Fastenal Company (FAST) vs Watsco, Inc. (WSO.B)
Fastenal Company and Watsco, Inc. are both Industrial Distribution companies. Fastenal Company is the larger, with a market value of $58.1B against $16.0B — 3.6× the size. Watsco, Inc. trades at the lower P/E: 28.3× against 42.7×. Fastenal Company grew revenue faster over the last twelve months: 12.5% against −2.98%. Fastenal Company has the higher net margin (15.5% vs 6.54%) and the higher return on invested capital (27.9% vs 14.2%). Both pay a dividend; Watsco, Inc. yields more (2.69% vs 2.22%). Across the 23 metrics below, Watsco, Inc. leads on 12 and Fastenal Company on 11.
Valuation
Profitability
| Metric | FAST | WSO.B | Industrial Distribution median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.70% | 27.51% | 30.34% |
| Operating margin | 20.29% | 9.40% | 8.06% |
| Net margin | 15.45% | 6.54% | 4.95% |
| Free cash flow margin | 13.36% | 9.57% | 4.67% |
| Return on equity | 34.33% | 14.23% | 14.29% |
| Return on assets | 26.23% | 9.71% | 5.30% |
| Return on invested capital | 27.85% | 14.18% | 8.13% |
Growth
Health
Dividend
Size
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