MetaCap

Fastenal (FAST) vs QXO (QXO)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.

Summary

Fastenal (FAST) has outperformed QXO (QXO) over the past year, gaining 6.2% versus a loss of 44.1%. Over five years, FAST leads with a +78.8% price change compared with -76.3% for QXO. Fastenal is the larger company by market cap ($57.94 billion vs $11.54 billion), about 5.0 times the size, while QXO is growing revenue faster (+11925.0% vs +8.7%).

On valuation, QXO trades at a lower forward P/E (18.7x vs 36.1x for Fastenal). Fastenal pays a dividend yielding 1.82%, while QXO does not currently pay one. Fastenal converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 15.3% versus -4.1%.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

FAST+6.18%QXO-44.12%
+40%-4%-48%
Oct 8, 20251 yearOct 8, 2026
FAST+89.04%QXO-77.14%
+374%+138%-99%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

FAST versus QXO key metrics
MetricFASTQXO
Share price$50.49$11.12
Market cap$57.94B$11.54B
1-day change+1.32%-1.68%
YTD return+25.82%-42.35%
1-year return+6.18%-44.12%
5-year return+78.79%-76.32%
P/E ratio (TTM)43.15—
Forward P/E36.0618.70
EPS (TTM)$1.17$-0.89
Dividend yield1.82%0.00%
Annual dividend$0.92$0.00
Revenue (latest FY)$8.20B$6.84B
Revenue growth (YoY)+8.67%+11924.96%
Net income (latest FY)$1.26B$-279.40M
Gross margin45.01%22.99%
Operating margin20.19%-3.58%
Net margin15.35%-4.08%
52-week high$52.92$27.61
52-week low$38.97$10.77
Distance from 52-week high-4.59%-59.72%
Analyst consensusholdstrong_buy
Avg. price target upside-3.27%+154.68%
Average volume7.45M19.92M
Shares outstanding1.15B1.04B
Employees22,2307,794
SectorConsumer DiscretionaryConsumer Discretionary
IndustryRETAIL: Building MaterialsRETAIL: 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

  • Fastenal is about 5.0 times larger than QXO by market value ($57.94B vs $11.54B).
  • FAST has outperformed QXO by 50.3 percentage points over the past year.
  • Fastenal offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (1.82% vs 0.00%).
  • Fastenal is more profitable, keeping 15.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -4.1 cents for QXO.
  • QXO grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+11924.96% vs +8.67%).

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 QXO

QXO stock →

QXO, Inc. distributes roofing, waterproofing and complementary building products in the United States and Canada.

Consumer Discretionary · RETAIL: Building Materials · 7,794 employees

FAST vs QXO FAQ

Which is bigger, Fastenal or QXO?

Fastenal (FAST) is larger, with a market capitalization of $57.94B compared with $11.54B for QXO (QXO).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, FAST or QXO?

FAST returned +6.18% over the past 12 months, compared with -44.12% for QXO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which pays a higher dividend, Fastenal or QXO?

Fastenal pays a dividend yielding 1.82%, while QXO does not currently pay a regular dividend.

Are Fastenal and QXO in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the RETAIL: Building Materials industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.

More comparisons