As of Friday close, Fastenal Company’s (NASDAQ:FAST) stock was up $0.11, moving up 0.20 percent to $54.21. The average number of shares traded per day over the past five days has been 2,403,580 shares. 1 time new highs have been achieved over the past 5 days, with a -$1.01 fall in that time frame. In the last twenty days, the average volume was 2,630,420, while in the previous 50 days, it was 2,853,392.
Since last month, FAST stock retreated -5.39%. Shares of the company fell to $53.83 on 09/21/23, the lowest level in the past month. A 52-week high of $59.43 was reached on 07/12/23 after having rallying from a 52-week low of $43.73. Since the beginning of this year, FAST’s stock price has risen by 14.56% or $6.89, and marked a new high 24 times. However, the stock has declined by -8.78% since its 52-week high.
FAST stock investors should be aware that Fastenal Company (FAST) stock had its last reported insider trading activity 33 days ago on Aug 21. WISECUP REYNE K, the Director of the company, disposed of 19,564 shares for $56.78 on Aug 21. It resulted in a $1,110,912 divestment by the insider. Ancius Michael J added 500 shares at an average price of $57.53 on Jul 17. The insider now owns 28,765 shares following the transaction. On Jun 13, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Owen Terry Modock sold 20,000 shares at $56.15 apiece. The transaction was valued at $1,123,070.
Valuation Metrics
Right now, Fastenal Company (FAST) has a P/E ratio of about 27.66. The stock’s beta is 1.15. Besides these, the trailing price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 4.25, the price-to-book (PB) ratio of 9.16, and the price-to-cash flow ratio of 28.74 may also be considered.
The latest dividend of $0.35 per share was paid out, remained unchanged from last year’s $0.35. On Wednesday January 18 2023, a $0.04 dividend increase was announced.
Financial Health
In the three months ended June 29, Fastenal Company’s quick ratio stood at 2.10, while its current ratio was 4.30, showing that the company is able to pay off its debt. According to company report, the long-term debt-to-equity ratio for the quarter ending June 29 was 0.06, and the total debt-to-equity ratio was 0.10. On the profitability front, the trailing twelve-month gross margin is 45.60% percent. In the year ended June 29, EBITDA margin amounted to 23.35%, whereas operating margins totaled 20.70%. Based on annual data, FAST earned $3.22 billion in gross profit and brought in $6.98 billion in revenue.
A company’s management is another factor that investors consider when determining the profitability of an investment. In the past year, return on investment (ROI) was 29.60%. Return on equity (ROE) for the past 12 months was 34.60%.
In Fastenal Company’s quarter-end financial report for June 29, it reported total debt of $200.0 million. According to the earnings report, the company had a higher net income in the recent quarter than it did in the previous quarter. FAST’s revenue rose 5.55% to $1.86 billion during the quarter, while net income inched up to $1.88 billion. While analysts expected Fastenal Company to report $0.53 quarterly earnings, the actual figure was $0.52 per share, beating the consensus estimate by -1.90%. During the quarter, the company generated $439.8 million in EBITDA. The liabilities of Fastenal Company were 1.2 billion at the end of its most recent quarter ended June 29, and its total debt was $618.4 million. The value of shareholders’ equity is $571.33 million.
Technical Picture
This quick technical analysis looks at Fastenal Company’s (FAST) price momentum. With a historical volatility rate of 7.58%, the RSI 9-day stood at 29.97% on 22 September.
With respect to its five-day moving average, the current Fastenal Company price is down by -1.83% percent or -$1.01. At present, FAST shares trade -3.97% below its 20-day simple moving average and -0.68% percent below its 100-day simple moving average. However, the stock is currently trading approximately -4.39% below its SMA50 and +6.52% above its SMA200.
Stochastic coefficient K was 6.30% and Stochastic coefficient D was 8.46%, while ATR was 0.78. Given the Stochastic reading of 10.95% for the 14-day period, the RSI (14) reading has been calculated as 33.78%. As of today, the MACD Oscillator reading stands at -0.42, while the 14-day reading stands at -0.66.
Analyst Ratings
HSBC Securities launched its rating on Fastenal Company (NASDAQ: FAST) to a Hold in a note to investors on September 15, 2023. Fastenal Company (FAST) has been rated Hold by analysts. According to 3 brokerage firms, FAST is a sell, and 12 firms recommend it is a Hold. There are 2 analysts who say the stock is underweight. A total of 0 analysts rate Fastenal Company stock as buy, with 1 recommending it as overweight.
With a median target price of $56.00, the current consensus forecast for the stock is $50.00 – $61.30. Based on these forecasts, analysts predict Fastenal Company (FAST) will achieve an average price target of $56.72.
