NASDAQ:FAST
Fastenal Company (FAST)
Financials 
Technical Analysis 
May 29, 2026, 12:00 amThis summary was created by AI, based on 1 opinions in the last 12 months.
Fastenal's recent third-quarter results fell slightly short of expectations, primarily due to increased operating costs and lower-than-expected pricing. Despite these challenges, the company continues to gain market share, which should support above-market growth, particularly in the face of a sluggish short-cycle industrial recovery. Fastenal's decision to delay product pricing for better customer relations resulted in a lesser contribution to the top line than anticipated. While the company noted positive share gains and gross margins in its quarterly performance, expectations for a decline in gross margin in the fourth quarter, along with persistently high costs, could pressure profitability. Despite concerns about its valuation at 38 times earnings, which might be seen as a drawback, analysts remain cautiously optimistic, suggesting that starting a position could be a viable strategy.
The sold it over the summer. They report next week, A quality business but economically sensitive to the industrial capex cycle. Not a bad company. He sold it to buy more 3M. A reason to sell is that we may not see the soft landing to the economy. It trades at 32x forward PE vs.17x PE in 3M, which runs a more diversified business.
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Premium contentPremium contentBrendan CaldwellPremium contentIf you want a case study for the anatomy of exceptional dividend growth, this would be the company. Back in 2005 they had a low payout ratio and were growing top and bottom lines, and then they increased the payout ratio. Their dividend in 2005 went to $0.16 a share, and then went to $1 per share in 2014, a 23% dividend growth per share in 10 years. The dividend is secure although it is growing at a slower rate.
Walter Gerasimowicz- «
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Fastenal Company (FAST) Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fastenal Company stock symbol?
Fastenal Company is a American stock, trading under the symbol FAST (previously FAST-Q on Stockchase) on the NASDAQ (FAST). It is usually referred to as NASDAQ:FAST or FAST
Is Fastenal Company a buy or a sell?
In the last year, 1 stock analyst published opinions about FAST (previously FAST-Q on Stockchase). 1 analyst recommended to BUY the stock. 0 analysts recommended to SELL the stock. The latest stock analyst recommendation is TOP PICK. Read the latest stock experts' ratings for Fastenal Company.
Is Fastenal Company a good investment or a top pick?
Fastenal Company was recommended as a Top Pick by Walter Gerasimowicz on 2008-11-21. Read the latest stock experts ratings for Fastenal Company.
Why is Fastenal Company stock dropping?
Earnings reports or recent company news can cause the stock price to drop. Read stock experts' recommendations for help on deciding if you should buy, sell or hold the stock.
Is Fastenal Company worth watching?
1 stock analyst on Stockchase covered Fastenal Company in the last year. It is a trending stock that is worth watching.
What is Fastenal Company stock price?
On 2026-05-29, Fastenal Company (FAST) stock closed at a price of $44.20.
Despite Fastenal's slightly weaker-than-expected 3Q results, market share gains should continue to drive above-market growth, even though signs of a short-cycle industrial recovery remain elusive. The 3Q earnings miss was primarily due to higher operating costs, reflecting a reset of the bonus program, and softer-than-anticipated pricing. Fastenal delayed product pricing by about 30 days to strengthen customer relations, which resulted in a 240-270-bp top-line contribution in 3Q, below management's 300-500-bp expectation. The company’s share gains and gross margin were positives in 3Q, though higher costs and less favorable pricing are likely to pressure near-term profitability. Guidance implies 4Q gross margin will decline about 70 bps sequentially to 44.6%, 40 bps below estimates. The sector has some economic sensitivity, but FAST is up 363% in the past ten years and one of the better names. It is not cheap at 38X earnings which would be our main objection. We would be OK with a starter buy position.
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