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Fastenal (FAST) Competitors

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$50.75 +0.26 (+0.51%)
Closing price 10/9/2026 04:00 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$50.94 +0.19 (+0.37%)
As of 10/9/2026 07:30 PM Eastern
Extended trading is trading that happens on electronic markets outside of regular trading hours. This is a fair market value extended hours price provided by Massive. Learn more.

FAST vs. BLDR, GGG, GWW, HD, and ITW

Should you buy Fastenal stock or one of its competitors? Fastenal's main competitors and comparable companies include Builders FirstSource (BLDR), Graco (GGG), W.W. Grainger (GWW), Home Depot (HD), and Illinois Tool Works (ITW). Companies are selected based on similarities in market, industry, and size.

How does Fastenal compare to Builders FirstSource?

Fastenal (NASDAQ:FAST) and Builders FirstSource (NYSE:BLDR) are both industrials companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, risk, analyst recommendations, earnings, profitability, media sentiment, institutional ownership and valuation.

Fastenal presently has a consensus price target of $49.50, indicating a potential downside of 2.46%. Builders FirstSource has a consensus price target of $84.50, indicating a potential upside of 59.72%. Given Builders FirstSource's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Builders FirstSource is more favorable than Fastenal.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Fastenal
2 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.31
Builders FirstSource
3 Sell rating(s)
13 Hold rating(s)
9 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.24

In the previous week, Fastenal had 4 more articles in the media than Builders FirstSource. MarketBeat recorded 12 mentions for Fastenal and 8 mentions for Builders FirstSource. Fastenal's average media sentiment score of 0.60 beat Builders FirstSource's score of 0.13 indicating that Fastenal is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Fastenal
6 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Builders FirstSource
0 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral

Fastenal has a beta of 0.69, suggesting that its stock price is 31% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Builders FirstSource has a beta of 1.45, suggesting that its stock price is 45% more volatile than the broader market.

Fastenal has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Builders FirstSource. Fastenal is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Builders FirstSource, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Fastenal$8.20B7.10$1.26B$1.1843.01
Builders FirstSource$14.45B0.39$435.20M$0.9158.14

Fastenal has a net margin of 15.45% compared to Builders FirstSource's net margin of 0.71%. Fastenal's return on equity of 34.03% beat Builders FirstSource's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Fastenal15.45% 34.03% 26.16%
Builders FirstSource 0.71%11.73%4.32%

81.4% of Fastenal shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 95.5% of Builders FirstSource shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.3% of Fastenal shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.7% of Builders FirstSource shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Summary

Fastenal beats Builders FirstSource on 9 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Fastenal compare to Graco?

Fastenal (NASDAQ:FAST) and Graco (NYSE:GGG) are both large-cap industrials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, media sentiment, valuation, earnings, analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership and risk.

Fastenal has a beta of 0.69, indicating that its stock price is 31% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Graco has a beta of 0.89, indicating that its stock price is 11% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, Graco had 5 more articles in the media than Fastenal. MarketBeat recorded 17 mentions for Graco and 12 mentions for Fastenal. Graco's average media sentiment score of 0.62 beat Fastenal's score of 0.60 indicating that Graco is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Fastenal
6 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Graco
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Fastenal currently has a consensus target price of $49.50, indicating a potential downside of 2.46%. Graco has a consensus target price of $95.00, indicating a potential upside of 21.45%. Given Graco's higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Graco is more favorable than Fastenal.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Fastenal
2 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.31
Graco
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.29

Fastenal pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. Graco pays an annual dividend of $1.18 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.5%. Fastenal pays out 88.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Graco pays out 37.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Fastenal has increased its dividend for 26 consecutive years and Graco has increased its dividend for 29 consecutive years.

Fastenal has higher revenue and earnings than Graco. Graco is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Fastenal, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Fastenal$8.20B7.10$1.26B$1.1843.01
Graco$2.27B5.59$521.84M$3.1824.60

81.4% of Fastenal shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 93.9% of Graco shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.3% of Fastenal shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 2.2% of Graco shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Graco has a net margin of 23.53% compared to Fastenal's net margin of 15.45%. Fastenal's return on equity of 34.03% beat Graco's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Fastenal15.45% 34.03% 26.16%
Graco 23.53%19.54%15.86%

Summary

Graco beats Fastenal on 10 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Fastenal compare to W.W. Grainger?

W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW) and Fastenal (NASDAQ:FAST) are both large-cap industrials companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, media sentiment, profitability, risk, analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership and valuation.

W.W. Grainger has a beta of 1.01, meaning that its stock price is 1% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Fastenal has a beta of 0.69, meaning that its stock price is 31% less volatile than the broader market.

W.W. Grainger pays an annual dividend of $9.96 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.8%. Fastenal pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. W.W. Grainger pays out 25.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Fastenal pays out 88.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. W.W. Grainger has increased its dividend for 55 consecutive years and Fastenal has increased its dividend for 26 consecutive years.

80.7% of W.W. Grainger shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 81.4% of Fastenal shares are held by institutional investors. 6.3% of W.W. Grainger shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Fastenal shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Fastenal has a net margin of 15.45% compared to W.W. Grainger's net margin of 9.92%. W.W. Grainger's return on equity of 48.73% beat Fastenal's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
W.W. Grainger9.92% 48.73% 22.40%
Fastenal 15.45%34.03%26.16%

W.W. Grainger has higher revenue and earnings than Fastenal. W.W. Grainger is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Fastenal, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
W.W. Grainger$17.94B3.39$1.71B$39.2232.90
Fastenal$8.20B7.10$1.26B$1.1843.01

W.W. Grainger presently has a consensus target price of $1,285.00, indicating a potential downside of 0.40%. Fastenal has a consensus target price of $49.50, indicating a potential downside of 2.46%. Given W.W. Grainger's higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe W.W. Grainger is more favorable than Fastenal.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
W.W. Grainger
1 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
2 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.10
Fastenal
2 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.31

In the previous week, Fastenal had 6 more articles in the media than W.W. Grainger. MarketBeat recorded 12 mentions for Fastenal and 6 mentions for W.W. Grainger. W.W. Grainger's average media sentiment score of 0.79 beat Fastenal's score of 0.60 indicating that W.W. Grainger is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
W.W. Grainger
1 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Fastenal
6 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

W.W. Grainger beats Fastenal on 10 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Fastenal compare to Home Depot?

Fastenal (NASDAQ:FAST) and Home Depot (NYSE:HD) are related large-cap companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their media sentiment, valuation, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, dividends, risk and institutional ownership.

Fastenal pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. Home Depot pays an annual dividend of $9.32 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.2%. Fastenal pays out 88.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Home Depot pays out 65.2% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Fastenal has increased its dividend for 26 consecutive years and Home Depot has increased its dividend for 16 consecutive years. Home Depot is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Fastenal has a net margin of 15.45% compared to Home Depot's net margin of 8.41%. Home Depot's return on equity of 106.42% beat Fastenal's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Fastenal15.45% 34.03% 26.16%
Home Depot 8.41%106.42%13.76%

81.4% of Fastenal shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 70.9% of Home Depot shares are held by institutional investors. 0.3% of Fastenal shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.1% of Home Depot shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Fastenal has a beta of 0.69, indicating that its stock price is 31% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Home Depot has a beta of 1, indicating that its stock price has a similar volatility profile to the broader market.

Home Depot has higher revenue and earnings than Fastenal. Home Depot is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Fastenal, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Fastenal$8.20B7.10$1.26B$1.1843.01
Home Depot$164.68B1.76$14.16B$14.2920.35

In the previous week, Home Depot had 21 more articles in the media than Fastenal. MarketBeat recorded 33 mentions for Home Depot and 12 mentions for Fastenal. Home Depot's average media sentiment score of 0.88 beat Fastenal's score of 0.60 indicating that Home Depot is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Fastenal
6 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Home Depot
14 Very Positive mention(s)
6 Positive mention(s)
7 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
1 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Fastenal presently has a consensus target price of $49.50, indicating a potential downside of 2.46%. Home Depot has a consensus target price of $375.93, indicating a potential upside of 29.28%. Given Home Depot's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Home Depot is more favorable than Fastenal.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Fastenal
2 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.31
Home Depot
1 Sell rating(s)
13 Hold rating(s)
18 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.58

Summary

Home Depot beats Fastenal on 13 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Fastenal compare to Illinois Tool Works?

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW) and Fastenal (NASDAQ:FAST) are both large-cap industrials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, risk, profitability, media sentiment, valuation and dividends.

79.8% of Illinois Tool Works shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 81.4% of Fastenal shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.8% of Illinois Tool Works shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Fastenal shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Illinois Tool Works has higher revenue and earnings than Fastenal. Illinois Tool Works is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Fastenal, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Illinois Tool Works$16.04B4.69$3.07B$11.0323.93
Fastenal$8.20B7.10$1.26B$1.1843.01

Illinois Tool Works pays an annual dividend of $6.88 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.6%. Fastenal pays an annual dividend of $1.04 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. Illinois Tool Works pays out 62.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Fastenal pays out 88.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Illinois Tool Works has raised its dividend for 55 consecutive years and Fastenal has raised its dividend for 26 consecutive years. Illinois Tool Works is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Illinois Tool Works has a beta of 0.96, meaning that its stock price is 4% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Fastenal has a beta of 0.69, meaning that its stock price is 31% less volatile than the broader market.

Illinois Tool Works presently has a consensus target price of $273.42, indicating a potential upside of 3.59%. Fastenal has a consensus target price of $49.50, indicating a potential downside of 2.46%. Given Illinois Tool Works' higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Illinois Tool Works is more favorable than Fastenal.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Illinois Tool Works
5 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
1.69
Fastenal
2 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.31

Illinois Tool Works has a net margin of 19.39% compared to Fastenal's net margin of 15.45%. Illinois Tool Works' return on equity of 101.72% beat Fastenal's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Illinois Tool Works19.39% 101.72% 19.64%
Fastenal 15.45%34.03%26.16%

In the previous week, Illinois Tool Works and Illinois Tool Works both had 12 articles in the media. Fastenal's average media sentiment score of 0.60 beat Illinois Tool Works' score of 0.33 indicating that Fastenal is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Illinois Tool Works
2 Very Positive mention(s)
2 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
3 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Fastenal
6 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Summary

Illinois Tool Works beats Fastenal on 11 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding FAST and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NASDAQ and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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FAST vs. The Competition

MetricFastenalTrading Companies & Distributors IndustryIndustrials SectorNASDAQ Exchange
Market Cap$58.24B$9.50B$10.14B$13.21B
Dividend Yield2.09%3.42%96.64%16.37%
P/E Ratio43.0143.3026.6926.16
Price / Sales6.6622.98274.13107.44
Price / Cash40.3349.5423.8553.09
Price / Book14.803.764.776.33
Net Income$1.26B$381.69M$616.42M$382.15M
7 Day PerformanceN/A-1.46%-1.12%-1.40%
1 Month Performance3.55%0.80%-2.20%-3.47%
1 Year Performance10.86%10.83%3.18%1.19%

Fastenal Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
FAST
Fastenal
3.0371 of 5 stars
$50.75
+0.5%
$49.50
-2.5%
+8.6%$58.24B$8.75B43.0124,489
BLDR
Builders FirstSource
3.4285 of 5 stars
$58.05
-1.9%
$87.27
+50.3%
-58.6%$6.37B$15.19B63.7928,000
GGG
Graco
4.8655 of 5 stars
$78.28
+0.5%
$95.00
+21.4%
-4.3%$12.61B$2.24B24.624,400
GWW
W.W. Grainger
3.128 of 5 stars
$1,255.48
+1.0%
$1,285.00
+2.4%
+33.4%$58.55B$17.94B32.0125,000
HD
Home Depot
4.9027 of 5 stars
$289.81
-1.2%
$375.18
+29.5%
-23.0%$292.52B$164.68B20.28472,400

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This page (NASDAQ:FAST) was last updated on 10/10/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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