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Fastenal Falls as Investors Look Past Strong Q3 Results to Softer Growth Targets

Investivoq PriceTracker

Fastenal Company (FAST) is down 3.5% today. Here is some analysis on what might have caused this price movement.

Analysis: The selloff appears tied to a mixed read on Fastenal’s third-quarter update. While revenue, earnings, and operating margin improved sharply, investors may be focusing on a reduced full-year target for weighted device signings and ongoing gross-margin pressure from the shift toward larger customers. Broader weakness in the U.S. stock market likely added to the pressure.

Details:

  • Fastenal reported third-quarter net sales of $2.46 billion, up 15.5% from a year earlier, while diluted earnings per share rose to $0.35 from $0.29.
  • Operating margin improved to 21.5% from 20.7%, helped by selling and administrative expense leverage as volumes increased.
  • Gross margin slipped to 44.8% from 45.3%, with the company citing a larger mix of bigger customers, which can carry lower gross margins even when they support higher profit dollars.
  • Fastenal lowered its 2026 goal for weighted FASTBin and FASTVend device signings to 27,000 to 29,000 MEUs from 28,000 to 30,000, which may have tempered enthusiasm despite the otherwise solid quarter.

    • Sources:

    Fastenal Investor Relations, AP News

    Disclaimer: This price movement analysis was generated with the help of AI. Please double-check the information provided for mistakes.

    $FAST Insider Trading Activity

    FAST Insider Trades

    $FAST insiders have traded $FAST stock on the open market 6 times in the past 6 months. Of those trades, 0 have been purchases and 6 have been sales.

    Here’s a breakdown of recent trading of $FAST stock by insiders over the last 6 months:

    • RITA J. HEISE has made 0 purchases and 2 sales selling 34,964 shares for an estimated $1,750,102.
    • DONNALEE KATHLEEN PAPENFUSS (EVP-Strategy and Communication) has made 0 purchases and 2 sales selling 9,258 shares for an estimated $475,758.
    • MICHAEL J ANCIUS has made 0 purchases and 2 sales selling 6,000 shares for an estimated $303,000.

    To track insider transactions, check out Investivoq's insider trading dashboard. You can access data on insider stock transactions through the Investivoq API insider transaction endpoint.

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    $FAST Hedge Fund Activity

    We have seen 661 institutional investors add shares of $FAST stock to their portfolio, and 597 decrease their positions in their most recent quarter.

    Here are some of the largest recent moves:

    • SIXTH STREET PARTNERS MANAGEMENT COMPANY, L.P. added 42,893,434 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q2 2026, for an estimated $2,060,171,635
    • INVESCO LTD. added 25,435,707 shares (+180.1%) to their portfolio in Q2 2026, for an estimated $1,221,677,007
    • JPMORGAN CHASE & CO added 15,727,874 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q2 2026, for an estimated $755,409,788
    • CANTILLON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC removed 7,790,620 shares (-95.4%) from their portfolio in Q2 2026, for an estimated $374,183,478
    • BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON CORP removed 6,763,737 shares (-27.4%) from their portfolio in Q2 2026, for an estimated $324,862,288
    • WELLINGTON MANAGEMENT GROUP LLP removed 5,837,388 shares (-35.2%) from their portfolio in Q2 2026, for an estimated $280,369,745
    • MORGAN STANLEY removed 4,881,285 shares (-19.0%) from their portfolio in Q2 2026, for an estimated $234,448,118

    To track hedge funds' stock portfolios, check out Investivoq's institutional holdings dashboard. You can access data on hedge funds moves and 13F filings through the Investivoq API 13F endpoint.

    $FAST Government Contracts

    We have seen $8,820,932 of award payments to $FAST over the last year.

    Here are some of the awards which we have have seen pay out the most over the last year:

    • THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO PROVIDE CONSUMABLE SUPPLIES AND SHOP OPERATING MATERIALS, IN ACCORDANCE ...: $600,000
    • FY26 DCSC-26-RFQ-70 FASTENAL COMPANY PARTIALLY FUNDED BPA FOR HARDWARE SUPPLIES- BASE YR. PERIOD OF PERFORM...: $245,000

    To track government contracts to publicy traded companies, check out Investivoq's government contracts dashboard. You can access data on government contracts through the Investivoq API government contracts endpoint.

    $FAST Price Targets

    Multiple analysts have issued price targets for $FAST recently. We have seen 3 analysts offer price targets for $FAST in the last 6 months, with a median target of $47.0.

    Here are some recent targets:

    • Chris Snyder from Morgan Stanley set a target price of $48.0 on 07/08/2026
    • Guy Hardwick from Barclays set a target price of $47.0 on 07/06/2026
    • Chris Dankert from DA Davidson set a target price of $46.0 on 06/16/2026

    This article is not financial advice. See Investivoq's disclaimers for more information. Note that there may be inaccuracies due to mistakes in ticker-mapping, and other anomalies.