt $55.19 a share, Fastenal's free cash flow must grow about 22% a year for ten years to be worth the price (Nov 13, 2026).
What is Fastenal's P/E ratio?
Fastenal's P/E ratio is 44.5 (Nov 13, 2026), above its 3-year median of 38.5. Investors pay 44.5 times Fastenal's earnings (Nov 13, 2026), more than for TransDigm (34.3), Grainger (32.7), Ferguson Enterprises (24.1) or Cummins (18.9).
Is Fastenal profitable?
Fastenal's operating margin was 21% in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026, against 21% in fiscal 2022. Fastenal generated $1.05B of free cash flow in the 12 months to Sep 30, 2026, less than its reported profit.
Are insiders selling Fastenal stock?
Fastenal's executives and directors sold a net $4.4M of shares in the 12 months to Nov 13, 2026 ($4.48M sold, $80.04K bought).
Who owns Fastenal stock?
1,509 institutions hold 89% of Fastenal's shares (Jun 30, 2026); Vanguard, BlackRock and State Street added shares that quarter.
How many employees does Fastenal have?
Fastenal had 24,489 employees at the end of fiscal 2025, 3% more than a year before.
Who are Fastenal's biggest customers?
No customer made 10% of Fastenal's sales in fiscal 2025.
From the companies' statements (FMP), their filings read by pretickt, the analysts and the insiders, as of Nov 13, 2026. Each card says what a fact means for its question, never what to do with the stock: for information only, not investment advice.