Madison Asset Management LLC Reduces Stake in Fastenal Company $FAST

Madison Asset Management LLC cut its stake in Fastenal Company (NASDAQ:FAST) by 40.1% in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 217,488 shares of the company’s stock after selling 145,791 shares during the quarter. Madison Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Fastenal were worth $10,091,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Brighton Jones LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Fastenal in the fourth quarter valued at about $496,000. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC raised its stake in Fastenal by 2.4% during the first quarter. Integrated Wealth Concepts LLC now owns 6,276 shares of the company’s stock worth $487,000 after purchasing an additional 147 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new position in Fastenal in the 2nd quarter valued at about $158,000. Jump Financial LLC acquired a new position in Fastenal in the 2nd quarter valued at about $2,199,000. Finally, Cary Street Partners Financial LLC grew its stake in shares of Fastenal by 111.0% in the 2nd quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC now owns 3,367 shares of the company’s stock valued at $141,000 after buying an additional 1,771 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 81.38% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on FAST shares. Jefferies Financial Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of Fastenal in a report on Thursday, June 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on Fastenal from $46.00 to $47.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, April 9th. Barclays lowered their price objective on Fastenal from $47.00 to $46.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 16th. DA Davidson reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $46.00 target price on shares of Fastenal in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Fastenal in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $48.83.

Fastenal Price Performance

Fastenal stock opened at $45.01 on Wednesday. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $45.77 and its 200-day simple moving average is $45.27. The company has a market capitalization of $51.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.80 and a beta of 0.72. Fastenal Company has a 1 year low of $38.97 and a 1 year high of $50.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a quick ratio of 2.21 and a current ratio of 4.18.

Fastenal (NASDAQ:FAST) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 14th. The company reported $0.33 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.33. Fastenal had a net margin of 15.45% and a return on equity of 34.03%. The firm had revenue of $2.39 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.34 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.29 EPS. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 14.7% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Fastenal Company will post 1.25 earnings per share for the current year.

Fastenal Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 25th. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.26 per share. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, July 28th. This is a positive change from Fastenal’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.24. Fastenal’s dividend payout ratio is currently 81.36%.

Fastenal News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Fastenal this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Fastenal’s Q2 2026 earnings call transcript reinforced steady operating performance, with revenue growth and execution suggesting the company is still taking share in industrial distribution. Fastenal (FAST) Q2 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts highlighted that Fastenal’s digital tools, contract wins, and international growth are supporting continued industrial sales expansion, which could help sustain earnings growth. FAST Trends to Watch as Digital Tools Reshape Industrial Demand Ahead
• Positive Sentiment: Fastenal was also featured as a high-dividend stock with a long record of payouts, which can support demand from income-focused investors. 5 High Dividend Yield Stocks to Buy for a Stable Portfolio in 2H 2026
• Neutral Sentiment: The company raised its dividend alongside other industrial names, signaling confidence in cash flow, though the article framed it more as part of a broader dividend-themed roundup than a major catalyst. Industrial and Utility Giants Boost Dividends as Data Center Tailwinds Build (FAST)
• Neutral Sentiment: One MarketWatch item noted that Fastenal underperformed peers on Monday, but it did not point to a major company-specific negative; this looks more like relative trading noise. Fastenal Co. stock underperforms Monday when compared to competitors
• Negative Sentiment: Several analysts warned that margin pressure and a rich valuation leave FAST with less room for error, which is the main reason the stock may not be advancing more sharply. Is FAST Stock Too Expensive as Growth and Margins Send Mixed Signals?
• Negative Sentiment: Another note echoed that rising costs and margin pressure remain key risks, suggesting investors are watching profitability closely even as sales trends improve. Fastenal Stock Outlook 2026 as Digital Gains Lift Industrial Sales
• Negative Sentiment: Investors are also scrutinizing international revenue trends, which could affect Wall Street forecasts if overseas growth does not accelerate. Don’t Overlook Fastenal (FAST) International Revenue Trends While Assessing the Stock

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.