FAST vs. URI: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at FAST and URI, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | FAST | URI |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Fastenal Company | United Rentals, Inc. |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Trading Companies & Distributors | Trading Companies & Distributors |
| Market Capitalization | 47.47 billion USD | 54.37 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NYSE |
| Listing Date | August 20, 1987 | December 18, 1997 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of FAST and URI 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 | URI |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.12% | 0.21% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -13.57% | -1.74% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 5.35% | 31.11% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -0.48% | -0.92% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.49% | -1.91% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 15.02% | 21.31% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 6.69M | 0.58M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 6.47M | 0.55M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 24.48% | 30.33% |
| Beta | 0.90 | 1.69 |
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.
URI
28.55%
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, URI’s Return on Equity of 28.55% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
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.
URI
15.83%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 16.11%
- Q3
- 9.48%
- Median
- 5.89%
- Q1
- 3.68%
- Min
- -1.09%
A Net Profit Margin of 15.83% places URI in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors 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
- 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.
URI
25.07%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 26.26%
- Q3
- 14.59%
- Median
- 7.05%
- Q1
- 4.94%
- Min
- -8.06%
An Operating Profit Margin of 25.07% places URI 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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | URI |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 32.69% | 28.55% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 24.90% | 8.76% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.34% | 15.83% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.21% | 25.07% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 45.15% | 38.73% |
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.
URI
0.90
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.32
- Q3
- 2.27
- Median
- 1.60
- Q1
- 1.41
- Min
- 0.26
URI’s Current Ratio of 0.90 falls into the lower quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
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.
URI
1.57
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.93
- Q3
- 1.24
- Median
- 0.79
- Q1
- 0.61
- Min
- 0.01
URI’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Trading Companies & Distributors 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
- 5.67
- 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.
URI
5.90
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 15.13
- Q3
- 7.93
- Median
- 5.67
- Q1
- 2.04
- Min
- -1.67
URI’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.90 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | URI |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 4.26 | 0.90 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 2.18 | 0.73 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.05 | 1.57 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 794.74 | 5.90 |
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.
URI
0.85%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.25%
- Q3
- 2.95%
- Median
- 2.06%
- Q1
- 1.11%
- Min
- 0.00%
URI’s Dividend Yield of 0.85% is in the lower quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This suggests the company’s strategy likely favors retaining earnings for growth over providing a high dividend income.
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.
URI
18.10%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 136.12%
- Q3
- 71.34%
- Median
- 47.49%
- Q1
- 22.56%
- Min
- 0.00%
URI’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 18.10% is in the lower quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | FAST | URI |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.08% | 0.85% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 79.49% | 18.10% |
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.
URI
21.31
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 42.69
- Q3
- 25.21
- Median
- 16.99
- Q1
- 13.13
- Min
- 5.35
URI’s P/E Ratio of 21.31 is within the middle range for the Trading Companies & Distributors 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.
URI
3.37
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.90
- Q3
- 2.71
- Median
- 1.06
- Q1
- 0.70
- Min
- 0.30
URI’s P/S Ratio of 3.37 is in the upper echelon for the Trading Companies & Distributors 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
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.
URI
6.82
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 7.55
- Q3
- 4.63
- Median
- 2.09
- Q1
- 1.30
- Min
- 0.31
URI’s P/B Ratio of 6.82 is in the upper tier for the Trading Companies & Distributors 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 | URI |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 38.19 | 21.31 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 5.86 | 3.37 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 14.46 | 6.82 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 48.53 | 51.58 |