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FAST vs. ROP: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

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Here’s a clear look at FAST and ROP, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

SymbolFASTROP
Company NameFastenal CompanyRoper Technologies, Inc.
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorIndustrialsInformation Technology
GICS IndustryTrading Companies & DistributorsSoftware
Market Capitalization55.89 billion USD53.73 billion USD
ExchangeNasdaqGSNasdaqGS
Listing DateAugust 20, 1987February 13, 1992
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of FAST and ROP 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.

FAST vs. ROP: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolFASTROP
5-Day Price Return-0.27%-1.38%
13-Week Price Return11.34%-12.02%
26-Week Price Return22.77%-14.42%
52-Week Price Return33.63%-9.95%
Month-to-Date Return-2.69%-5.25%
Year-to-Date Return32.74%-4.07%
10-Day Avg. Volume6.43M0.87M
3-Month Avg. Volume6.01M0.68M
3-Month Volatility21.38%16.92%
Beta0.911.00

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.

ROP

8.08%

Software Industry

Max
66.28%
Q3
21.28%
Median
9.33%
Q1
-8.77%
Min
-48.16%

ROP’s Return on Equity of 8.08% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

FAST vs. ROP: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Software industry benchmarks.

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.

ROP

20.62%

Software Industry

Max
51.92%
Q3
19.23%
Median
6.98%
Q1
-7.14%
Min
-41.00%

A Net Profit Margin of 20.62% places ROP in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

FAST vs. ROP: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Software industry benchmarks.

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.

ROP

28.06%

Software Industry

Max
60.40%
Q3
21.25%
Median
9.90%
Q1
-4.97%
Min
-43.50%

An Operating Profit Margin of 28.06% places ROP in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

FAST vs. ROP: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Software industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolFASTROP
Return on Equity (TTM)32.33%8.08%
Return on Assets (TTM)24.62%4.83%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)15.30%20.62%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)20.10%28.06%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)45.06%68.87%

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.

ROP

0.46

Software Industry

Max
4.29
Q3
2.37
Median
1.40
Q1
1.03
Min
0.25

ROP’s Current Ratio of 0.46 falls into the lower quartile for the Software industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

FAST vs. ROP: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Software industry benchmarks.

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.

ROP

0.45

Software Industry

Max
2.16
Q3
0.86
Median
0.31
Q1
0.00
Min
0.00

ROP’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.45 is typical for the Software industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

FAST vs. ROP: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Software industry benchmarks.

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.

ROP

80.97

Software Industry

Max
89.65
Q3
32.64
Median
1.00
Q1
-9.84
Min
-71.23

ROP’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 80.97 is in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

FAST vs. ROP: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Software industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolFASTROP
Current Ratio (MRQ)4.220.46
Quick Ratio (MRQ)2.100.43
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.060.45
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)794.7480.97

Growth

Revenue Growth

FAST vs. ROP: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

FAST vs. ROP: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

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.

ROP

0.63%

Software Industry

Max
0.22%
Q3
0.11%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

ROP’s Dividend Yield of 0.63% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Software 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.

FAST vs. ROP: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Software industry benchmarks.

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.

ROP

21.99%

Software Industry

Max
3.29%
Q3
2.41%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

At 21.99%, ROP’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Software industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.

FAST vs. ROP: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Software industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolFASTROP
Dividend Yield (TTM)1.71%0.63%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)79.54%21.99%

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.

ROP

34.69

Software Industry

Max
145.74
Q3
94.88
Median
45.35
Q1
26.66
Min
8.80

ROP’s P/E Ratio of 34.69 is within the middle range for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

FAST vs. ROP: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Software industry benchmarks.

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.

ROP

7.15

Software Industry

Max
25.67
Q3
13.68
Median
8.28
Q1
4.95
Min
0.90

ROP’s P/S Ratio of 7.15 aligns with the market consensus for the Software industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

FAST vs. ROP: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Software industry benchmarks.

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.

ROP

3.10

Software Industry

Max
30.67
Q3
14.92
Median
8.52
Q1
3.89
Min
0.38

ROP’s P/B Ratio of 3.10 is in the lower quartile for the Software industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.

FAST vs. ROP: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Software industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolFASTROP
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)46.4034.69
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)7.107.15
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)12.663.10
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)63.0023.40