FAST vs. UPS: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FAST and UPS, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | FAST | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Fastenal Company | United Parcel Service, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Trading Companies & Distributors | Air Freight & Logistics |
| Market Capitalization | 45.82 billion USD | 80.31 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | August 20, 1987 | November 10, 1999 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FAST and UPS 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 | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -3.21% | -5.32% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -20.33% | 5.48% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -5.84% | -8.31% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -4.04% | -31.78% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -4.86% | -5.76% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 8.90% | -27.94% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 6.79M | 6.88M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.34M | 8.24M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 23.96% | 26.21% |
| Beta | 0.90 | 1.11 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
FAST
32.69%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 32.99%
- Q3
- 19.30%
- Median
- 12.90%
- Q1
- 9.19%
- Min
- -4.19%
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.
UPS
34.41%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 18.50%
- Q3
- 17.86%
- Median
- 11.99%
- Q1
- 7.72%
- Min
- 3.03%
UPS’s Return on Equity of 34.41% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Air Freight & Logistics industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
FAST
15.34%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 18.35%
- Q3
- 9.73%
- Median
- 6.00%
- Q1
- 3.53%
- Min
- -3.81%
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.
UPS
6.15%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 10.55%
- Q3
- 5.92%
- Median
- 4.17%
- Q1
- 2.52%
- Min
- 0.69%
A Net Profit Margin of 6.15% places UPS in the upper quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
FAST
20.21%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 25.07%
- Q3
- 13.61%
- Median
- 7.26%
- Q1
- 4.79%
- Min
- -7.51%
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.
UPS
9.18%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 11.33%
- Q3
- 8.95%
- Median
- 5.96%
- Q1
- 3.78%
- Min
- 1.22%
An Operating Profit Margin of 9.18% places UPS in the upper quartile for the Air Freight & Logistics industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 32.69% | 34.41% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 24.90% | 7.84% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.34% | 6.15% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.21% | 9.18% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 45.15% | 82.44% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
FAST
4.26
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.62
- Q3
- 2.33
- Median
- 1.57
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.27
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.
UPS
1.30
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 1.79
- Q3
- 1.36
- Median
- 1.15
- Q1
- 0.93
- Min
- 0.71
UPS’s Current Ratio of 1.30 aligns with the median group of the Air Freight & Logistics 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
- 1.19
- Median
- 0.78
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, FAST’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.05 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
UPS
1.57
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 1.57
- Q3
- 1.22
- Median
- 0.76
- Q1
- 0.35
- Min
- 0.00
UPS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Air Freight & Logistics industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.57. 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
- 5.62
- Q1
- 1.79
- 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.
UPS
9.59
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 49.07
- Q3
- 23.59
- Median
- 8.92
- Q1
- 6.34
- Min
- -0.60
UPS’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.59 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 4.26 | 1.30 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.18 | 1.30 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.05 | 1.57 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 794.74 | 9.59 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
FAST
2.13%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.11%
- Q3
- 2.73%
- Median
- 2.07%
- Q1
- 1.04%
- Min
- 0.00%
FAST’s Dividend Yield of 2.13% is consistent with its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
UPS
6.74%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 7.05%
- Q3
- 3.28%
- Median
- 2.07%
- Q1
- 0.51%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 6.74%, UPS offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Air Freight & Logistics industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
FAST
79.49%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 136.12%
- Q3
- 68.26%
- Median
- 48.45%
- Q1
- 22.66%
- 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.
UPS
98.06%
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 160.95%
- Q3
- 98.33%
- Median
- 59.97%
- Q1
- 12.62%
- Min
- 0.00%
UPS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 98.06% is within the typical range for the Air Freight & Logistics industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.13% | 6.74% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 79.49% | 98.06% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
FAST
37.26
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 37.92
- Q3
- 24.64
- Median
- 17.42
- Q1
- 14.27
- Min
- 5.07
A P/E Ratio of 37.26 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.
UPS
14.55
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 35.35
- Q3
- 24.81
- Median
- 17.35
- Q1
- 14.31
- Min
- 9.29
UPS’s P/E Ratio of 14.55 is within the middle range for the Air Freight & Logistics 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
5.72
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.94
- Q3
- 2.49
- Median
- 1.08
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- 0.30
With a P/S Ratio of 5.72, 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.
UPS
0.89
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 2.26
- Q3
- 1.51
- Median
- 0.65
- Q1
- 0.42
- Min
- 0.19
UPS’s P/S Ratio of 0.89 aligns with the market consensus for the Air Freight & Logistics 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
14.46
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 9.42
- Q3
- 4.66
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 1.34
- 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.
UPS
4.47
Air Freight & Logistics Industry
- Max
- 4.47
- Q3
- 3.13
- Median
- 2.01
- Q1
- 1.52
- Min
- 0.74
UPS’s P/B Ratio of 4.47 is in the upper tier for the Air Freight & Logistics 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 | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 37.26 | 14.55 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.72 | 0.89 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.46 | 4.47 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 47.36 | 15.48 |