EFX vs. FAST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at EFX and FAST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | EFX | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Equifax Inc. | Fastenal Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Professional Services | Trading Companies & Distributors |
| Market Capitalization | 29.16 billion USD | 54.95 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | March 17, 1980 | August 20, 1987 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of EFX 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 | EFX | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -7.40% | -2.03% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -9.60% | 11.01% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -2.83% | 23.50% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -19.32% | 34.16% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -7.74% | -2.37% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -7.13% | 33.19% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.33M | 5.54M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.04M | 6.03M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 36.76% | 21.13% |
| Beta | 1.61 | 0.91 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
EFX
12.93%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 68.01%
- Q3
- 35.32%
- Median
- 21.92%
- Q1
- 11.67%
- Min
- -20.25%
EFX’s Return on Equity of 12.93% is on par with the norm for the Professional Services industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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)
EFX
10.95%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 31.75%
- Q3
- 15.50%
- Median
- 8.95%
- Q1
- 4.51%
- Min
- 0.35%
EFX’s Net Profit Margin of 10.95% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Professional Services 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)
EFX
18.52%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 30.62%
- Q3
- 19.06%
- Median
- 13.60%
- Q1
- 8.60%
- Min
- -2.18%
EFX’s Operating Profit Margin of 18.52% is around the midpoint for the Professional Services 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 | EFX | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 12.93% | 32.33% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 5.34% | 24.62% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 10.95% | 15.30% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 18.52% | 20.10% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 55.80% | 45.06% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
EFX
0.77
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.28
- Q3
- 1.75
- Median
- 1.34
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.47
EFX’s Current Ratio of 0.77 falls into the lower quartile for the Professional Services 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
- 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)
EFX
0.96
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 2.93
- Q3
- 1.45
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.45
- Min
- 0.00
EFX’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.96 is typical for the Professional Services 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)
EFX
4.54
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 39.45
- Q3
- 20.41
- Median
- 11.64
- Q1
- 5.46
- Min
- -1.21
In the lower quartile for the Professional Services industry, EFX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 4.54 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
- 5.67
- 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 | EFX | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.77 | 4.22 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.69 | 2.10 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.96 | 0.06 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 4.54 | 794.74 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
EFX
0.72%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 4.83%
- Q3
- 2.44%
- Median
- 1.52%
- Q1
- 0.52%
- Min
- 0.00%
EFX’s Dividend Yield of 0.72% is consistent with its peers in the Professional Services industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
FAST
1.71%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.25%
- Q3
- 2.95%
- Median
- 2.06%
- Q1
- 1.11%
- Min
- 0.00%
FAST’s Dividend Yield of 1.71% 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)
EFX
32.41%
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 128.51%
- Q3
- 69.03%
- Median
- 47.00%
- Q1
- 18.05%
- Min
- 0.00%
EFX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 32.41% is within the typical range for the Professional Services 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 | EFX | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.72% | 1.71% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 32.41% | 79.54% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
EFX
45.20
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 52.60
- Q3
- 33.83
- Median
- 24.95
- Q1
- 17.59
- Min
- 7.96
A P/E Ratio of 45.20 places EFX in the upper quartile for the Professional Services industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
FAST
46.54
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 42.69
- Q3
- 25.21
- Median
- 16.99
- Q1
- 13.13
- Min
- 5.35
At 46.54, 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)
EFX
4.95
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 8.27
- Q3
- 4.40
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 0.99
- Min
- 0.17
EFX’s P/S Ratio of 4.95 is in the upper echelon for the Professional Services 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
7.12
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 7.12, 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)
EFX
6.31
Professional Services Industry
- Max
- 18.75
- Q3
- 9.53
- Median
- 5.88
- Q1
- 2.95
- Min
- 0.59
EFX’s P/B Ratio of 6.31 is within the conventional range for the Professional Services industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
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 | EFX | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 45.20 | 46.54 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.95 | 7.12 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.31 | 12.66 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 31.53 | 63.19 |