FAST vs. MSM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FAST and MSM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | FAST | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Fastenal Company | MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Trading Companies & Distributors | Trading Companies & Distributors |
| Market Capitalization | 56.48 billion USD | 4.95 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | August 20, 1987 | December 15, 1995 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FAST and MSM 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 | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 3.64% | 3.29% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 22.78% | 12.69% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 31.82% | 10.05% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 49.80% | 12.16% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 6.68% | 2.55% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 36.88% | 18.93% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 6.04M | 0.37M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.70M | 0.58M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 18.95% | 26.36% |
| Beta | 0.96 | 0.91 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
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.
MSM
14.46%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 32.33%
- Q3
- 19.92%
- Median
- 14.05%
- Q1
- 11.46%
- Min
- 0.91%
MSM’s Return on Equity of 14.46% is on par with the norm for the Trading Companies & Distributors 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
- 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.
MSM
5.30%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 17.73%
- Q3
- 10.81%
- Median
- 6.13%
- Q1
- 4.33%
- Min
- 2.09%
MSM’s Net Profit Margin of 5.30% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
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.
MSM
8.23%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 25.50%
- Q3
- 15.13%
- Median
- 7.46%
- Q1
- 5.44%
- Min
- 3.55%
MSM’s Operating Profit Margin of 8.23% is around the midpoint for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 32.33% | 14.46% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 24.62% | 8.04% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.30% | 5.30% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.10% | 8.23% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 45.06% | 40.92% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
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.
MSM
1.92
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 2.82
- Q3
- 2.13
- Median
- 1.60
- Q1
- 1.43
- Min
- 0.46
MSM’s Current Ratio of 1.92 aligns with the median group of the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
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.
MSM
0.38
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, MSM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.38 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
- 5.75
- 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.
MSM
14.52
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 15.13
- Q3
- 7.93
- Median
- 5.75
- Q1
- 2.70
- Min
- -1.67
MSM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 14.52 is in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 4.22 | 1.92 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.10 | 0.75 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.06 | 0.38 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 794.74 | 14.52 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
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.
MSM
3.87%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.99%
- Q3
- 3.04%
- Median
- 1.94%
- Q1
- 1.22%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.87%, MSM offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
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.
MSM
95.14%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 95.14%
- Q3
- 62.08%
- Median
- 51.17%
- Q1
- 26.24%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 95.14% 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 | FAST | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.69% | 3.87% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 79.54% | 95.14% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
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.
MSM
24.56
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 48.55
- Q3
- 26.73
- Median
- 17.17
- Q1
- 10.78
- Min
- 1.62
MSM’s P/E Ratio of 24.56 is within the middle range for the Trading Companies & Distributors 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
7.19
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.
MSM
1.30
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.88
- Q3
- 2.56
- Median
- 1.02
- Q1
- 0.60
- Min
- 0.29
MSM’s P/S Ratio of 1.30 aligns with the market consensus for the Trading Companies & Distributors 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
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.
MSM
3.26
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 8.77
- Q3
- 4.33
- Median
- 2.00
- Q1
- 1.11
- Min
- 0.35
MSM’s P/B Ratio of 3.26 is within the conventional range for the Trading Companies & Distributors 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | MSM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 46.99 | 24.56 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 7.19 | 1.30 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 12.66 | 3.26 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 63.80 | 18.49 |