A Look Ahead: Fastenal's Earnings Forecast
Fastenal (NASDAQ:FAST) is set to give its latest quarterly earnings report on Tuesday, 2026-01-20. Here's what investors need to know before the announcement.
Analysts estimate that Fastenal will report an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.26.
Anticipation surrounds Fastenal's announcement, with investors hoping to hear about both surpassing estimates and receiving positive guidance for the next quarter.
New investors should understand that while earnings performance is important, market reactions are often driven by guidance.
Historical Earnings Performance
The company's EPS missed by $0.01 in the last quarter, leading to a 0.99% increase in the share price on the following day.
Here's a look at Fastenal's past performance and the resulting price change:
| Quarter | Q3 2025 | Q2 2025 | Q1 2025 | Q4 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPS Estimate | 0.30 | 0.28 | 0.26 | 0.24 |
| EPS Actual | 0.29 | 0.28 | 0.26 | 0.23 |
| Price Change % | 1.00 | 0.00 | 6.00 | 2.00 |
Stock Performance
Shares of Fastenal were trading at $43.53 as of January 15. Over the last 52-week period, shares are up 14.97%. Given that these returns are generally positive, long-term shareholders are likely bullish going into this earnings release.
Analyst Opinions on Fastenal
For investors, staying informed about market sentiments and expectations in the industry is paramount. This analysis provides an exploration of the latest insights on Fastenal.
Fastenal has received a total of 4 ratings from analysts, with the consensus rating as Underperform. With an average one-year price target of $44.25, the consensus suggests a potential 1.65% upside.
Comparing Ratings with Peers
The analysis below examines the analyst ratings and average 1-year price targets of Ferguson Enterprises, W.W. Grainger and United Rentals, three significant industry players, providing valuable insights into their relative performance expectations and market positioning.
- Analysts currently favor an Outperform trajectory for Ferguson Enterprises, with an average 1-year price target of $266.62, suggesting a potential 512.5% upside.
- Analysts currently favor an Neutral trajectory for W.W. Grainger, with an average 1-year price target of $1040.0, suggesting a potential 2289.16% upside.
- Analysts currently favor an Buy trajectory for United Rentals, with an average 1-year price target of $1032.57, suggesting a potential 2272.09% upside.
Insights: Peer Analysis
In the peer analysis summary, key metrics for Ferguson Enterprises, W.W. Grainger and United Rentals are highlighted, providing an understanding of their respective standings within the industry and offering insights into their market positions and comparative performance.
| Company | Consensus | Revenue Growth | Gross Profit | Return on Equity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fastenal | Underperform | 11.68% | $965.80M | 8.71% |
| Ferguson Enterprises | Outperform | 5.11% | $2.51B | 9.59% |
| W.W. Grainger | Neutral | 6.13% | $1.80B | 8.13% |
| United Rentals | Buy | 5.94% | $1.67B | 7.77% |
Key Takeaway:
Fastenal ranks at the bottom for Revenue Growth among its peers. It is also at the bottom for Gross Profit. However, it is in the middle for Return on Equity.
Discovering Fastenal: A Closer Look
Fastenal began as an industrial retailer, expanding its product portfolio from nuts and bolts to cutting tools, safety equipment, and janitorial supplies. It transitioned into a distributor by building out a dense network of branches close to its business customers. Once a customer becomes large enough, Fastenal installs vending machines and its own personnel on-site. Today, these on-site locations exceed Fastenal's branch count and remain the firm's main focus for expansion. Fastenal acts as a one-stop outsourcing partner for its industrial customers, offering value-added services along with a wide breadth of maintenance, repair, and operations supplies.
Financial Milestones: Fastenal's Journey
Market Capitalization: Positioned above industry average, the company's market capitalization underscores its superiority in size, indicative of a strong market presence.
Revenue Growth: Over the 3 months period, Fastenal showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 11.68% as of 30 September, 2025. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company surpassed expectations with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Industrials sector.
Net Margin: Fastenal's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 15.73%. This signifies efficient cost management and strong financial health.
Return on Equity (ROE): Fastenal's ROE excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 8.71%. This signifies robust financial management and efficient use of shareholder equity capital.
Return on Assets (ROA): Fastenal's ROA surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 6.62% ROA, the company effectively utilizes its assets for optimal returns.
Debt Management: Fastenal's debt-to-equity ratio is below the industry average at 0.13, reflecting a lower dependency on debt financing and a more conservative financial approach.
To track all earnings releases for Fastenal visit their earnings calendar on our site.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.