Fastenal Company (FAST)

Fastenal Co. stock has experienced several notable events in the past six months. In January 2025, shares surged by 7.2% to an all-time high after the company surpassed profit and sales estimates for the fourth quarter of 2024. In April 2025, Fastenal announced a two-for-one stock split and reported its first-quarter 2025 earnings, showing a 3.4% increase in net sales. By June 2025, the stock reached a 52-week high of $42.44, gaining 32.26% over the last year as of June 30, 2025.

Fastenal's demand is influenced by seasonality and macroeconomic cycles. December typically experiences a seasonal slowdown, but in 2024, daily sales beat normal sequential seasonality. The first quarter can be affected by seasonal influences and weather, impacting capital expenditures and overall performance. Sales growth is susceptible to broader macroeconomic cycles, commodity/energy price volatility, and competitive pressures. Profitability declined from Q1 2024 to Q4 2024, partly attributed to macroeconomic headwinds.

Fastenal Co. is a wholesale distributor of industrial and construction supplies, operating within the Industrials sector and the Industrial Distribution industry. The company's product offerings include fasteners and miscellaneous supplies such as threaded fasteners, bolts, nuts, screws, and safety supplies. Fastenal also offers value-added services and innovative supply chain solutions, including vending machines and on-site inventory management.

Headquartered in Winona, Minnesota, Fastenal has a significant global presence, operating across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and internationally, with a footprint in 24 countries. Fastenal serves its customers through approximately 1,760 branches, over 1,400 on-site locations, and 14 distribution centers. The company's international expansion began in 1994 with a branch in Canada and has since grown to nearly 600 locations outside the United States.

Fastenal has maintained a strong brand reputation within the industrial distribution sector and is consistently described as a stalwart with a robust market presence. The company has successfully built a strong brand within the industry, earning the trust of both small and large-scale contractors and industrial operators. Fastenal and RFK Racing celebrated 15 years of their NASCAR partnership, highlighting a long-standing and visible collaboration. The company's dedication to sustainability and eco-friendly operations aligns with increasing global environmental awareness.

Fastenal Co. has a diverse ownership structure. Institutional shareholders hold 41.16% of the company, Fastenal Co. insiders own 2.91%, and retail investors account for 55.93%. Major institutional owners include Vanguard Group Inc., BlackRock, Inc., and State Street Corp. The largest individual shareholder is Robert A. Kierlin, who holds 1.03% of the company's shares.