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

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

Company Profile

SymbolFASTSWK
Company NameFastenal CompanyStanley Black & Decker, Inc.
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorIndustrialsIndustrials
GICS IndustryTrading Companies & DistributorsMachinery
Market Capitalization56.48 billion USD11.76 billion USD
ExchangeNasdaqGSNYSE
Listing DateAugust 20, 1987March 17, 1980
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of FAST and SWK 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. SWK: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolFASTSWK
5-Day Price Return3.64%10.53%
13-Week Price Return22.78%4.76%
26-Week Price Return31.82%-11.56%
52-Week Price Return49.80%-18.30%
Month-to-Date Return6.68%12.31%
Year-to-Date Return36.88%-5.37%
10-Day Avg. Volume6.04M1.86M
3-Month Avg. Volume6.70M2.81M
3-Month Volatility18.95%47.04%
Beta0.961.20

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.

SWK

6.59%

Machinery Industry

Max
34.68%
Q3
19.06%
Median
13.13%
Q1
8.53%
Min
-4.87%

SWK’s Return on Equity of 6.59% is in the lower quartile for the Machinery industry. This indicates a less efficient generation of profit from its equity base when compared to its competitors.

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

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.

SWK

3.85%

Machinery Industry

Max
19.74%
Q3
11.24%
Median
8.13%
Q1
5.38%
Min
-1.11%

Falling into the lower quartile for the Machinery industry, SWK’s Net Profit Margin of 3.85% indicates weaker profitability. This means the company retains a smaller portion of each dollar in sales as profit compared to its competitors.

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

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.

SWK

4.70%

Machinery Industry

Max
26.63%
Q3
16.15%
Median
11.27%
Q1
7.72%
Min
-4.91%

SWK’s Operating Profit Margin of 4.70% is in the lower quartile for the Machinery industry. This indicates weaker profitability from core operations, which may stem from inefficiencies or competitive pressures on pricing.

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

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolFASTSWK
Return on Equity (TTM)32.33%6.59%
Return on Assets (TTM)24.62%2.63%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)15.30%3.85%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)20.10%4.70%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)45.06%30.03%

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.

SWK

1.04

Machinery Industry

Max
3.83
Q3
2.32
Median
1.72
Q1
1.28
Min
0.78

SWK’s Current Ratio of 1.04 falls into the lower quartile for the Machinery industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

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

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.

SWK

0.74

Machinery Industry

Max
1.49
Q3
0.75
Median
0.44
Q1
0.26
Min
0.00

SWK’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.74 is typical for the Machinery industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

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

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.

SWK

1.75

Machinery Industry

Max
67.55
Q3
33.79
Median
13.87
Q1
7.97
Min
-1.43

In the lower quartile for the Machinery industry, SWK’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.75 indicates a tighter cushion for servicing debt, suggesting less financial flexibility than many of its competitors.

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

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolFASTSWK
Current Ratio (MRQ)4.221.04
Quick Ratio (MRQ)2.100.29
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.060.74
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)794.741.75

Growth

Revenue Growth

FAST vs. SWK: 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. SWK: 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

1.69%

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.

SWK

7.51%

Machinery Industry

Max
5.32%
Q3
2.84%
Median
1.87%
Q1
1.09%
Min
0.00%

SWK’s Dividend Yield of 7.51% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Machinery 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. SWK: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Machinery industry benchmarks.

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.

SWK

148.38%

Machinery Industry

Max
202.17%
Q3
98.65%
Median
55.54%
Q1
29.03%
Min
0.00%

SWK’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 148.38% is in the upper quartile for the Machinery 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.

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

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolFASTSWK
Dividend Yield (TTM)1.69%7.51%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)79.54%148.38%

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.

SWK

19.77

Machinery Industry

Max
53.66
Q3
31.29
Median
22.00
Q1
16.18
Min
7.00

SWK’s P/E Ratio of 19.77 is within the middle range for the Machinery 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. SWK: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Machinery industry benchmarks.

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.

SWK

0.76

Machinery Industry

Max
5.04
Q3
2.72
Median
1.67
Q1
1.04
Min
0.24

In the lower quartile for the Machinery industry, SWK’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.

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

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.

SWK

1.16

Machinery Industry

Max
7.23
Q3
3.90
Median
2.52
Q1
1.47
Min
0.49

SWK’s P/B Ratio of 1.16 is in the lower quartile for the Machinery 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. SWK: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Trading Companies & Distributors and Machinery industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolFASTSWK
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)46.9919.77
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)7.190.76
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)12.661.16
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)63.806.97