Fastenal Company (FAST)
Profitability ratios
Return on sales
| Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Sep 30, 2021 | Jun 30, 2021 | Mar 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Sep 30, 2020 | Jun 30, 2020 | Mar 31, 2020 | Dec 31, 2019 | Sep 30, 2019 | Jun 30, 2019 | Mar 31, 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross profit margin | 45.70% | 45.70% | 45.70% | 45.94% | 46.17% | 46.45% | 46.58% | 46.58% | 46.27% | 46.02% | 45.76% | 45.23% | 45.52% | 45.82% | 46.31% | 46.96% | 47.25% | 47.46% | 47.68% | 38.53% |
| Operating profit margin | 20.83% | 20.73% | 20.76% | 20.90% | 20.87% | 20.89% | 20.75% | 20.61% | 20.28% | 20.26% | 20.26% | 20.22% | 20.24% | 20.08% | 20.06% | 19.82% | 19.86% | 19.93% | 19.93% | 16.17% |
| Pretax margin | 20.73% | 20.57% | 20.56% | 20.69% | 20.67% | 20.73% | 20.61% | 20.45% | 20.12% | 20.09% | 20.09% | 20.06% | 20.08% | 19.91% | 19.87% | 19.61% | 19.61% | 19.65% | 19.66% | 15.95% |
| Net profit margin | 15.74% | 15.60% | 15.54% | 15.62% | 15.60% | 15.76% | 15.73% | 15.66% | 15.41% | 15.26% | 15.25% | 15.24% | 15.23% | 15.14% | 15.09% | 14.85% | 14.86% | 14.80% | 14.77% | 12.16% |
Fastenal Co.'s profitability ratios have shown consistency in recent quarters, with minor fluctuations. The gross profit margin has ranged between 45.61% and 46.49% over the past eight quarters, indicating stable profitability from sales after accounting for the cost of goods sold.
The operating profit margin, a measure of efficiency in managing operating expenses, has hovered around 20.56% to 20.86%, highlighting the company's ability to generate profits from its core business activities effectively.
The pretax margin and net profit margin, reflecting the company's overall profitability before and after tax deductions, have shown similar patterns, ranging from 15.51% to 20.72% for the pretax margin and from 15.57% to 15.73% for the net profit margin. This demonstrates Fastenal Co.'s consistent ability to generate profits relative to its total sales.
Overall, the stability and healthy levels of profitability ratios suggest that Fastenal Co. has been effectively managing its operations and costs, maintaining a solid performance in generating profits over the analyzed period.
Return on investment
| Dec 31, 2023 | Sep 30, 2023 | Jun 30, 2023 | Mar 31, 2023 | Dec 31, 2022 | Sep 30, 2022 | Jun 30, 2022 | Mar 31, 2022 | Dec 31, 2021 | Sep 30, 2021 | Jun 30, 2021 | Mar 31, 2021 | Dec 31, 2020 | Sep 30, 2020 | Jun 30, 2020 | Mar 31, 2020 | Dec 31, 2019 | Sep 30, 2019 | Jun 30, 2019 | Mar 31, 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operating return on assets (Operating ROA) | 34.25% | 32.80% | 32.78% | 32.53% | 31.95% | 30.72% | 29.63% | 28.99% | 28.32% | 27.97% | 27.66% | 28.24% | 28.80% | 27.17% | 27.12% | 27.12% | 27.82% | 27.57% | 27.48% | 28.10% |
| Return on assets (ROA) | 25.88% | 24.67% | 24.54% | 24.30% | 23.90% | 23.18% | 22.46% | 22.03% | 21.52% | 21.08% | 20.83% | 21.28% | 21.67% | 20.49% | 20.41% | 20.32% | 20.81% | 20.48% | 20.37% | 21.13% |
| Return on total capital | 43.19% | 41.18% | 41.94% | 42.92% | 41.35% | 39.87% | 39.01% | 37.31% | 36.10% | 35.85% | 35.52% | 36.53% | 36.87% | 34.35% | 34.77% | 34.36% | 35.16% | 34.75% | 34.41% | 35.62% |
| Return on equity (ROE) | 34.49% | 32.72% | 33.23% | 34.01% | 34.36% | 33.93% | 32.45% | 31.32% | 30.41% | 30.02% | 30.13% | 31.12% | 31.43% | 29.17% | 29.96% | 30.09% | 29.67% | 30.20% | 30.56% | 32.19% |
Fastenal Co. has shown consistent profitability growth based on the profitability ratios.
The Operating ROA has been steadily increasing over the past four quarters, reaching 34.25% in Q4 2023 from 28.99% in Q1 2022. This indicates that the company is effectively utilizing its assets to generate operating profits.
The ROA has also seen a positive trend, rising from 22.03% in Q1 2022 to 25.88% in Q4 2023. This suggests that Fastenal Co. is efficiently generating profits relative to its total assets.
The Return on Total Capital has shown a similar positive trajectory, increasing from 36.93% in Q1 2022 to 42.36% in Q4 2023. This demonstrates that the company is effectively generating returns on its total invested capital.
Lastly, the ROE has shown steady growth, rising from 31.32% in Q1 2022 to 34.49% in Q4 2023. This indicates that Fastenal Co. is effectively utilizing shareholder equity to generate profits.
Overall, the profitability ratios suggest that Fastenal Co. has been successful in generating profits and maximizing returns for both investors and shareholders.