AXON vs. FAST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AXON and FAST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
AXON’s market capitalization stands at 61.93 billion USD, while FAST’s is 49.48 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
With betas of 1.28 for AXON and 0.97 for FAST, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | AXON | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Axon Enterprise, Inc. | Fastenal Company |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| Industry | Aerospace & Defense | Industrial - Distribution |
| CEO | Patrick W. Smith | Daniel L. Florness |
| Price | 795.48 USD | 43.13 USD |
| Market Cap | 61.93 billion USD | 49.48 billion USD |
| Beta | 1.28 | 0.97 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | June 19, 2001 | August 20, 1987 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AXON 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.
Profitability
Return on Equity
AXON
14.86%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 42.57%
- Q3
- 16.67%
- Median
- 8.39%
- Q1
- -0.77%
- Min
- -23.36%
AXON’s Return on Equity of 14.86% is on par with the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
FAST
31.99%
Industrial - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 31.99%
- Q3
- 26.73%
- Median
- 19.92%
- Q1
- 10.89%
- Min
- -9.35%
In the upper quartile for the Industrial - Distribution industry, FAST’s Return on Equity of 31.99% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Return on Invested Capital
AXON
0.68%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 23.42%
- Q3
- 8.86%
- Median
- 5.47%
- Q1
- -5.60%
- Min
- -22.46%
AXON’s Return on Invested Capital of 0.68% is in line with the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
FAST
27.06%
Industrial - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 30.61%
- Q3
- 16.52%
- Median
- 12.03%
- Q1
- 6.68%
- Min
- -1.11%
In the upper quartile for the Industrial - Distribution industry, FAST’s Return on Invested Capital of 27.06% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
Net Profit Margin
AXON
14.86%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.67%
- Q3
- 8.04%
- Median
- 4.95%
- Q1
- -5.07%
- Min
- -16.58%
A Net Profit Margin of 14.86% places AXON in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
FAST
15.13%
Industrial - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 11.08%
- Q3
- 7.38%
- Median
- 5.32%
- Q1
- 3.79%
- Min
- 0.06%
FAST’s Net Profit Margin of 15.13% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Industrial - Distribution industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin
AXON
1.50%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 22.01%
- Q3
- 11.49%
- Median
- 8.96%
- Q1
- 3.77%
- Min
- -4.96%
AXON’s Operating Profit Margin of 1.50% is in the lower quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.
FAST
19.89%
Industrial - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 15.31%
- Q3
- 10.56%
- Median
- 8.43%
- Q1
- 5.85%
- Min
- -0.91%
FAST’s Operating Profit Margin of 19.89% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Industrial - Distribution industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AXON | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 14.86% | 31.99% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.44% | 23.64% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 0.68% | 27.06% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.86% | 15.13% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 1.50% | 19.89% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 60.44% | 44.99% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AXON
2.83
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 5.13
- Q3
- 3.36
- Median
- 2.16
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.41
AXON’s Current Ratio of 2.83 aligns with the median group of the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
FAST
4.28
Industrial - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 3.57
- Q3
- 2.74
- Median
- 2.29
- Q1
- 1.94
- Min
- 1.33
FAST’s Current Ratio of 4.28 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Industrial - Distribution 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
AXON
0.80
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 1.20
- Q3
- 0.73
- Median
- 0.51
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.00
AXON’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Aerospace & Defense industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.80. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
FAST
0.13
Industrial - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 1.67
- Q3
- 1.26
- Median
- 0.77
- Q1
- 0.30
- Min
- 0.13
Falling into the lower quartile for the Industrial - Distribution industry, FAST’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.13 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
AXON
2.53
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 12.62
- Q3
- 7.38
- Median
- 2.95
- Q1
- 1.68
- Min
- -6.68
AXON’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 2.53 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Aerospace & Defense industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
FAST
216.24
Industrial - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 34.29
- Q3
- 28.91
- Median
- 12.63
- Q1
- 3.84
- Min
- -0.41
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 216.24, FAST demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Industrial - Distribution industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AXON | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 2.83 | 4.28 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 2.62 | 2.14 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.80 | 0.13 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.34 | 0.10 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 4.16 | 0.16 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 2.53 | 216.24 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AXON and FAST. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AXON
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 6.00%
- Q3
- 0.66%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AXON currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
FAST
2.88%
Industrial - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 3.95%
- Q3
- 2.10%
- Median
- 0.82%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.88%, FAST offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Industrial - Distribution industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AXON
0.00%
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 172.02%
- Q3
- 32.47%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AXON has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
FAST
79.61%
Industrial - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 88.24%
- Q3
- 56.62%
- Median
- 19.45%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
FAST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 79.61% is in the upper quartile for the Industrial - Distribution 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 | AXON | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 2.88% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 79.61% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AXON
184.79
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 75.34
- Q3
- 54.40
- Median
- 38.63
- Q1
- 26.10
- Min
- 16.44
At 184.79, AXON’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
FAST
42.96
Industrial - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 53.67
- Q3
- 39.13
- Median
- 26.86
- Q1
- 22.49
- Min
- 12.77
A P/E Ratio of 42.96 places FAST in the upper quartile for the Industrial - Distribution industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AXON
8.54
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 10.68
- Q3
- 5.36
- Median
- 2.31
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- 0.01
A Forward PEG Ratio of 8.54 places AXON in the upper quartile for the Aerospace & Defense industry. This suggests the stock is potentially expensive compared to its peers relative to its growth forecast, which may warrant caution.
FAST
5.01
Industrial - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 4.88
- Q3
- 3.36
- Median
- 2.85
- Q1
- 1.53
- Min
- 0.12
FAST’s Forward PEG Ratio of 5.01 is exceptionally high for the Industrial - Distribution industry. This suggests its stock price is very high relative to its expected earnings growth, signaling significant overvaluation risk.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AXON
27.81
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 19.34
- Q3
- 9.54
- Median
- 2.71
- Q1
- 1.59
- Min
- 0.35
With a P/S Ratio of 27.81, AXON trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Aerospace & Defense industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
FAST
6.50
Industrial - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 2.87
- Q3
- 2.21
- Median
- 1.42
- Q1
- 0.77
- Min
- 0.17
With a P/S Ratio of 6.50, FAST trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Industrial - Distribution industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AXON
23.93
Aerospace & Defense Industry
- Max
- 16.08
- Q3
- 8.12
- Median
- 4.12
- Q1
- 2.69
- Min
- 0.69
At 23.93, AXON’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Aerospace & Defense 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
13.41
Industrial - Distribution Industry
- Max
- 13.04
- Q3
- 7.19
- Median
- 3.64
- Q1
- 2.91
- Min
- 0.74
At 13.41, FAST’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Industrial - Distribution 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 | AXON | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 184.79 | 42.96 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 8.54 | 5.01 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 27.81 | 6.50 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 23.93 | 13.41 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 170.80 | 56.97 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 274.06 | 29.36 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 28.23 | 6.54 |