Fastenal Company (NASDAQ:FAST) will release earnings results for the third quarter, before the opening bell on Monday, Oct. 13.Analysts expect the Winona, Minnesota-based company to report quarterly earnings at 30 cents per share, up from 26 cents per share in the year-ago period. Fastenal projects quarterly revenue of $2.13 billion, compared to $1.91 billion a year earlier, according to data from Benzinga Pro.On July 14, Fastenal reported better-than-expected second-quarter earnings.Shares of Fastenal fell ...

Core Insights - The near-term outlook for the Zacks Industrial Services industry is positive, driven by increased e-commerce activity and a rise in the production index [1][4][5] - Companies are focusing on strategic pricing, cost-reduction initiatives, and enhancing productivity to improve margins [1][6] Industry Overview - The Zacks Industrial Services industry includes companies providing industrial equipment and MRO services, serving diverse sectors such as commercial, government, healthcare, and manufacturing [3] - The industry helps reduce MRO supply-chain costs and enhances productivity through inventory management and procurement solutions [3] Trends Impacting the Industry - E-commerce is a significant growth driver, with rising demand for tailored solutions and efficient online business operations [4] - The production index has shown signs of recovery, entering expansion territory at 51% after a contraction in August [5] Financial Performance - The Zacks Industrial Services industry has outperformed its sector with a growth of 6.5% over the past year, compared to the sector's 5.1% increase [10] - The industry is currently trading at a forward 12-month EV/EBITDA ratio of 36.39X, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 18.64X and the Industrial Products sector's 19.85X [13] Company Highlights - **ScanSource (SCSC)**: Recently announced a partnership with Zoom Communications, focusing on operational execution and cost-saving efforts, with shares appreciating 44.8% in the past six months [19][20] - **Fastenal (FAST)**: Benefiting from daily sales growth and digital sales strategies, with a 13.5% increase in eBusiness sales in Q2 2025, shares up 29.5% in six months [24] - **MSC Industrial (MSM)**: Expects fiscal Q4 results to be in the upper half of its guidance range, with shares gaining 29.2% in the past six months [27]

Investment Strategy - The podcast focuses on identifying big-cap stocks outside the "MAG 7" (Magnificent Seven) for portfolio diversification [1][2] - The analysis suggests waiting for potential price weakness in fundamentally sound companies before investing [17][50] - The podcast emphasizes the importance of a diversified portfolio, highlighting that investment opportunities extend beyond AI stocks [55][56] Berkshire Hathaway (BRK B) - Berkshire Hathaway's stock has underperformed the S&P 500, with a 9% increase over the last year compared to the S&P 500's 155% gain [9] - Berkshire Hathaway's forward PE ratio is 246%, considered expensive for the company, and the PEG ratio is 35% [10][11] - Berkshire Hathaway has a substantial cash hoard of $350 billion, leading to questions about its deployment [15] - Berkshire Hathaway's price to book ratio is relatively attractive at 16% [48] Fastenal (FAST) - Fastenal's shares are up 37% over the last year, outperforming the S&P 500's 155% gain [21] - Fastenal's PE ratio is 4398%, and the PEG ratio is 444%, both considered high [25][26] - Fastenal's price to sales ratio is 72, indicating a high valuation [26] - Analysts are becoming more bullish on Fastenal, with expectations of 11% earnings growth this year and 107% next year [23] Costco (COST) - Costco's shares are up only 44% over the last year, which is disappointing compared to its historical performance [31] - Costco's PE ratio is 46, and the PEG ratio is 55, indicating a relatively high valuation [42] - Costco's price to sales ratio is 148, which is considered relatively cheap [43] - Costco is expected to have 105% earnings growth this fiscal year and another 10% next fiscal year, with 78% sales growth for both years [40]

Group 1 - The ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL) experienced a gain of 3.01% in August, indicating a positive performance for Dividend Aristocrats during that month [1] - The article highlights the author's background in analytics and accounting, emphasizing over 10 years of experience in the investment arena, which adds credibility to the insights shared [1] Group 2 - The author holds long positions in several companies including ADP, FAST, HRL, JNJ, O, PEP, SHW, and WST, indicating a personal investment interest in these stocks [2] - The article does not provide specific investment recommendations or advice, maintaining a neutral stance on the suitability of investments for individual investors [3]

Company Overview - Fastenal Company operates approximately 1,600 branch locations across 25 countries, providing a wide range of fasteners, safety products, metal cutting products, and other industrial supplies to various sectors including manufacturing, construction, and government [2][3]. - The company employs a "high-touch, high-tech" approach, focusing on local expertise, customer-facing technology, and efficient supply chain management to help customers reduce costs and risks [2]. Recent Developments - Fastenal has announced a conference call scheduled for October 13, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. central time to review its third quarter earnings and current operations [1]. - The company has launched a new high-tech distribution center in Magna, Utah, covering 298,000 square feet, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and customer service in the region [4].

Core Insights - Fastenal Company, based in Winona, Minnesota, is a major player in the wholesale distribution of industrial and construction supplies, with a market capitalization of approximately $54.6 billion [1] Earnings Expectations - Fastenal is expected to release its third-quarter results on October 13, with analysts predicting an adjusted EPS of $0.30, reflecting a 15.4% increase from $0.26 in the same quarter last year [2] - For the full fiscal year 2025, analysts forecast an EPS of $1.11, an 11% increase from $1 in 2024, and a further growth to $1.23 in fiscal 2026, representing a 10.8% year-over-year increase [3] Stock Performance - Fastenal's stock has increased by 35.3% over the past 52 weeks, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's 15.4% gains and the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund's 12.9% returns during the same period [4] - Following the release of better-than-expected Q2 results, Fastenal's stock gained 4.2%, with Q2 topline revenue rising 8.6% year-over-year to $2.1 billion, exceeding expectations by 88 basis points [5] Analyst Ratings - The consensus rating for Fastenal is "Hold," with 16 analysts covering the stock, including four "Strong Buys," 11 "Holds," and one "Strong Sell" [6] - The stock is currently trading slightly above its mean price target of $46.40 [6]

Core Insights - Mairs & Power Balanced Fund experienced a challenging start to Q2 2025 due to tariff uncertainties, Middle East conflicts, rising national debt, and a poor dollar performance, but managed to recover and rise 25% by the end of the quarter [1] - The fund returned 2.66% in the first half of 2025, underperforming against benchmark indexes which rose 5.43% and the Morningstar Moderate Allocation peer group which increased by 5.67% [1] Company Performance - Fastenal Company (NASDAQ:FAST) reported a one-month return of -4.40% but saw a significant 35.74% increase in value over the last 52 weeks, closing at $47.99 per share with a market capitalization of $55.075 billion on September 23, 2025 [2] - The fund's overweight position in the Industrials sector contributed positively in the first half of 2025, but poor stock selection led to an overall negative impact [3] - Toro (TTC), another significant holding, reported slowing revenue growth and lowered guidance, negatively affecting its stock price, while Fastenal's growth indicated market share gains despite similar market weaknesses [3] Hedge Fund Interest - Fastenal Company (NASDAQ:FAST) was held by 42 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q2 2025, an increase from 39 in the previous quarter, indicating growing interest among institutional investors [4]

Core Insights - Fastenal Company (NASDAQ: FAST) has a strong history of raising dividends while providing a market-beating yield, making it an attractive investment option for dividend growth investors [1] - The company has successfully increased dividends through multiple recessionary periods, indicating a robust business model capable of withstanding economic downturns [1] Investment Focus - The analysis emphasizes investing in companies with a long history of dividend growth, which are seen as resilient during economic challenges [1] - The article lists various sectors and companies that the analyst is long on, including Energy (CVX), Finance (JPM), Industrials (LMT), and Technology (MSFT), among others [1]

Core Insights - The excitement surrounding forward stock splits in high-profile companies has significantly contributed to the S&P 500's performance in 2025, alongside the trend of artificial intelligence [1][2] Group 1: Stock Split Dynamics - A stock split allows companies to adjust their share price and outstanding share count without affecting market capitalization or operating performance [2] - Investors typically favor companies that announce forward splits, as these are perceived to make shares more affordable for retail investors [4] - Companies completing forward splits often demonstrate superior innovation and execution compared to their competitors [4] Group 2: Company Performances - O'Reilly Automotive has seen a 36% year-to-date increase, driven by a 15-for-1 forward split and strong demand for auto parts due to the aging vehicle population [5][6][7] - Fastenal's shares are up 32% year-to-date, benefiting from its corporate culture of frequent stock splits and strong ties to contract sales, which account for over 73% of its net revenue [11][14] - Interactive Brokers Group has outperformed with a 44% year-to-date increase, supported by a favorable stock market environment and significant investments in technology that enhance customer offerings [17][18][19][20]

Company Overview - Fastenal Company, based in Winona, Minnesota, specializes in the wholesale distribution of industrial and construction supplies both in North America and internationally [1] - The company has a market capitalization of approximately $55 billion, categorizing it as a large-cap stock, which reflects its substantial size and influence in the industrial distribution sector [2] Stock Performance - Fastenal's stock reached an all-time high of $50.63 on August 25 and is currently trading 5.3% below that peak [3] - Over the past three months, FAST stock has increased by 12.3%, outperforming the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund's (XLI) 5% increase during the same period [3] - Year-to-date, FAST stock has surged 33.4%, and over the past 52 weeks, it has risen by 39.7%, significantly outpacing XLI's gains of 14.9% and 18.2%, respectively [4] Financial Results - Following the release of better-than-expected Q2 results on July 14, Fastenal's stock prices gained 4.2% [5] - The company's revenue for the quarter increased by 8.6% year-over-year to $2.1 billion, exceeding market expectations by 88 basis points [5] - Fastenal's earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter rose by 12.7% year-over-year to $0.29, surpassing consensus estimates by 3.6% [5] Competitive Position - Fastenal has outperformed its peer W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW), which experienced a 5.7% decline year-to-date and a 1.7% increase over the past 52 weeks [6] - Among 16 analysts covering FAST stock, the consensus rating is a "Hold," with the stock trading slightly above the mean price target of $46.40 [6]