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Fastenal Hits Estimates in Solid Quarter

Just the facts, Fool.

By Seth Jayson – Updated Apr 7, 2017 at 5:44PM EST

Fastenal (Nasdaq: FAST) reported earnings on April 12. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended March 31 (Q1), Fastenal met expectations on both revenue and earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, both revenue and GAAP earnings per share increased significantly.

Gross margin shrank, while operating margin and net margin expanded.

Revenue details
Fastenal chalked up revenue of $768.9 million. The nine analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ expected revenue of $768.6 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 20% higher than the prior-year quarter's $640.6 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
EPS came in at $0.34. The 10 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.34 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.34 for Q1 were 26% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.27 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 51.3%, 70 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 21.0%, 90 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 13.0%, 60 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $829.5 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.38.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $3.25 billion. The average EPS estimate is $1.49.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 805 members rating the stock outperform and 70 members rating it underperform. Among 276 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 260 give Fastenal a green thumbs-up, and 16 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Fastenal is hold, with an average price target of $46.86.

Read Next

About the Author

Seth Jayson
Seth Jayson is an advisor on The Motley Fool’s Trends service, overseeing the AI and Spotters segments of the scorecard. Seth closely follows technology companies, particularly hyperscalers and their suppliers. He also stays up to date and recommends companies in homebuilding, specialty online, defense, aerospace, and other sectors. He has spent more than two decades researching, reporting on, and recommending stocks to Motley Fool members. A former Motley Fool member himself, Seth holds a B.A. from Carleton College and two master’s degrees from NYU and the University of Missouri in art history and journalism respectively.
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Stocks Mentioned

Fastenal Stock Quote
Fastenal
NASDAQ: FAST
$46.26
(-1.15%)-$0.54

*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.

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