Fastenal (FAST) vs Tractor Supply (TSCO)
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 Tractor Supply (TSCO) over the past year, gaining 5.0% versus a loss of 39.5%. Over five years, FAST leads with a +78.8% price change compared with -17.6% for TSCO. Fastenal is the larger company by market cap ($57.18 billion vs $16.94 billion), about 3.4 times the size.
On valuation, Tractor Supply trades at a lower forward P/E (15.9x vs 35.5x for Fastenal). Tractor Supply offers the higher dividend yield (2.89% vs 1.85%). Fastenal converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 15.3% versus 7.1%.
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 | TSCO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $49.83 | $32.52 |
| Market cap | $57.18B | $16.94B |
| 1-day change | -1.93% | +0.71% |
| YTD return | +24.17% | -34.97% |
| 1-year return | +5.02% | -39.45% |
| 5-year return | +78.79% | -17.57% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 43.33 | 16.94 |
| Forward P/E | 35.54 | 15.88 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.15 | $1.92 |
| Dividend yield | 1.85% | 2.89% |
| Annual dividend | $0.92 | $0.94 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $8.20B | $15.52B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +8.67% | +4.31% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.26B | $1.10B |
| Gross margin | 45.01% | 36.42% |
| Operating margin | 20.19% | 9.45% |
| Net margin | 15.35% | 7.06% |
| 52-week high | $52.92 | $58.21 |
| 52-week low | $38.97 | $28.36 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -5.84% | -44.13% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | none |
| Avg. price target upside | -1.99% | +9.10% |
| Average volume | 7.51M | 10.40M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.15B | 521.04M |
| Employees | 22,230 | 54,000 |
| 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
- Fastenal is about 3.4 times larger than Tractor Supply by market value ($57.18B vs $16.94B).
- FAST has outperformed TSCO by 44.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Fastenal trades at a higher earnings multiple (43.3x vs 16.9x trailing P/E).
- Tractor Supply offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.89% vs 1.85%).
- Fastenal is more profitable, keeping 15.3 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 7.1 cents for Tractor Supply.
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 Tractor Supply
TSCO stock →Tractor Supply Company operates as a rural lifestyle retailer in the United States. The company provides various merchandise, including livestock and equine feed and equipment, poultry, fencing, and sprayers and chemicals; companion animal products, such as food, treats, and equipment for dogs, cats, and other small animals, as well as dog wellness products; seasonal and recreation products comprising tractors and riders, lawn and garden, bird feeding, power equipment, and other recreational products; truck, tool, and hardware products, such as truck accessories, trailers, generators, lubricants, batteries, and hardware and tools; and clothing, gift, and décor products consist of clothing, footwear, toys, snacks, and decorative merchandise.
Consumer Discretionary · RETAIL: Building Materials · 54,000 employees
FAST vs TSCO FAQ
Which is bigger, Fastenal or Tractor Supply?
Fastenal (FAST) is larger, with a market capitalization of $57.18B compared with $16.94B for Tractor Supply (TSCO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, FAST or TSCO?
FAST returned +5.02% over the past 12 months, compared with -39.45% for TSCO (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, FAST or TSCO?
TSCO has the lower trailing P/E at 16.9, versus 43.3 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 Tractor Supply?
Tractor Supply has the higher yield at 2.89%, compared with 1.85% for Fastenal.
Are Fastenal and Tractor Supply in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the RETAIL: Building Materials industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.