Fastenal (FAST) vs Home Depot (HD)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Fastenal (FAST) has outperformed Home Depot (HD) over the past year, gaining 5.0% versus a loss of 26.1%. Over five years, FAST leads with a +78.8% price change compared with -18.4% for HD. Home Depot is the larger company by market cap ($285.11 billion vs $57.18 billion), about 5.0 times the size, while Fastenal is growing revenue faster (+8.7% vs +3.2%).
On valuation, Home Depot trades at a lower forward P/E (17.8x vs 35.5x for Fastenal). Fastenal offers the higher dividend yield (1.85% vs 1.62%). Fastenal converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 15.3% versus 8.6%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | FAST | HD |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $49.83 | $285.77 |
| Market cap | $57.18B | $285.11B |
| 1-day change | -1.93% | -0.32% |
| YTD return | +24.17% | -16.95% |
| 1-year return | +5.02% | -26.12% |
| 5-year return | +78.79% | -18.45% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 42.59 | 20.00 |
| Forward P/E | 35.54 | 17.83 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.17 | $14.29 |
| Dividend yield | 1.85% | 1.62% |
| Annual dividend | $0.92 | $4.63 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $8.20B | $164.68B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.67% | +3.24% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.26B | $14.16B |
| Gross margin | 45.01% | 33.32% |
| Operating margin | 20.19% | 12.68% |
| Net margin | 15.35% | 8.60% |
| 52-week high | $52.92 | $397.63 |
| 52-week low | $38.97 | $277.15 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -5.84% | -28.13% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | -1.99% | +32.39% |
| Average volume | 7.51M | 4.20M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.15B | 997.69M |
| Employees | 22,230 | 470,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | RETAIL: Building Materials | RETAIL: Building Materials |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Home Depot is about 5.0 times larger than Fastenal by market value ($285.11B vs $57.18B).
- FAST has outperformed HD by 31.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Fastenal trades at a higher earnings multiple (42.6x vs 20.0x trailing P/E).
- Fastenal is more profitable, keeping 15.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 8.6 cents for Home Depot.
- Fastenal grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.67% vs +3.24%).
About Fastenal
FAST stock →Fastenal Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the wholesale distribution of industrial and construction supplies in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and internationally. It offers fasteners, and related industrial and construction supplies under the Fastenal name.
Consumer Discretionary · RETAIL: Building Materials · 22,230 employees
About Home Depot
HD stock →The Home Depot, Inc. operates as a home improvement retailer in the United States and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · RETAIL: Building Materials · 470,000 employees
FAST vs HD FAQ
Which is bigger, Fastenal or Home Depot?
Home Depot (HD) is larger, with a market capitalization of $285.11B compared with $57.18B for Fastenal (FAST).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FAST or HD?
FAST returned +5.02% over the past 12 months, compared with -26.12% for HD (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FAST or HD?
HD has the lower trailing P/E at 20.0, versus 42.6 for FAST. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Fastenal or Home Depot?
Fastenal has the higher yield at 1.85%, compared with 1.62% for Home Depot.
Are Fastenal and Home Depot in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the RETAIL: Building Materials industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.