FAST vs. STN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FAST and STN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | FAST | STN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Fastenal Company | Stantec Inc. |
| Country | United States | Canada |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Trading Companies & Distributors | Construction & Engineering |
| Market Capitalization | 56.85 billion USD | 12.15 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | August 20, 1987 | August 5, 2005 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FAST and STN 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 | STN |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.75% | -0.40% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 19.14% | 5.18% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 32.46% | 35.70% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 48.90% | 32.54% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 7.39% | -1.66% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 37.80% | 32.06% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 5.72M | 0.34M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.27M | 0.27M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 18.77% | 15.63% |
| Beta | 0.95 | 0.98 |
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.
STN
15.34%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 29.61%
- Q3
- 17.18%
- Median
- 10.42%
- Q1
- 8.10%
- Min
- -0.10%
STN’s Return on Equity of 15.34% is on par with the norm for the Construction & Engineering 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.
STN
7.10%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 11.14%
- Q3
- 6.17%
- Median
- 3.85%
- Q1
- 2.40%
- Min
- -0.05%
A Net Profit Margin of 7.10% places STN in the upper quartile for the Construction & Engineering industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
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.
STN
9.22%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 17.56%
- Q3
- 9.36%
- Median
- 5.46%
- Q1
- 3.47%
- Min
- -1.93%
STN’s Operating Profit Margin of 9.22% is around the midpoint for the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | STN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 32.33% | 15.34% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 24.62% | 6.37% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.30% | 7.10% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.10% | 9.22% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 45.06% | 54.44% |
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.
STN
1.29
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 1.98
- Q3
- 1.53
- Median
- 1.24
- Q1
- 1.05
- Min
- 0.66
STN’s Current Ratio of 1.29 aligns with the median group of the Construction & Engineering 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.
STN
0.69
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 2.49
- Q3
- 1.19
- Median
- 0.63
- Q1
- 0.29
- Min
- 0.00
STN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.69 is typical for the Construction & Engineering industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
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.
STN
60.60
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 23.59
- Q3
- 14.49
- Median
- 8.20
- Q1
- 5.26
- Min
- -6.49
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 60.60, STN demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Construction & Engineering industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | STN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 4.22 | 1.29 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.10 | 1.26 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.06 | 0.69 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 794.74 | 60.60 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FAST
1.66%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.99%
- Q3
- 3.04%
- Median
- 1.94%
- Q1
- 1.22%
- Min
- 0.00%
FAST’s Dividend Yield of 1.66% is consistent with its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
STN
0.57%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 6.28%
- Q3
- 3.25%
- Median
- 2.02%
- Q1
- 0.23%
- Min
- 0.00%
STN’s Dividend Yield of 0.57% is consistent with its peers in the Construction & Engineering industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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.
STN
22.30%
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 139.17%
- Q3
- 69.47%
- Median
- 40.99%
- Q1
- 10.51%
- Min
- 0.00%
STN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 22.30% is within the typical range for the Construction & Engineering industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | STN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.66% | 0.57% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 79.54% | 22.30% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FAST
47.90
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 48.55
- Q3
- 26.73
- Median
- 17.17
- Q1
- 10.78
- Min
- 1.62
A P/E Ratio of 47.90 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.
STN
38.90
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 36.96
- Q3
- 24.81
- Median
- 15.45
- Q1
- 12.51
- Min
- 2.74
At 38.90, STN’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Construction & Engineering industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
FAST
7.33
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 7.33, 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.
STN
2.76
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 3.22
- Q3
- 1.63
- Median
- 0.61
- Q1
- 0.48
- Min
- 0.11
STN’s P/S Ratio of 2.76 is in the upper echelon for the Construction & Engineering industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
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.
STN
4.38
Construction & Engineering Industry
- Max
- 5.74
- Q3
- 3.33
- Median
- 1.49
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.23
STN’s P/B Ratio of 4.38 is in the upper tier for the Construction & Engineering 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 | STN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 47.90 | 38.90 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 7.33 | 2.76 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 12.66 | 4.38 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 65.03 | 27.08 |