AVY vs. FAST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AVY and FAST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | AVY | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Avery Dennison Corporation | Fastenal Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Containers & Packaging | Trading Companies & Distributors |
| Market Capitalization | 13.92 billion USD | 56.85 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | February 21, 1973 | August 20, 1987 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AVY and FAST by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | AVY | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.63% | 1.75% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -0.90% | 19.14% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -2.81% | 32.46% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -16.94% | 48.90% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 6.40% | 7.39% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -4.61% | 37.80% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.63M | 5.72M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.71M | 6.27M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 21.07% | 18.77% |
| Beta | 0.99 | 0.95 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
AVY
31.33%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 41.66%
- Q3
- 20.76%
- Median
- 14.35%
- Q1
- 6.55%
- Min
- 3.64%
In the upper quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry, AVY’s Return on Equity of 31.33% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
FAST
32.33%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 32.33%
- Q3
- 19.92%
- Median
- 14.05%
- Q1
- 11.46%
- Min
- 0.91%
In the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, FAST’s Return on Equity of 32.33% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
AVY
8.14%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 11.61%
- Q3
- 8.17%
- Median
- 4.91%
- Q1
- 4.20%
- Min
- 0.08%
AVY’s Net Profit Margin of 8.14% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Containers & Packaging industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
FAST
15.30%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 17.73%
- Q3
- 10.81%
- Median
- 6.13%
- Q1
- 4.33%
- Min
- 2.09%
A Net Profit Margin of 15.30% places FAST in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
AVY
10.81%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 22.03%
- Q3
- 13.17%
- Median
- 8.87%
- Q1
- 6.86%
- Min
- 0.07%
AVY’s Operating Profit Margin of 10.81% is around the midpoint for the Containers & Packaging industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
FAST
20.10%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 25.50%
- Q3
- 15.13%
- Median
- 7.46%
- Q1
- 5.44%
- Min
- 3.55%
An Operating Profit Margin of 20.10% places FAST in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AVY | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 31.33% | 32.33% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.42% | 24.62% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 8.14% | 15.30% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.81% | 20.10% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 28.57% | 45.06% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
AVY
1.04
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.13
- Q3
- 1.57
- Median
- 1.27
- Q1
- 1.13
- Min
- 0.58
AVY’s Current Ratio of 1.04 falls into the lower quartile for the Containers & Packaging industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
FAST
4.22
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 2.82
- Q3
- 2.13
- Median
- 1.60
- Q1
- 1.43
- Min
- 0.46
FAST’s Current Ratio of 4.22 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
AVY
1.61
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 4.50
- Q3
- 2.23
- Median
- 1.22
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.23
AVY’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.61 is typical for the Containers & Packaging industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
FAST
0.06
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.88
- Q3
- 1.18
- Median
- 0.74
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, FAST’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.06 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
AVY
7.97
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 13.16
- Q3
- 8.10
- Median
- 3.61
- Q1
- 2.94
- Min
- 1.06
AVY’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.97 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Containers & Packaging industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
FAST
794.74
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 15.13
- Q3
- 7.93
- Median
- 5.75
- Q1
- 2.70
- Min
- -1.67
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 794.74, FAST demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AVY | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.04 | 4.22 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.70 | 2.10 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.61 | 0.06 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.97 | 794.74 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
AVY
2.07%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 7.37%
- Q3
- 4.07%
- Median
- 3.33%
- Q1
- 1.72%
- Min
- 0.00%
AVY’s Dividend Yield of 2.07% is consistent with its peers in the Containers & Packaging industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
FAST
1.66%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.99%
- Q3
- 3.04%
- Median
- 1.94%
- Q1
- 1.22%
- Min
- 0.00%
FAST’s Dividend Yield of 1.66% is consistent with its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
AVY
39.97%
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 221.20%
- Q3
- 119.52%
- Median
- 58.05%
- Q1
- 28.91%
- Min
- 0.00%
AVY’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 39.97% is within the typical range for the Containers & Packaging industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
FAST
79.54%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 95.14%
- Q3
- 62.08%
- Median
- 51.17%
- Q1
- 26.24%
- Min
- 0.00%
FAST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 79.54% is in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AVY | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.07% | 1.66% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 39.97% | 79.54% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
AVY
19.34
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 35.98
- Q3
- 27.87
- Median
- 16.15
- Q1
- 14.38
- Min
- 8.20
AVY’s P/E Ratio of 19.34 is within the middle range for the Containers & Packaging industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
FAST
47.90
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 48.55
- Q3
- 26.73
- Median
- 17.17
- Q1
- 10.78
- Min
- 1.62
A P/E Ratio of 47.90 places FAST in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
AVY
1.57
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 2.91
- Q3
- 1.67
- Median
- 0.83
- Q1
- 0.64
- Min
- 0.30
AVY’s P/S Ratio of 1.57 aligns with the market consensus for the Containers & Packaging industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
FAST
7.33
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.88
- Q3
- 2.56
- Median
- 1.02
- Q1
- 0.60
- Min
- 0.29
With a P/S Ratio of 7.33, FAST trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
AVY
6.23
Containers & Packaging Industry
- Max
- 5.28
- Q3
- 3.30
- Median
- 2.35
- Q1
- 1.57
- Min
- 0.89
At 6.23, AVY’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Containers & Packaging industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
FAST
12.66
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 8.77
- Q3
- 4.33
- Median
- 2.00
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.35
At 12.66, FAST’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AVY | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 19.34 | 47.90 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 1.57 | 7.33 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.23 | 12.66 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 20.78 | 65.03 |