Fastenal (FAST)
NASDAQIndustrialsIndustrial - DistributionSnapshot 2026-09-04
$49.60+0.75%
Close 2026-09-04 · 1-day change
NASDAQIndustrialsIndustrial - DistributionSnapshot 2026-09-04
QuarterlyIQ Insights · FAST
How strong the business is — where it ranks within its sector on capital efficiency and cash generation, and how well management has been executing.
How this business ranks within industrials on a research-validated quality screen. As of 2026-09-04.
The screen ranks FAST against its sector on four durable signals: share dilution, return on capital, free-cash-flow yield, and FCF margin. Historically the highest-quality names tended toward better typical outcomes and fewer bad years over multi-year holds (strongest at three years, modest at one), and that pattern showed up even before the price moved. It characterizes business quality, not price direction.
Each leg is a sector-relative percentile (higher is better); 4 of 4 legs were available for this name. The composite is built from these four; the raw value follows each percentile for context.
A forward quality tilt, not a price prediction, and context for your own research rather than a recommendation. Not investment advice.
How management runs the business: capital, margins, balance sheet, and how reliably they guide and deliver.
Each factor is a parallel diagnostic with a clear read of what it shows and how names like it have historically fared. Never aggregated into a single score.
Operating income rose in 2 of the last 3 quarter-over-quarter moves. Historically, Industrials names rated strong grew net income 67% of the time over the next year (vs 52% for the rest of the cohort, n=6958).
Not investment advice. Scores describe historical and current data; they are not forecasts of future returns. Consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.
A guidance track record builds as the company issues and delivers on guidance.
Priorities management has stated in recent disclosures, with status and evidence drawn from earnings calls, filings, and press releases.
Continue to grow sales by winning and expanding key customer accounts, focusing on contract customers with significant managed spend.
Stated as a priority in 6 of last 6 quarters. Net sales grew from $1.959B in 2025-Q1 to $2.387B in 2026-Q2 (+21.8%), driven by improved customer contract signings since early 2024. Contract sales increased as a percent of total sales from 73.2% to 75.8%. Management consistently emphasizes key account wins and the trajectory is delivering.
“Continued progress on strategic initiatives, including increased sales effectiveness through key account wins...”
“Continued progress on strategic initiatives, including increased sales effectiveness through key account wins...”
“Sales performance reflects the contribution from improved customer contract signings since the first quarter of 2024...”
“Performance reflects the contribution from improved customer contract signings since the first quarter of 2024...”
“Results largely reflect the contribution from improved customer contract signings over the past six quarters...”
“Results reflected contribution from improved customer contract signings over the past twelve months...”
Grow sales and operational efficiency by expanding digital technologies including FMI devices and eBusiness solutions.
Stated as a priority in 6 of last 6 quarters. Weighted FASTBin/FASTVend signings increased from 6,418 in 2025-Q1 to 6,993 in 2026-Q2 (+9%), and FMI sales grew from $928.5M to $1,063.6M (+14.5%). Management consistently highlights digital expansion and the trajectory is delivering.
Maintain disciplined capital expenditure guidance for 2026, targeting $310M to $330M investment in property and equipment.
Stated as a priority in 3 of last 3 quarters. CAPEX guidance for 2026 is maintained at $310M to $330M. Actual investment was $60.5M in 2026-Q2, consistent with quarterly pacing. Management has reiterated this guidance each quarter and the trajectory is consistent with stated expectations.
Continue to manage selling, general, and administrative expenses to leverage operating margin despite gross margin pressures.
Stated as a priority in 6 of last 6 quarters. Operating margin remained steady at 21.0% in 2026-Q2, matching 2025-Q2, as SG&A expenses improved to 23.5% of sales from 24.4%. Management consistently emphasizes cost discipline and SG&A leverage, and the financials show delivering on this priority.
“Operating margin was 21.0%, consistent year-over-year, as SG&A expense leverage fully offset gross margin headwinds.”
Drive growth by expanding technology offerings and increasing customer site presence.
Over the trailing year it converted 1.03x of net income into operating cash flow. Historically, Industrials names rated neutral grew net income 59% of the time over the next year (vs 53% for the rest of the cohort, n=6654).
Most sensitive to the broad stock market.
Not enough signal to read sensitivity to the US dollar, Fed net liquidity, real (inflation-adjusted) rates, long-term interest rates (low R² over the window).
12 material management or governance events in the past 24 months, led by executive changes. Historically, Industrials names rated neutral grew net income 58% of the time over the next year (vs 56% for the rest of the cohort, n=3431).
Not investment advice. As of 2026-09-04.
“Continued progress on strategic initiatives, including expansion of digital technologies...”
“Continued progress on strategic initiatives, including expansion of technology...”
“We signed 5,966 weighted FASTBin and FASTVend devices in 2025, consistent with our goal of 25,000 to 26,000 MEUs...”
“We signed 7,050 weighted FASTBin and FASTVend devices in the third quarter of 2025...”
“We signed 6,458 weighted FASTBin and FASTVend devices in the second quarter of 2025...”
“We signed 6,418 weighted FASTBin and FASTVend devices in the first quarter of 2025...”
“For 2026, we continue to expect our investment in property and equipment, net of proceeds from sales, to be between $310.0 and $330.0.”
“For 2026, we continue to expect our investment in property and equipment, net of proceeds from sales, to be within a range of $310.0 to $330.0.”
“For 2026, we expect our investment in property and equipment, net of proceeds from sales, to be within a range of $310.0 to $330.0.”
“Operating margin was 20.3%, reflecting operating leverage and cost discipline.”
“Operating income increased to 19.0% of net sales from 18.9%, reflecting cost management.”
“Operating income increased to 20.7% of net sales from 20.3%, reflecting cost discipline.”
“Operating income increased to 21.0% of net sales from 20.2%, reflecting SG&A leverage.”
“Operating income decreased slightly to 20.1% of net sales from 20.6%, impacted by fewer selling days.”