CRS vs. FAST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CRS and FAST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CRS | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Carpenter Technology Corporation | Fastenal Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Metals & Mining | Trading Companies & Distributors |
| Market Capitalization | 12.96 billion USD | 54.57 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 CRS 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 | CRS | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 5.26% | -1.29% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -6.08% | 9.56% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 56.08% | 21.89% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 62.53% | 35.86% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 5.86% | -3.04% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 53.16% | 32.27% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 0.82M | 5.35M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 0.97M | 6.03M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 39.21% | 20.83% |
| Beta | 1.32 | 0.91 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CRS
21.35%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 41.55%
- Q3
- 17.74%
- Median
- 9.00%
- Q1
- 1.65%
- Min
- -21.32%
In the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, CRS’s Return on Equity of 21.35% 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
- 32.99%
- Q3
- 19.66%
- Median
- 13.72%
- Q1
- 9.74%
- Min
- -0.34%
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)
CRS
13.07%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 43.69%
- Q3
- 19.12%
- Median
- 6.48%
- Q1
- 1.50%
- Min
- -20.21%
CRS’s Net Profit Margin of 13.07% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
FAST
15.30%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 16.11%
- Q3
- 9.48%
- Median
- 5.89%
- Q1
- 3.68%
- Min
- -1.09%
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)
CRS
18.14%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 71.84%
- Q3
- 32.31%
- Median
- 12.50%
- Q1
- 2.69%
- Min
- -23.81%
CRS’s Operating Profit Margin of 18.14% is around the midpoint for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
FAST
20.10%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 26.26%
- Q3
- 14.59%
- Median
- 7.05%
- Q1
- 4.94%
- Min
- -8.06%
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 | CRS | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 21.35% | 32.33% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 11.20% | 24.62% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 13.07% | 15.30% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.14% | 20.10% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 26.71% | 45.06% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CRS
3.65
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 5.27
- Q3
- 3.04
- Median
- 1.96
- Q1
- 1.42
- Min
- 0.13
CRS’s Current Ratio of 3.65 is in the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.
FAST
4.22
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.32
- Q3
- 2.27
- Median
- 1.60
- Q1
- 1.41
- Min
- 0.26
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)
CRS
0.37
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 1.10
- Q3
- 0.51
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.00
CRS’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.37 is typical for the Metals & Mining 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
- 1.93
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.79
- Q1
- 0.61
- Min
- 0.01
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)
CRS
13.14
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 51.62
- Q3
- 22.73
- Median
- 5.76
- Q1
- 0.82
- Min
- -21.72
CRS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 13.14 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Metals & Mining 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
- 5.67
- Q1
- 2.04
- 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 | CRS | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 3.65 | 4.22 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.01 | 2.10 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.37 | 0.06 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 13.14 | 794.74 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CRS
0.31%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 8.17%
- Q3
- 3.57%
- Median
- 1.25%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
CRS’s Dividend Yield of 0.31% is consistent with its peers in the Metals & Mining industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
FAST
1.73%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.25%
- Q3
- 2.95%
- Median
- 2.06%
- Q1
- 1.11%
- Min
- 0.00%
FAST’s Dividend Yield of 1.73% 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)
CRS
14.36%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 138.08%
- Q3
- 62.06%
- Median
- 33.17%
- Q1
- 10.41%
- Min
- 0.00%
CRS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 14.36% is within the typical range for the Metals & Mining industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
FAST
79.54%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 136.12%
- Q3
- 71.34%
- Median
- 47.49%
- Q1
- 22.56%
- 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 | CRS | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.31% | 1.73% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 14.36% | 79.54% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CRS
34.74
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 83.04
- Q3
- 41.69
- Median
- 20.30
- Q1
- 12.95
- Min
- 1.75
CRS’s P/E Ratio of 34.74 is within the middle range for the Metals & Mining 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
45.94
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 42.69
- Q3
- 25.21
- Median
- 16.99
- Q1
- 13.13
- Min
- 5.35
At 45.94, FAST’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CRS
4.54
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 9.28
- Q3
- 4.28
- Median
- 2.37
- Q1
- 0.86
- Min
- 0.16
CRS’s P/S Ratio of 4.54 is in the upper echelon for the Metals & Mining industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
FAST
7.03
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.90
- Q3
- 2.71
- Median
- 1.06
- Q1
- 0.70
- Min
- 0.30
With a P/S Ratio of 7.03, 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)
CRS
7.29
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 4.68
- Q3
- 2.45
- Median
- 1.55
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.34
At 7.29, CRS’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Metals & Mining 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
- 7.55
- Q3
- 4.63
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 1.30
- Min
- 0.31
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 | CRS | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 34.74 | 45.94 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.54 | 7.03 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 7.29 | 12.66 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 45.66 | 62.37 |