FAST vs. MAS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FAST and MAS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | FAST | MAS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Fastenal Company | Masco Corporation |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Trading Companies & Distributors | Building Products |
| Market Capitalization | 46.35 billion USD | 12.62 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 MAS 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 | MAS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -2.18% | -1.17% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -17.25% | -17.37% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 1.18% | -10.75% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -3.25% | -23.34% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -1.70% | -6.19% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 12.52% | -16.29% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 6.67M | 2.66M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.50M | 2.30M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 24.02% | 25.32% |
| Beta | 0.90 | 1.30 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FAST
32.69%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 32.99%
- Q3
- 19.30%
- Median
- 12.90%
- Q1
- 9.19%
- Min
- -4.19%
In the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, FAST’s Return on Equity of 32.69% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
MAS
279.76%
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 46.90%
- Q3
- 27.23%
- Median
- 14.24%
- Q1
- 8.89%
- Min
- -11.14%
MAS’s Return on Equity of 279.76% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Building Products industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
FAST
15.34%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 18.35%
- Q3
- 9.73%
- Median
- 6.00%
- Q1
- 3.53%
- Min
- -3.81%
A Net Profit Margin of 15.34% 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.
MAS
10.89%
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 19.69%
- Q3
- 13.95%
- Median
- 8.32%
- Q1
- 4.11%
- Min
- -8.61%
MAS’s Net Profit Margin of 10.89% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Building Products industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
FAST
20.21%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 25.07%
- Q3
- 13.61%
- Median
- 7.26%
- Q1
- 4.79%
- Min
- -7.51%
An Operating Profit Margin of 20.21% 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.
MAS
16.90%
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 26.30%
- Q3
- 17.93%
- Median
- 12.09%
- Q1
- 8.73%
- Min
- -3.72%
MAS’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.90% is around the midpoint for the Building Products industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | MAS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 32.69% | 279.76% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 24.90% | 15.96% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.34% | 10.89% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.21% | 16.90% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 45.15% | 35.66% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FAST
4.26
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.62
- Q3
- 2.33
- Median
- 1.57
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.27
FAST’s Current Ratio of 4.26 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.
MAS
1.88
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 2.78
- Q3
- 1.93
- Median
- 1.67
- Q1
- 1.31
- Min
- 0.93
MAS’s Current Ratio of 1.88 aligns with the median group of the Building Products industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
FAST
0.05
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.93
- Q3
- 1.19
- Median
- 0.78
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, FAST’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.05 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
MAS
14.33
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 1.75
- Q3
- 1.01
- Median
- 0.62
- Q1
- 0.16
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 14.33, MAS operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Building Products industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
FAST
794.74
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 15.13
- Q3
- 7.93
- Median
- 5.62
- Q1
- 1.79
- 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.
MAS
12.73
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 72.12
- Q3
- 34.39
- Median
- 23.97
- Q1
- 7.29
- Min
- -2.48
MAS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 12.73 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Building Products industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | MAS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 4.26 | 1.88 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.18 | 1.10 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.05 | 14.33 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 794.74 | 12.73 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FAST
2.10%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.11%
- Q3
- 2.73%
- Median
- 2.07%
- Q1
- 1.04%
- Min
- 0.00%
FAST’s Dividend Yield of 2.10% is consistent with its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
MAS
2.01%
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 3.92%
- Q3
- 2.12%
- Median
- 1.27%
- Q1
- 0.78%
- Min
- 0.00%
MAS’s Dividend Yield of 2.01% is consistent with its peers in the Building Products industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
FAST
79.49%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 136.12%
- Q3
- 68.26%
- Median
- 48.45%
- Q1
- 22.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
FAST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 79.49% 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.
MAS
30.90%
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 157.36%
- Q3
- 77.74%
- Median
- 29.96%
- Q1
- 18.92%
- Min
- 0.00%
MAS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 30.90% is within the typical range for the Building Products industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | MAS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.10% | 2.01% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 79.49% | 30.90% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FAST
37.92
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 37.92
- Q3
- 24.64
- Median
- 17.42
- Q1
- 14.27
- Min
- 5.07
A P/E Ratio of 37.92 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.
MAS
15.26
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 41.45
- Q3
- 26.91
- Median
- 22.23
- Q1
- 16.60
- Min
- 9.49
In the lower quartile for the Building Products industry, MAS’s P/E Ratio of 15.26 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
FAST
5.82
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.94
- Q3
- 2.49
- Median
- 1.08
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- 0.30
With a P/S Ratio of 5.82, 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.
MAS
1.66
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 5.11
- Q3
- 2.85
- Median
- 1.60
- Q1
- 0.96
- Min
- 0.34
MAS’s P/S Ratio of 1.66 aligns with the market consensus for the Building Products industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
FAST
14.46
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 9.42
- Q3
- 4.66
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 1.34
- Min
- 0.31
At 14.46, 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.
MAS
73.71
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 10.99
- Q3
- 5.57
- Median
- 2.89
- Q1
- 1.85
- Min
- 0.66
At 73.71, MAS’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Building Products 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 | FAST | MAS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 37.92 | 15.26 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.82 | 1.66 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.46 | 73.71 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 48.19 | 12.24 |