How Is Fastenal's Stock Performance Compared to Other Industrial Stocks?

Core Insights - Fastenal Company (FAST) has a market capitalization of $47.9 billion and operates as a global wholesale distributor of industrial and construction supplies, serving various markets including manufacturing, maintenance, construction, transportation, and government [1][2]. Stock Performance - FAST stock has decreased by 17.5% from its 52-week high of $50.63 and has fallen nearly 17% over the past three months, underperforming the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI), which gained 2.3% in the same period [3]. - Year-to-date, FAST stock is up 16.1%, slightly lagging behind XLI's 17.7% increase, and has risen 1.6% over the past 52 weeks compared to XLI's 8.7% return [4]. Recent Financial Results - On October 13, Fastenal reported weaker-than-expected Q3 2025 profit of $0.29 and revenue of $2.13 billion, leading to a 7.5% drop in shares. The company also indicated a slight margin squeeze in Q4 due to rising supply-chain costs and accelerated inventory deliveries ahead of tariffs [5]. Competitive Position - Despite the recent performance dip, FAST has outperformed its competitor W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW), which has seen a decline of 18.8% over the past 52 weeks and 8.1% year-to-date [5]. - Analysts maintain a cautious outlook on FAST, with a consensus rating of "Hold" from 17 analysts and a mean price target of $44.92, representing a 7.6% premium to current levels [6].