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Relative Intelligence · Industrial Distribution

How Fastenal (FAST) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on FAST alone. It places FAST (Fastenal Company) against 17 popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where FAST stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: FAST's full trading record, from August 1987 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 20, 2026.

Data as of October 20, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against FAST →Chart FAST vs. 17 alternatives →
On this page12 sections

Key findings

How much would $10,000 in FAST have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in FAST over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of FAST over the same span and FAST's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Choose a period

From the end of September 1997 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 110 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of FAST; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$1,000$10,000$100,000$1M199720022007201220172022$1,000$10,000$100,000$1M19972004201120182025
  • TJX$958,745+9,487% total · +17.0% a year
  • COST$727,732+7,177% total · +15.9% a year
  • CAT$615,591+6,056% total · +15.3% a year
  • COR$574,137+5,641% total · +15.0% a year
  • AMGN$526,909+5,169% total · +14.6% a year
  • FAST$485,606+4,756% total · +14.3% a year
  • GWW$444,276+4,343% total · +14.0% a year
  • AIT$389,541+3,795% total · +13.5% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
  • GIC$46,860+369% total · +5.5% a year
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From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 674 of the 3,628 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of FAST; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000$70,000202120222023202420252026$0$20,000$40,000$60,000$80,000202120222023202420252026
  • DXPE$61,281+513% total · +43.7% a year
  • CAH$49,682+397% total · +37.8% a year
  • CAT$46,130+361% total · +35.8% a year
  • WAB$34,242+242% total · +27.9% a year
  • GWW$33,303+233% total · +27.2% a year
  • URI$29,622+196% total · +24.3% a year
  • ABBV$29,134+191% total · +23.8% a year
  • TRV$25,788+158% total · +20.9% a year
  • FAST$21,648+116% total · +16.7% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
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FAST at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

The company

Market value
$59B
Industry
Industrial - Distribution
Price history from
August 1987

Returns

Past 1 year
+22.8%total return
Past 3 years
+92.7%+24.4% a year
Past 5 years
+108%+15.8% a year
Past 10 years
+576%+21.1% a year
Best calendar year
+48.5%2011
Worst calendar year
−24.4%2022
Losing years
6 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
24.6%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.72return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−63.3%Aug 1997 to Oct 1998
From its all-time high
−1.4%below the peak

FAST against the whole market

Where FAST ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.

How does FAST rank among all stocks?

This section ranks FAST on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every stock worth at least $300 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how FAST stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureFASTRankStanding
1-year return+22.8%1,162 of 3,287top 35%
3-year return+92.7%986 of 3,017top 33%
5-year return+108%639 of 2,893top 22%
10-year return+576%252 of 2,202top 11%
Volatility, 5 years24.6%296 of 2,893top 10%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.72423 of 2,893top 15%
Worst decline, past 10 years−30.7%28 of 2,187top 1%

What has beaten FAST on both return and risk?

Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). FAST sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than FAST with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to FAST; faint dots are 25 more of the 44 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,633 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

10.0%12.5%15.0%17.5%20.0%22.5%25.0%27.5%10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than FASTRY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%BTI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.0%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%KMI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.5%AFL: +19.0% a year, volatility 20.8%ETR: +19.2% a year, volatility 22.4%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%WRB: +18.9% a year, volatility 22.9%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%ORI: +17.0% a year, volatility 22.2%MLPX: +18.6% a year, volatility 19.7%IXC: +20.7% a year, volatility 23.2%EUFN: +18.5% a year, volatility 21.8%GARP: +17.5% a year, volatility 22.5%FRDM: +17.3% a year, volatility 22.8%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%ATMP: +21.2% a year, volatility 21.5%NANR: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.6%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%WAB: +25.6% a year, volatility 26.2%MO: +17.8% a year, volatility 21.4%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%CCEP: +19.7% a year, volatility 23.2%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%FASTSPY (S&P 500)GWWTJXWABMOTRVCCEPCAHABBVCRAKAMGNDFIVDXJ10.0%15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than FASTRY: +17.3% a year, volatility 18.2%MPLX: +23.5% a year, volatility 18.8%WMT: +20.8% a year, volatility 22.6%LVHI: +17.0% a year, volatility 11.1%COST: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.9%NVS: +17.1% a year, volatility 20.7%GLD: +17.7% a year, volatility 18.9%BTI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.0%CM: +19.2% a year, volatility 21.6%COR: +24.2% a year, volatility 22.8%KMI: +18.7% a year, volatility 22.5%AFL: +19.0% a year, volatility 20.8%ETR: +19.2% a year, volatility 22.4%SDCI: +20.6% a year, volatility 18.4%WRB: +18.9% a year, volatility 22.9%SPMO: +18.7% a year, volatility 20.8%ORI: +17.0% a year, volatility 22.2%MLPX: +18.6% a year, volatility 19.7%IXC: +20.7% a year, volatility 23.2%EUFN: +18.5% a year, volatility 21.8%GARP: +17.5% a year, volatility 22.5%FRDM: +17.3% a year, volatility 22.8%DBJP: +20.9% a year, volatility 19.2%ATMP: +21.2% a year, volatility 21.5%NANR: +17.4% a year, volatility 22.6%FAST: +15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%SPY (S&P 500): +12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%GWW: +26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%TJX: +19.9% a year, volatility 22.3%WAB: +25.6% a year, volatility 26.2%MO: +17.8% a year, volatility 21.4%TRV: +22.4% a year, volatility 22.3%CCEP: +19.7% a year, volatility 23.2%CAH: +42.1% a year, volatility 24.7%ABBV: +26.1% a year, volatility 23.4%CRAK: +19.8% a year, volatility 20.9%AMGN: +19.6% a year, volatility 24.9%DFIV: +14.8% a year, volatility 16.4%DXJ: +26.6% a year, volatility 19.1%FASTSPY (S&P 500)GWWTJXMOTRVCCEPCAHABBVCRAKAMGNDFIVDXJ
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region

Is there a better investment than FAST?

Investments that beat FAST over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat FAST over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes. It checks FAST's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than FAST follows the table.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than FAST's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× FAST's volatility counts as better.

These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than FAST's.

Screen the whole market against FAST for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 12 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with FAST?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
FASTFastenal Company · this page
+15.8%24.6%0.72−30.7%+576%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.7%17.1%0.79−33.7%+321%0.460.09%
Popular alternativesbest 1 shownThe investments people most often weigh against FAST. 1 of 17 passed at least one test.
GWWW.W. Grainger, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+26.3%24.9%1.07−41.6%+654%0.64—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 2 shownEverything else in Industrial Distribution and the categories next to it (Industrial Machinery, Building Products, Specialty Retail), plus FAST's specific themes. 2 of 85 passed at least one test.
TJXThe TJX Companies, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Higher return, lower volatility+19.9%22.3%0.93−42.5%+361%0.29—
WABWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation · Industrial Machinery
Higher return, similar volatility+25.6%26.2%1.00−64.1%+264%0.34—
The whole marketbest 8 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 146 of 3,531 passed at least one test.
MOAltria Group, Inc. · Tobacco
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+17.8%21.4%0.88−53.7%+140%0.41—
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+347%0.42—
CCEPCoca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC · Food & Beverages
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+19.7%23.2%0.90−48.8%+292%0.20—
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
On the frontierHigher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+42.1%24.7%1.55−46.1%+349%0.15—
ABBVAbbVie Inc. · Pharmaceuticals
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+26.1%23.4%1.11−45.1%+603%0.35—
CRAKVanEck Oil Refiners ETF · Energy
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+19.8%20.9%0.97−58.8%+336%0.240.61%
AMGNAmgen Inc. · Biotechnology
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+19.6%24.9%0.85−24.9%+266%0.19—
DFIVDimensional - International Value ETF · International Equity
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+14.8%16.4%0.93−25.4%—0.360.27%
What these numbers mean for FAST
Annual return
FAST returned 15.8% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.7% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $20,800. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
Volatility
FAST's volatility over the past 5 years was 24.6%, 1.4 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, FAST's return lands within 24.6% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
FAST's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.72, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so FAST earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
Worst decline
FAST's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 30.7%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 30.7% fall takes a 44.3% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, FAST's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.46 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against FAST instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a FAST holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 44 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than FAST with less volatility

Out of 3,633 tested over 5 years. The strongest 31 are listed, best first, with funds that hold the same thing listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with FASTExpense
1
MOAltria Group, Inc. · Tobacco
Whole market+17.8%21.4%0.88−53.7%+140%0.41—
2
TRVThe Travelers Companies, Inc. · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+22.4%22.3%1.02−46.3%+347%0.42—
3
CCEPCoca-Cola Europacific Partners PLC · Food & Beverages
Whole market+19.7%23.2%0.90−48.8%+292%0.20—
4
RYRoyal Bank of Canada · Banks
Whole market+17.3%18.2%0.97−40.0%+352%0.25—
5
CRAKVanEck Oil Refiners ETF · Energy
Whole market+19.8%20.9%0.97−58.8%+336%0.240.61%
6
MPLXMPLX Lp · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+23.5%18.8%1.22−75.2%+350%0.29—
7
WMTWalmart Inc. · Discount Retail
Whole market+20.8%22.6%0.96−25.7%+508%0.37—
8
DXJWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund · International Equity
Whole market+26.6%19.1%1.34−39.1%+428%0.270.48%
9
LVHIFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF · International Equity
Whole market+17.0%11.1%1.48−32.4%+194%0.400.40%
10
COSTCostco Wholesale Corporation · Discount Retail
Whole market+17.4%22.9%0.82−31.4%+685%0.45—
11
NVSNovartis AG · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+17.1%20.7%0.87−26.8%+226%0.28—
12
GLDSPDR Gold Shares · Gold
Whole market+17.7%18.9%0.96−26.4%+213%0.180.40%
13
BTIBritish American Tobacco p.l.c. · Tobacco
Whole market+18.7%22.0%0.90−56.1%+98.2%0.16—
14
CMCanadian Imperial Bank of Commerce · Banks
Whole market+19.2%21.6%0.93−47.3%+395%0.31—
15
CORCencora, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+24.2%22.8%1.07−32.4%+406%0.36—
16
KMIKinder Morgan, Inc. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+18.7%22.5%0.88−55.1%+163%0.39—
17
AFLAflac Incorporated · Life Insurance
Whole market+19.0%20.8%0.95−54.9%+335%0.27—
18
ETREntergy Corporation · Electric Utilities
Whole market+19.2%22.4%0.90−42.0%+311%0.48—
19
SDCIUSCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund · Bonds
Whole market+20.6%18.4%1.12−45.7%—0.100.80%
20
WRBW. R. Berkley Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+18.9%22.9%0.87−45.3%+443%0.37—
21
SPMOInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF · US Momentum Equity
Whole market+18.7%20.8%0.93−30.9%+499%0.330.13%
22
TJXThe TJX Companies, Inc. · Specialty Retail
Same or nearby category+19.9%22.3%0.93−42.5%+361%0.29—
23
ORIOld Republic International Corporation · Property & Casualty Insurance
Whole market+17.0%22.2%0.82−47.8%+349%0.32—
24
MLPXGlobal X - MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF · Energy
Whole market+18.6%19.7%0.97−64.6%+186%0.420.45%
25
IXCiShares Global Energy ETF · International
Whole market+20.7%23.2%0.93−64.2%+183%0.210.37%
26
EUFNiShares MSCI Europe Financials ETF · Financial Sector Equity
Whole market+18.5%21.8%0.89−53.2%+233%0.350.49%
27
GARPiShares MSCI USA Quality GARP ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+17.5%22.5%0.83−31.4%—0.360.15%
28
FRDMFreedom 100 Emerging Markets ETF · International
Whole market+17.3%22.8%0.82−40.5%—0.230.49%
29
DBJPXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF · International
Whole market+20.9%19.2%1.09−31.3%+348%0.280.45%
30
ATMPBarclays ETN+ Select MLP ETN · Broad Market
Whole market+21.2%21.5%1.01−70.3%+172%0.340.95%
31
NANRState Street SPDR S&P North American Natural Resources ETF · Broad Market
Whole market+17.4%22.6%0.83−49.1%+241%0.340.35%

FAST against its popular alternatives

The investments people most often weigh against FAST, compared period by period and year by year.

How do FAST's risk and return compare with its alternatives?

This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at FAST, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.

Green points earned more than FAST with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.

15.0%20.0%25.0%30.0%35.0%40.0%45.0%50.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityFAST: 15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%GIC: 5.3% a year, volatility 39.0%MSM: 13.3% a year, volatility 25.1%SWK: −9.6% a year, volatility 38.3%FERG: 11.2% a year, volatility 30.7%DSGR: 6.2% a year, volatility 45.8%SITE: −14.6% a year, volatility 41.3%DNOW: 10.9% a year, volatility 42.7%WSO: 3.8% a year, volatility 31.4%CNM: 11.2% a year, volatility 38.3%GWW: 26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%DXPE: 39.0% a year, volatility 46.1%URI: 24.3% a year, volatility 39.1%CAT: 31.1% a year, volatility 31.9%AIT: 28.5% a year, volatility 30.3%WCC: 22.5% a year, volatility 45.3%ITW: 6.7% a year, volatility 21.4%SNA: 12.9% a year, volatility 23.6%FASTSPY (S&P 500)GICMSMSWKFERGDSGRSITEDNOWWSOCNMGWWDXPEURICATAITWCCITWSNA10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%−20.0%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityFAST: 15.8% a year, volatility 24.6%SPY (S&P 500): 12.7% a year, volatility 17.1%GIC: 5.3% a year, volatility 39.0%MSM: 13.3% a year, volatility 25.1%SWK: −9.6% a year, volatility 38.3%FERG: 11.2% a year, volatility 30.7%DSGR: 6.2% a year, volatility 45.8%SITE: −14.6% a year, volatility 41.3%DNOW: 10.9% a year, volatility 42.7%WSO: 3.8% a year, volatility 31.4%CNM: 11.2% a year, volatility 38.3%GWW: 26.3% a year, volatility 24.9%DXPE: 39.0% a year, volatility 46.1%URI: 24.3% a year, volatility 39.1%CAT: 31.1% a year, volatility 31.9%AIT: 28.5% a year, volatility 30.3%WCC: 22.5% a year, volatility 45.3%ITW: 6.7% a year, volatility 21.4%SNA: 12.9% a year, volatility 23.6%FASTSPY (S&P 500)GICSWKFERGSITEDNOWWSOCNMGWWDXPEURICATAITWCCITW
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
DXPE DXP Enterprises, Inc.+39.0%46.1%
CAT Caterpillar Inc.+31.1%31.9%
AIT Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.+28.5%30.3%
GWW W.W. Grainger, Inc.+26.3%24.9%
URI United Rentals, Inc.+24.3%39.1%
WCC WESCO International, Inc.+22.5%45.3%
FAST This pageFastenal Company+15.8%24.6%
MSM MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.+13.3%25.1%
SNA Snap-on Incorporated+12.9%23.6%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.7%17.1%
FERG Ferguson plc+11.2%30.7%
CNM Core & Main, Inc.+11.2%38.3%
DNOW Dnow Inc.+10.9%42.7%
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc.+6.7%21.4%
DSGR Distribution Solutions Group, Inc.+6.2%45.8%
GIC Global Industrial Co+5.3%39.0%
WSO Watsco, Inc.+3.8%31.4%
SWK Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.−9.6%38.3%
SITE SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.−14.6%41.3%
Open these 19 in EasyCompare

Has FAST consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares FAST with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than FAST helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than FAST over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
FAST Fastenal Company (this page)—+4.0%+16.0%+14.6%+29.8%+22.8%+92.7%+108%+576%24.6%0.72−30.7%—$59B—
GWW QualifiedW.W. Grainger, Inc.4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather+4.6%−2.4%+15.3%+33.9%+38.7%+98.1%+221%+654%24.9%1.07−41.6%—$63B—
DXPE Industrial - DistributionDXP Enterprises, Inc.2/5 short3/3 long−9.4%+1.7%+8.8%+58.3%+48.8%+425%+419%+610%46.1%0.95−77.3%—$2.6B—
URI Rental & Leasing ServicesUnited Rentals, Inc.1/5 short3/3 long+1.4%+3.3%+29.0%+24.3%+5.2%+164%+196%+1,270%39.1%0.75−63.3%—$65B—
CAT Agricultural - MachineryCaterpillar Inc.1/5 short3/3 long−11.2%−15.9%−8.8%+22.2%+37.7%+203%+288%+936%31.9%1.01−43.4%—$333B—
AIT Industrial - DistributionApplied Industrial Technologies, Inc.1/5 short3/3 long+3.2%−1.4%+12.9%+28.0%+33.4%+120%+250%+742%30.3%0.98−59.3%—$12B—
WCC Industrial - DistributionWESCO International, Inc.2/5 short2/3 long−3.9%+7.2%+6.1%+36.2%+57.1%+179%+176%+505%45.3%0.68−78.8%—$17B—
GIC Industrial - DistributionGlobal Industrial Co5/5 short1/3 long+8.1%+29.8%+33.7%+53.9%+31.2%+49.6%+29.5%+995%39.0%0.33−55.7%—$1.7B—
MSM Industrial - DistributionMSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.4/5 short0/3 long+6.5%+4.3%+34.3%+55.1%+54.6%+48.6%+86.7%+184%25.1%0.63−48.2%—$7.2B—
SWK Manufacturing - Tools & AccessoriesStanley Black & Decker, Inc.3/5 short0/3 long+6.1%+8.5%+27.7%+26.8%+42.0%+36.2%−39.7%+2.0%38.3%-0.07−71.3%—$14B—
FERG Industrial - DistributionFerguson plc1/5 short0/3 long+5.1%−0.5%−13.1%+2.1%−4.7%+55.4%+70.0%+418%30.7%0.50−55.4%—$44B—
DSGR Industrial - DistributionDistribution Solutions Group, Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+0.5%+1.6%+27.9%+25.0%+18.5%+20.8%+34.9%+268%45.8%0.35−58.0%—$1.6B—
SITE Industrial - DistributionSiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+5.8%−6.0%−34.8%−22.8%−20.4%−29.6%−54.7%+202%41.3%-0.18−65.7%—$4.2B—
DNOW Industrial - DistributionDnow Inc.1/5 short0/3 long+1.3%+13.0%+31.4%+18.0%+10.3%+38.5%+67.4%−28.1%42.7%0.46−82.5%—$2.9B—
ITW Industrial - MachineryIllinois Tool Works Inc.0/5 short0/3 long+3.5%+1.9%+2.1%+12.3%+11.7%+32.1%+38.4%+208%21.4%0.41−37.9%—$78B—
WSO Industrial - DistributionWatsco, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−3.9%−17.7%−29.8%−10.0%−17.4%−5.5%+20.6%+196%31.4%0.28−48.2%—$12B—
SNA Manufacturing - Tools & AccessoriesSnap-on Incorporated0/5 short0/3 long−0.9%−9.3%−4.0%+6.4%+10.4%+56.9%+83.2%+195%23.6%0.63−47.4%—$19B—
CNM Industrial - DistributionCore & Main, Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−3.4%−5.1%−16.8%−22.1%−21.0%+38.9%+69.6%—38.3%0.47−40.0%—$7.7B—
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How did FAST do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where FAST ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with FAST and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of FAST; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places FAST among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of FAST20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
FAST This pageFastenal Company—+14.0%+13.5%+41.4%−24.4%+34.0%+36.6%+45.0%−1.6%+17.2%+18.6%−11.8%+2.3%+3.4%+10.1%+48.5%+47.6%+22.0%−12.3%+14.0%−7.1%+28.3%+25.0%+34.3%+12.6%+20.9%+21.9%+2.3%+15.0%−16.0%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 8 of 298 of 189 of 188 of 1812 of 186 of 174 of 176 of 175 of 179 of 1710 of 167 of 1611 of 1514 of 1510 of 151 of 157 of 159 of 154 of 146 of 1413 of 144 of 148 of 148 of 143 of 148 of 144 of 147 of 133 of 1210 of 11
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF13 of 29+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%+26.4%−36.8%+5.1%+15.9%+4.8%+10.7%+28.2%−21.6%−11.7%−9.8%+20.4%+28.7%+33.5%
GWW W.W. Grainger, Inc.13 of 29−3.4%+28.2%+50.5%+8.7%+28.8%+22.8%+22.3%+21.7%+4.3%+17.3%−18.9%+1.5%+28.0%+9.8%+37.8%+45.3%+25.4%−8.2%+27.1%−0.1%+8.3%+42.7%−6.6%+8.9%+33.8%−22.3%+16.5%−13.3%+22.6%
DXPE DXP Enterprises, Inc.12 of 27+32.9%+145%+22.3%+7.3%+15.5%−44.2%+43.0%−5.9%−14.9%+52.4%−54.9%−56.1%+135%+52.4%+34.2%+83.6%−10.5%−37.4%+33.2%+104%+258%+17.1%+276%−0.9%+76.0%−74.4%−63.9%——
URI United Rentals, Inc.17 of 28+15.9%+24.0%+63.6%+7.0%+43.3%+39.1%+62.6%−40.4%+62.8%+45.6%−28.9%+30.9%+71.3%+54.0%+29.9%+132%+7.5%−50.3%−27.8%+8.7%+23.8%−1.9%+79.0%−52.6%+68.9%−21.5%−48.3%+71.5%—
CAT Caterpillar Inc.13 of 29+60.3%+24.7%+25.9%+18.6%+16.0%+27.0%+19.5%−17.6%+75.0%+42.1%−23.0%+3.5%+3.4%+1.6%−1.5%+68.5%+33.2%−36.8%+20.5%+7.8%+20.7%+19.7%+86.1%−9.8%+13.7%+4.1%+4.7%−3.0%+31.2%
AIT Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.12 of 29+8.0%+39.7%+38.4%+24.2%+33.6%+19.4%+26.4%−19.4%+16.3%+50.3%−8.8%−5.2%+19.2%+22.0%+10.9%+50.7%+20.3%−33.2%+12.4%+19.1%+25.0%+75.7%+29.2%+4.2%−6.8%+27.5%+23.8%−46.9%+46.5%
WCC WESCO International, Inc.12 of 26+36.4%+5.1%+40.2%−4.9%+67.6%+32.2%+23.7%−29.6%+2.4%+52.3%−42.7%−16.3%+35.1%+27.2%+0.4%+95.5%+40.5%−51.5%−32.6%+37.6%+44.1%+235%+61.2%+10.9%−31.7%−18.4%———
GIC Global Industrial Co12 of 29+22.5%−34.3%+69.7%−41.0%+18.8%+62.8%+7.7%−1.2%+286%+3.3%−36.2%+20.1%+16.6%−39.8%+16.4%−10.3%+53.3%−41.6%+22.9%+179%−15.0%+10.5%+329%−35.4%+92.0%−85.3%−63.6%+35.1%−60.3%
MSM MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.12 of 29+17.4%−23.4%+28.5%+0.9%+3.1%+25.3%+5.8%−18.3%+6.9%+68.2%−29.1%+6.3%+8.6%+7.4%+12.1%+42.4%+30.4%−7.2%+4.8%−1.5%+13.3%+32.3%+55.6%−10.1%+9.3%+36.4%−41.5%+7.7%+13.6%
SWK Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.11 of 29−3.2%−15.2%+35.5%−58.9%+7.3%+9.7%+41.2%−28.1%+49.2%+9.6%+13.4%+21.9%+11.8%+12.4%+3.6%+32.9%+56.6%−27.5%−1.5%+7.2%+0.5%+32.7%+13.5%−23.8%+53.0%+7.3%+11.8%−39.9%+77.9%
FERG Ferguson plc10 of 17+29.9%−8.6%+55.1%−27.2%+56.4%+31.9%+49.6%−10.3%+21.9%+11.8%−1.0%+8.5%+23.4%+68.3%−4.0%+63.6%−11.7%————————————
DSGR Distribution Solutions Group, Inc.11 of 29−20.4%+9.0%+71.2%−32.7%+7.5%−2.3%+64.9%+27.6%+4.0%+1.9%−12.6%+118%+23.8%−33.0%−34.5%+46.5%−19.5%−36.4%−13.9%+25.4%−21.6%+57.4%+11.9%+24.3%+1.6%+23.6%+4.4%−19.1%+41.9%
SITE SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.4 of 9−5.5%−18.9%+38.5%−51.6%+52.7%+75.0%+64.0%−27.9%+121%————————————————————
DNOW Dnow Inc.4 of 11+1.8%+14.9%−10.9%+48.7%+18.9%−36.1%−3.4%+5.5%−46.1%+29.4%−38.5%——————————————————
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc.12 of 29−0.4%−1.0%+21.6%−8.5%+23.6%+16.4%+45.6%−22.1%+38.9%+35.0%+0.1%+15.0%+41.4%+33.6%−10.0%+14.4%+41.4%−32.7%+18.0%+7.1%−3.7%+11.7%+31.1%−2.9%+15.2%−10.6%+17.6%−2.6%+51.9%
WSO Watsco, Inc.17 of 29−27.0%+13.2%+77.0%−17.7%+42.1%+30.6%+35.0%−15.5%+18.4%+30.0%+12.0%+13.8%+30.0%+26.3%+7.8%+33.6%+33.3%+9.2%−20.0%−19.8%+72.3%+57.2%+40.3%+16.2%+24.2%+0.6%−30.5%+2.4%−14.1%
SNA Snap-on Incorporated9 of 29+4.3%+20.7%+29.7%+8.9%+28.8%+4.0%+19.5%−14.9%+3.6%+1.5%+27.1%+26.8%+41.0%+59.4%−8.4%+37.5%+11.3%−16.3%+3.6%+30.2%+12.5%+10.0%+18.8%−13.6%+24.9%+8.8%−21.7%−18.4%+25.0%
CNM Core & Main, Inc.2 of 4+2.1%+26.0%+109%−36.4%—————————————————————————
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Risk and diversification

How FAST has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.

What were FAST's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents FAST's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1987, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Green means FAST fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringFAST fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
No named crash−63.3%+5.0%Aug 1997Oct 199814 monthsJul 19999 months
2008 financial crisis−51.8%−43.4%Sep 2008Mar 20096 monthsApr 201013 months
No named crash−47.5%—May 1990Nov 19906 monthsMar 19914 months
No named crash−42.0%—Oct 1987Oct 1987Under a monthApr 19886 months
No named crash−41.6%−7.8%Jul 1999Oct 19993 monthsMay 20007 months

How did FAST do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far FAST, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than FAST.

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
FAST This pageFastenal Company—−2.7%−25.5%−27.8%−17.4%−2.7%−12.7%−14.0%−2.1%−51.8%−36.4%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF2 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
GWW W.W. Grainger, Inc.4 of 10−3.6%−16.9%−32.5%−25.2%−2.1%−20.6%−18.5%−1.5%−35.3%−55.6%
DXPE DXP Enterprises, Inc.0 of 10−10.9%−30.8%−66.5%−34.6%−5.5%−60.2%−35.2%−10.9%−74.2%−86.7%
URI United Rentals, Inc.0 of 10−14.5%−35.4%−55.3%−43.3%−6.7%−45.7%−50.5%−3.6%−91.2%−77.3%
CAT Caterpillar Inc.0 of 10−9.7%−30.1%−33.1%−28.5%−7.3%−26.0%−33.2%−2.2%−73.3%−42.5%
AIT Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.2 of 10−5.3%−19.0%−52.7%−36.3%−8.0%−14.5%−27.9%−2.6%−57.1%−28.7%
WCC WESCO International, Inc.0 of 10−11.7%−29.6%−67.8%−29.1%−2.8%−37.9%−43.5%−3.9%−75.7%−71.4%
GIC Global Industrial Co0 of 10−4.6%−34.3%−32.2%−26.3%−5.2%−24.6%−29.4%−4.2%−63.2%−89.2%
MSM MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.2 of 10−5.0%−16.9%−35.2%−18.0%−2.9%−23.1%−24.6%−2.5%−48.8%−57.1%
SWK Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.0 of 10−4.5%−60.7%−55.3%−29.7%−6.7%−18.2%−31.3%−4.0%−58.9%−41.3%
FERG Ferguson plc2 of 9−4.1%−42.4%−54.7%−27.3%0.0%−28.8%−28.7%0.0%−87.9%—
DSGR Distribution Solutions Group, Inc.2 of 10−12.8%−50.5%−42.5%−16.7%−5.5%−35.9%−29.6%−10.4%−63.7%−22.6%
SITE SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.0 of 5−7.0%−57.4%−51.2%−38.5%−3.4%—————
DNOW Dnow Inc.0 of 6−10.4%−29.4%−55.1%−39.0%−14.2%−34.6%————
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc.2 of 10−2.9%−28.0%−37.9%−19.3%−8.4%−14.0%−29.0%−1.1%−54.9%−30.8%
WSO Watsco, Inc.2 of 10−4.5%−26.1%−24.3%−24.9%−6.5%−17.4%−19.2%−4.1%−47.0%−43.3%
SNA Snap-on Incorporated1 of 10−3.9%−15.3%−40.3%−27.4%−6.7%−22.2%−29.5%−2.5%−65.8%−37.5%
CNM Core & Main, Inc.0 of 2−8.7%−25.3%————————
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How closely does FAST move with the S&P 500?

Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares FAST with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than FAST's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
FAST This pageFastenal Company106%87%1.230.98
GIC Global Industrial Co113%62%1.810.66
AIT Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.111%75%1.481.13
CAT Caterpillar Inc.148%122%1.211.27
GWW W.W. Grainger, Inc.113%95%1.191.12
URI United Rentals, Inc.177%165%1.071.90
DSGR Distribution Solutions Group, Inc.95%94%1.010.78
WSO Watsco, Inc.74%74%1.010.93
FERG Ferguson plc118%122%0.961.25
SNA Snap-on Incorporated86%93%0.920.99
MSM MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.83%96%0.860.95
DXPE DXP Enterprises, Inc.171%201%0.851.77
WCC WESCO International, Inc.165%194%0.851.96
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc.94%116%0.811.04
SITE SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.116%161%0.721.31
SWK Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.101%198%0.511.30
DNOW Dnow Inc.75%168%0.451.43
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What diversifies FAST?

Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with FAST's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing FAST with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which FAST lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% FAST and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20222018201520082006199780/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
FAST Fastenal Company (this page)1.00+108%0.72−24.4%−1.6%−11.8%−12.3%−7.1%−16.0%23.4%+16.7%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.40+119%1.48+3.8%−5.2%————19.5%+17.2%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.27+225%1.34+6.0%−19.8%+7.7%−20.8%——19.5%+19.2%
MLPX EnergyGlobal X - MLP & Energy Infrastructure ETF0.42+135%0.97+21.5%−15.5%−35.3%———20.5%+17.9%
SMH TechnologyVanEck Semiconductor ETF0.25+323%0.97−33.5%−9.1%−0.3%−44.7%−6.7%—21.5%+21.8%
DBEF InternationalXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF0.43+85.0%0.96−5.1%−9.5%+4.1%———19.8%+16.5%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.18+126%0.96−0.8%−1.9%−10.7%+4.9%+22.6%—19.6%+17.7%
SPMO Broad MarketInvesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF0.33+136%0.93−10.4%−0.9%————20.4%+18.3%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.24+177%0.93+64.4%−18.2%−21.5%−39.0%+18.0%—20.6%+18.8%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe20222018201520082006199780/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
FAST Fastenal Company (this page)1.00+108%0.72−24.4%−1.6%−11.8%−12.3%−7.1%−16.0%23.4%+16.7%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.15+479%1.55+54.1%−24.5%+12.6%−39.6%−5.8%+29.1%20.2%+21.6%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.04+3,143%1.47+1.3%−16.3%−6.0%−20.5%−26.0%—22.4%+35.1%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.42+1,636%1.46+17.0%+0.8%+67.7%−15.2%+38.9%—23.8%+30.1%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation0.25+413%1.44+51.8%−28.4%−4.5%−40.4%−1.2%+96.3%20.6%+20.9%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.23+690%1.41+86.6%−8.2%+17.4%———21.1%+23.6%
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Common questions

What was FAST's worst drawdown?

FAST's deepest decline since it began trading in 1987 was 63.3%, from August 1997 to October 1998. It took nine months from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were FAST's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, FAST's best year was 2011, when it returned 48.5%. Its worst was 2022, with a return of -24.4%.

Is there a better investment than FAST?

Among FAST's popular alternatives, GWW earned more than FAST over the past 5 years with similar volatility: 26.3% a year at 24.9% volatility, against 15.8% a year at 24.6%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, TJX (specialty retail) earned more than FAST with less volatility over the past 5 years: 19.9% a year at 22.3% volatility, against 15.8% a year at 24.6%.

Is FAST more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. FAST's volatility over the past 5 years was 24.6%, 1.4 times the S&P 500's 17.1%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, FAST's return lands within 24.6% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is FAST's Sharpe ratio?

FAST's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.72, against 0.79 for the S&P 500, so FAST earned less for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.

How correlated is FAST with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, FAST's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.46 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against FAST instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a FAST holding.

What are the best alternatives to FAST?

Of the 17 popular alternatives we compared, one outperformed FAST in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: GWW.

Did FAST outperform the S&P 500?

FAST finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 16 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +14.0%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did FAST do in stock market crashes?

FAST fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in seven of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in two. The clearest case was the dot-com bust, when FAST fell 36.4% and the S&P 500 fell 47.5%.

What diversifies FAST?

These had a low correlation with FAST over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.40), DXJ (correlation 0.27) and MLPX (correlation 0.42); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.15), CLS (correlation 0.04) and FIX (correlation 0.42). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

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