FAST vs. GGG: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FAST and GGG, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | FAST | GGG |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Fastenal Company | Graco Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Trading Companies & Distributors | Machinery |
| Market Capitalization | 55.89 billion USD | 14.01 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | August 20, 1987 | March 17, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FAST and GGG 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 | FAST | GGG |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -0.27% | 1.01% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 11.34% | -1.17% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 22.77% | 0.43% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 33.63% | -3.06% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -2.69% | -0.50% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 32.74% | 0.79% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 6.43M | 0.76M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.01M | 0.71M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 21.38% | 18.22% |
| Beta | 0.91 | 1.09 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
GGG
19.16%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 33.68%
- Q3
- 20.05%
- Median
- 12.37%
- Q1
- 8.67%
- Min
- -7.69%
GGG’s Return on Equity of 19.16% is on par with the norm for the Machinery industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
GGG
22.26%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 19.72%
- Q3
- 11.07%
- Median
- 7.62%
- Q1
- 5.05%
- Min
- -1.52%
GGG’s Net Profit Margin of 22.26% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Machinery industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
GGG
26.63%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 26.63%
- Q3
- 15.99%
- Median
- 11.27%
- Q1
- 7.72%
- Min
- -0.51%
An Operating Profit Margin of 26.63% places GGG 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | GGG |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 32.33% | 19.16% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 24.62% | 15.86% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.30% | 22.26% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.10% | 26.63% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 45.06% | 52.25% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
GGG
3.55
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 3.13
- Q3
- 2.12
- Median
- 1.72
- Q1
- 1.34
- Min
- 0.77
GGG’s Current Ratio of 3.55 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Machinery 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)
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.
GGG
0.01
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 1.56
- Q3
- 0.79
- Median
- 0.44
- Q1
- 0.27
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Machinery industry, GGG’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.01 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)
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.
GGG
209.37
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 81.58
- Q3
- 37.68
- Median
- 13.76
- Q1
- 7.97
- Min
- -1.43
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 209.37, GGG demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Machinery industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | GGG |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 4.22 | 3.55 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.10 | 2.52 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.06 | 0.01 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 794.74 | 209.37 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
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.
GGG
1.27%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 4.55%
- Q3
- 2.66%
- Median
- 1.90%
- Q1
- 1.23%
- Min
- 0.00%
GGG’s Dividend Yield of 1.27% is consistent with its peers in the Machinery industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
GGG
36.94%
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 198.34%
- Q3
- 101.42%
- Median
- 62.79%
- Q1
- 29.85%
- Min
- 0.00%
GGG’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 36.94% is within the typical range for the Machinery industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | GGG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.71% | 1.27% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 79.54% | 36.94% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FAST
46.40
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 42.69
- Q3
- 25.21
- Median
- 16.99
- Q1
- 13.13
- Min
- 5.35
At 46.40, 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.
GGG
28.98
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 47.95
- Q3
- 30.11
- Median
- 22.35
- Q1
- 16.56
- Min
- 6.48
GGG’s P/E Ratio of 28.98 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
FAST
7.10
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 7.10, 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.
GGG
6.45
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 4.97
- Q3
- 2.76
- Median
- 1.65
- Q1
- 1.04
- Min
- 0.04
With a P/S Ratio of 6.45, GGG trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Machinery industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
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.
GGG
5.76
Machinery Industry
- Max
- 7.29
- Q3
- 4.06
- Median
- 2.67
- Q1
- 1.54
- Min
- 0.52
GGG’s P/B Ratio of 5.76 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | GGG |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 46.40 | 28.98 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 7.10 | 6.45 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 12.66 | 5.76 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 63.00 | 22.99 |