Company Overview - Fastenal Company (FAST) is a Minnesota-based industrial supply and distribution company founded in 1967, valued at approximately $48.1 billion by market cap, and operates as a leading wholesale distributor of industrial and construction supplies [1] Earnings Expectations - Fastenal is expected to release its fourth-quarter results next month, with analysts predicting an adjusted EPS of $0.26, which represents a 13% increase from $0.23 reported in the same quarter last year [2] - For the current year, analysts expect Fastenal to deliver an EPS of $1.10, up 10% from $1 reported in 2024 [3] Stock Performance - Fastenal's stock prices have increased by 13.4% over the past 52 weeks, slightly trailing the S&P 500 Index's 15.4% gains and the Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund's 16.7% returns during the same period [4] Recent Developments - Fastenal shares climbed 1.1% on December 18 after entering into a sponsorship agreement with the Belfast Giants, marking its first sponsorship in the U.K.'s Elite Ice Hockey League [5] Analyst Ratings - Analysts maintain a consensus "Hold" rating for Fastenal, with 17 analysts covering the stock, including six "Strong Buys," eight "Holds," and three "Strong Sells." The mean price target of $45.92 implies an upswing potential of 8.5% from current market prices [6]