DE vs. FAST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at DE and FAST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | DE | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Deere & Company | Fastenal Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Machinery | Trading Companies & Distributors |
| Market Capitalization | 139.08 billion USD | 56.48 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | June 1, 1972 | August 20, 1987 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of DE 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 | DE | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.36% | 3.64% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 3.62% | 22.78% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 10.44% | 31.82% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 48.85% | 49.80% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.07% | 6.68% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 21.20% | 36.88% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.23M | 6.04M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.26M | 6.70M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 22.29% | 18.95% |
| Beta | 1.06 | 0.96 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
DE
24.40%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 34.68%
- Q3
- 19.06%
- Median
- 13.13%
- Q1
- 8.53%
- Min
- -4.87%
In the upper quartile for the Machinery industry, DE’s Return on Equity of 24.40% 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)
DE
12.40%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 19.74%
- Q3
- 11.24%
- Median
- 8.13%
- Q1
- 5.38%
- Min
- -1.11%
A Net Profit Margin of 12.40% places DE in the upper quartile for the Machinery industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
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)
DE
22.89%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 26.63%
- Q3
- 16.15%
- Median
- 11.27%
- Q1
- 7.72%
- Min
- -4.91%
An Operating Profit Margin of 22.89% places DE in the upper quartile for the Machinery industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
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 | DE | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 24.40% | 32.33% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.32% | 24.62% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 12.40% | 15.30% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 22.89% | 20.10% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 40.60% | 45.06% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
DE
0.94
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.32
- Median
- 1.72
- Q1
- 1.28
- Min
- 0.78
DE’s Current Ratio of 0.94 falls into the lower quartile for the Machinery 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)
DE
2.73
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 1.49
- Q3
- 0.75
- Median
- 0.44
- Q1
- 0.26
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 2.73, DE operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Machinery industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
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)
DE
3.69
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 67.55
- Q3
- 33.79
- Median
- 13.87
- Q1
- 7.97
- Min
- -1.43
In the lower quartile for the Machinery industry, DE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.69 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
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 | DE | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.94 | 4.22 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.72 | 2.10 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 2.73 | 0.06 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 3.69 | 794.74 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
DE
1.20%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 5.32%
- Q3
- 2.84%
- Median
- 1.87%
- Q1
- 1.09%
- Min
- 0.00%
DE’s Dividend Yield of 1.20% is consistent with its peers in the Machinery industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
FAST
1.69%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.99%
- Q3
- 3.04%
- Median
- 1.94%
- Q1
- 1.22%
- Min
- 0.00%
FAST’s Dividend Yield of 1.69% 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)
DE
29.23%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 202.17%
- Q3
- 98.65%
- Median
- 55.54%
- Q1
- 29.03%
- Min
- 0.00%
DE’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 29.23% is within the typical range for the Machinery 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 | DE | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.20% | 1.69% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 29.23% | 79.54% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
DE
24.38
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 53.66
- Q3
- 31.29
- Median
- 22.00
- Q1
- 16.18
- Min
- 7.00
DE’s P/E Ratio of 24.38 is within the middle range for the Machinery 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
46.99
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 48.55
- Q3
- 26.73
- Median
- 17.17
- Q1
- 10.78
- Min
- 1.62
A P/E Ratio of 46.99 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)
DE
3.02
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 5.04
- Q3
- 2.72
- Median
- 1.67
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.24
DE’s P/S Ratio of 3.02 is in the upper echelon for the Machinery 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
7.19
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 7.19, 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)
DE
5.14
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 7.23
- Q3
- 3.90
- Median
- 2.52
- Q1
- 1.47
- Min
- 0.49
DE’s P/B Ratio of 5.14 is in the upper tier for the Machinery industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
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 | DE | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 24.38 | 46.99 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 3.02 | 7.19 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 5.14 | 12.66 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 22.03 | 63.80 |