FAST vs. OC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FAST and OC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | FAST | OC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Fastenal Company | Owens Corning |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Trading Companies & Distributors | Building Products |
| Market Capitalization | 47.47 billion USD | 8.50 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | August 20, 1987 | November 1, 2006 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FAST and OC 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 | OC |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.12% | -15.77% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -13.57% | -27.20% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 5.35% | -20.73% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -0.48% | -44.85% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.49% | -18.80% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 15.02% | -39.31% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 6.69M | 1.82M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.47M | 1.08M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 24.48% | 36.96% |
| Beta | 0.90 | 1.37 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FAST
32.69%
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 32.69% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
OC
6.42%
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 46.90%
- Q3
- 27.60%
- Median
- 15.43%
- Q1
- 8.94%
- Min
- 0.77%
OC’s Return on Equity of 6.42% is in the lower quartile for the Building Products industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
FAST
15.34%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 16.11%
- Q3
- 9.48%
- Median
- 5.89%
- Q1
- 3.68%
- Min
- -1.09%
A Net Profit Margin of 15.34% 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.
OC
2.98%
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 19.42%
- Q3
- 13.74%
- Median
- 8.72%
- Q1
- 4.81%
- Min
- 0.46%
Falling into the lower quartile for the Building Products industry, OC’s Net Profit Margin of 2.98% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
FAST
20.21%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 26.26%
- Q3
- 14.59%
- Median
- 7.05%
- Q1
- 4.94%
- Min
- -8.06%
An Operating Profit Margin of 20.21% 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.
OC
10.56%
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 26.72%
- Q3
- 17.70%
- Median
- 12.14%
- Q1
- 9.54%
- Min
- 1.65%
OC’s Operating Profit Margin of 10.56% 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 | OC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 32.69% | 6.42% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 24.90% | 2.30% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.34% | 2.98% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.21% | 10.56% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 45.15% | 29.56% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FAST
4.26
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.32
- Q3
- 2.27
- Median
- 1.60
- Q1
- 1.41
- Min
- 0.26
FAST’s Current Ratio of 4.26 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.
OC
1.52
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 3.10
- Q3
- 2.06
- Median
- 1.60
- Q1
- 1.30
- Min
- 0.88
OC’s Current Ratio of 1.52 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
- 1.24
- 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 0.05 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
OC
1.07
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 1.64
- Q3
- 1.02
- Median
- 0.62
- Q1
- 0.20
- Min
- 0.00
OC’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Building Products industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.07. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
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.
OC
5.32
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 72.12
- Q3
- 34.39
- Median
- 23.97
- Q1
- 7.29
- Min
- 2.97
In the lower quartile for the Building Products industry, OC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.32 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | OC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 4.26 | 1.52 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.18 | 0.95 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.05 | 1.07 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 794.74 | 5.32 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FAST
2.08%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.25%
- Q3
- 2.95%
- Median
- 2.06%
- Q1
- 1.11%
- Min
- 0.00%
FAST’s Dividend Yield of 2.08% is consistent with its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
OC
2.62%
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 2.51%
- Q3
- 1.92%
- Median
- 1.30%
- Q1
- 0.78%
- Min
- 0.00%
OC’s Dividend Yield of 2.62% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Building Products industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
FAST
79.49%
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 79.49% 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.
OC
16.23%
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 157.36%
- Q3
- 76.90%
- Median
- 30.70%
- Q1
- 17.97%
- Min
- 0.00%
OC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 16.23% is in the lower quartile for the Building Products industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | OC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.08% | 2.62% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 79.49% | 16.23% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FAST
38.19
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 42.69
- Q3
- 25.21
- Median
- 16.99
- Q1
- 13.13
- Min
- 5.35
A P/E Ratio of 38.19 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.
OC
25.47
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 45.60
- Q3
- 30.36
- Median
- 21.97
- Q1
- 17.37
- Min
- 12.44
OC’s P/E Ratio of 25.47 is within the middle range for the Building Products 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
5.86
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 5.86, 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.
OC
0.76
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 5.90
- Q3
- 3.09
- Median
- 1.72
- Q1
- 1.07
- Min
- 0.37
In the lower quartile for the Building Products industry, OC’s P/S Ratio of 0.76 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
FAST
14.46
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 7.55
- Q3
- 4.63
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 1.30
- 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.
OC
2.27
Building Products Industry
- Max
- 10.99
- Q3
- 5.69
- Median
- 2.98
- Q1
- 1.80
- Min
- 0.66
OC’s P/B Ratio of 2.27 is within the conventional range for the Building Products 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 | OC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 38.19 | 25.47 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.86 | 0.76 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.46 | 2.27 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 48.53 | 7.27 |
