Fastenal (NASDAQ:FAST) Given New $42.00 Price Target at Wolfe Research

Fastenal (NASDAQ:FAST) had its price objective trimmed by Wolfe Research from $43.00 to $42.00 in a research report report published on Wednesday,MarketScreener reports. The brokerage currently has an underperform rating on the stock.

Several other research firms have also recently weighed in on FAST. Robert W. Baird lowered their price objective on shares of Fastenal from $53.00 to $49.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. Sanford C. Bernstein reaffirmed an “underperform” rating on shares of Fastenal in a research report on Wednesday. UBS Group raised Fastenal from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their price target for the company from $45.00 to $52.00 in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Barclays set a $43.00 price objective on Fastenal and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group set a $52.00 target price on Fastenal and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, December 15th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $48.00.

Fastenal Trading Up 4.7%

Shares of FAST opened at $44.61 on Wednesday. The business’s 50-day moving average price is $41.32 and its 200 day moving average price is $44.43. The company has a current ratio of 4.26, a quick ratio of 2.19 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. The stock has a market capitalization of $51.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.55, a P/E/G ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 0.90. Fastenal has a 1-year low of $35.31 and a 1-year high of $50.63.

Fastenal (NASDAQ:FAST) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, January 20th. The company reported $0.26 EPS for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.26. The company had revenue of $2.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.04 billion. Fastenal had a net margin of 15.35% and a return on equity of 33.14%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.46 earnings per share. Analysts expect that Fastenal will post 2.15 earnings per share for the current year.

Fastenal Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 26th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 29th will be paid a $0.24 dividend. This represents a $0.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. This is a boost from Fastenal’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.22. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 29th. Fastenal’s dividend payout ratio is presently 82.24%.

Insider Activity at Fastenal

In other Fastenal news, Director Sarah N. Nielsen acquired 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 19th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $39.60 per share, for a total transaction of $39,600.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 5,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $198,000. This trade represents a 25.00% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, Director Hsenghung Sam Hsu bought 1,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 13th. The shares were bought at an average price of $49.58 per share, for a total transaction of $49,580.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director owned 10,000 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $495,800. This represents a 11.11% increase in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this purchase is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 0.37% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Riverview Trust Co increased its stake in shares of Fastenal by 100.0% in the 2nd quarter. Riverview Trust Co now owns 584 shares of the company’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 292 shares during the period. Private Wealth Management Group LLC boosted its holdings in Fastenal by 111.9% in the second quarter. Private Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 642 shares of the company’s stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 339 shares during the last quarter. Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Fastenal in the second quarter worth about $27,000. Hilltop National Bank bought a new stake in Fastenal during the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Finally, Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. lifted its position in Fastenal by 100.0% during the 2nd quarter. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. now owns 696 shares of the company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 348 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.38% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting Fastenal

Here are the key news stories impacting Fastenal this week:

• Positive Sentiment: MarketBeat argues Fastenal is in a “buy zone” after a late-2025 pullback, highlighting institutional accumulation, a healthy balance sheet and catalysts in construction/manufacturing that could drive a rebound. The Nuts and Bolts of Fastenal Earnings—And What Comes Next
• Positive Sentiment: Seeking Alpha profiles Fastenal as a “dividend aristocrat” with a moat-worthy business — steady cash flow, 28 years of dividend increases and a capital-return focus that supports long-term investor demand. Fastenal: Dividend Aristocrat With A Moat-Worthy Business
• Positive Sentiment: Management and coverage note digital-led growth and rising operating cash (cited 30% jump in cash from operations), which supports ongoing dividend increases and reinvestment — a constructive signal for income and quality investors. Fastenal Earnings Call Highlights Digital-Led Growth Momentum
• Neutral Sentiment: Q4 results: GAAP EPS essentially in line (~$0.26) while revenue came in about $10M shy of consensus; year-over-year sales grew double digits but the print was mixed enough to temper immediate upside. Fastenal Company Reports 2025 Annual and Fourth Quarter Earnings
• Neutral Sentiment: Transcripts/analyst notes emphasize growth across product lines and improved operational quality, but the company gave no specific 2026 guidance — leaving near-term direction dependent on macro and execution. Fastenal Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Several outlets flagged margin pressure — rising inventory costs and tariff impacts — that dented gross margins and helped trigger a post-earnings pullback. Fastenal shares slide after Q4 results show margin pressure
• Negative Sentiment: Wolfe Research cut its price target to $42 and kept an “underperform” rating, and other shops maintained Hold ratings — signaling limited upside from current valuation amid slowing fundamentals. Wolfe Research Adjusts PT on Fastenal Company to $42
• Negative Sentiment: Market reaction: shares dipped after the mixed print and commentary about pricing power erosion — the sell-side caution explains downward pressure despite solid cash flow metrics. Fastenal shares fall 4% as Q4 revenue misses expectations

Fastenal Company Profile

Fastenal (NASDAQ: FAST) is a wholesale distributor of industrial and construction supplies, best known for its broad assortment of fasteners such as bolts, nuts, screws and anchors. Founded in Winona, Minnesota, Fastenal has grown from a regional supplier into a national and international distributor serving a wide range of end markets, including manufacturing, construction, maintenance, repair and operations (MRO), and government customers. The company is publicly traded and operates through a network of locally staffed branches combined with national distribution capabilities.

Product offerings extend beyond fasteners to include tools, safety and personal protective equipment, power transmission components, cutting and welding supplies, janitorial and material handling items, and other industrial consumables.