Barclays Reviews Fastenal (FAST) as Lower Pricing Weighs on Results

Core Insights - Fastenal Company (NASDAQ:FAST) is recognized as one of the Dividend Growth Stocks: 25 Aristocrats [1] - Barclays has lowered its price target for Fastenal to $43 from $44, maintaining an Equal Weight rating due to volume growth being driven by lower pricing, which negatively impacts overall performance [2] Financial Performance - Fastenal reported fourth-quarter revenue of $2.03 billion, slightly below the expected $2.04 billion [3][4] - Earnings per share for the quarter were 26 cents, matching analyst estimates [4] - The company anticipates increased capital expenditures, projecting investments of $310 million to $330 million in 2026, up from $230.6 million in 2025 [4] Market Dynamics - Higher tariffs have led to increased prices, which have softened demand for some products [3] - Strong sales to contract customers were noted, but overall business activity was weaker, with gains in transportation and data center markets offset by reduced demand from resellers [3]