Fastenal Co (FAST) Valuation
Historical valuation analysis based on 1281 data points (2021-09-10 to 2026-10-16)
Fastenal began as an industrial retailer, expanding its product portfolio from nuts and bolts to cutting tools, safety equipment, and janitorial supplies. It transitioned into a distributor by buil...
Fastenal Co (FAST) currently trades at a P/E ratio of 43.30 (historical range: 23.58–48.73, median: 35.54), placing it at the 92th percentile — expensive relative to its history, P/S ratio of 6.69 (range: 3.71–7.45, 93th percentile — expensive relative to its history), EV/EBITDA of 33.11 (range: 17.91–36.98, 94th percentile).
Over the historical period (2021-09-10 to 2026-10-16), Fastenal Co's P/E ratio has expanded by 26% over the observed period (from an average of 31.2 to 39.3).
Fastenal Co trades well above its own historical valuation range across most metrics.
Historical Valuation Metrics
| Metric | Current | Median | %ile | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio | 43.30 | 35.54 | 92th | expensive relative to its history |
| P/S Ratio | 6.69 | 5.49 | 93th | expensive relative to its history |
| EV/EBITDA | 33.11 | 26.87 | 94th | expensive relative to its history |
| FCF Yield | 1.97% | 2.25% | 25th | above its historical average |
Fastenal Co (FAST) Valuation & P/E History
Fastenal Co (FAST) is a US-listed stock operating in the Consumer Cyclical sector, specifically the Retail-Building Materials, Hardware, Garden Supply industry currently trading at $51.03 with a market capitalization of $58.6 billion. This page provides historical valuation analysis for FAST based on 1281 data points covering 2021-09-10 to 2026-10-16. The P/E ratio of 43.30 is above the historical median of 35.54, placing FAST at the 92th percentile of its valuation range. The P/S ratio of 6.69 compares to a median of 5.49.
FAST Valuation Metrics & Historical Range
The valuation table above shows Fastenal Co's current and historical valuation multiples, including P/E ratio, P/S ratio, EV/EBITDA, FCF yield, and dividend yield. Each metric is compared to its own historical range to determine whether FAST is currently trading above or below its typical valuation levels.
- P/E ratio: Price-to-earnings measures how much investors pay per dollar of earnings. A P/E above the historical median suggests FAST is expensively valued; below the median suggests it is cheap.
- P/S ratio: Price-to-sales is useful for companies with volatile or negative earnings. Lower P/S relative to history may indicate value.
- EV/EBITDA: Enterprise value to EBITDA adjusts for debt and cash, providing a capital-structure-neutral valuation measure for Fastenal Co.
- FCF yield: Free cash flow yield shows the cash return relative to market price. Higher yields may indicate undervaluation.
Is FAST Overvalued or Undervalued?
Fastenal Co trades well above its own historical valuation range across most metrics. The overall valuation percentile of 93 combines P/E, P/S, and EV/EBITDA percentiles into a single measure of how expensive FAST is relative to its own history. A percentile below 25 suggests the stock may be undervalued, while a percentile above 75 suggests it may be overvalued.
However, valuation is only one factor in investment decisions. A stock can remain "overvalued" for years if growth accelerates, or "undervalued" if the business deteriorates. Always combine valuation analysis with financial statement analysis and the full FAST analysis page for a complete picture.
Valuation data is computed from historical price and fundamental data via Polygon.io and Finnhub.FAST trades on NYSE/NASDAQ. This page is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.