Why Fastenal (FAST) Stock Is Down Today

Fastenal Company (FAST) is down 3.8% today. Here is some analysis on what might have caused this price movement.

Analysis: The most likely driver is a mixed reaction to Fastenal’s second-quarter update released on July 14, 2026. Sales growth was strong and revenue appears to have topped expectations, but earnings were only roughly in line and gross margin compressed, which could be prompting investors to focus on profitability rather than headline growth.

Details:

Fastenal’s quarterly revenue rose about 14.7% year over year to roughly $2.39 billion, while adjusted earnings were about $0.33 per share.

Gross margin narrowed by about 75 basis points to 44.6%, suggesting cost or mix pressure even as sales remained healthy.

The quarter’s sales growth was supported by share gains with larger customers, pricing actions, and continued demand across manufacturing and non-residential construction markets.

This could also be a valuation reaction: when a stock heads into earnings with solid momentum, an in-line profit result and weaker margin profile can still lead to selling.

Sources:

Fastenal Investor Relations, Zacks, MarketBeat

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 insiders have traded $FAST stock on the open market 2 times in the past 6 months. Of those trades, 0 have been purchases and 2 have been sales.

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

REYNE K WISECUP sold 36,920 shares for an estimated $1,747,922
SCOTT SATTERLEE sold 15,964 shares for an estimated $705,453

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

$FAST Hedge Fund Activity

We have seen 564 institutional investors add shares of $FAST stock to their portfolio, and 575 decrease their positions in their most recent quarter.

Here are some of the largest recent moves:

CHARLES SCHWAB INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC removed 7,909,115 shares (-16.7%) from their portfolio in Q1 2026, for an estimated $366,982,936
MORGAN STANLEY added 5,082,700 shares (+24.6%) to their portfolio in Q1 2026, for an estimated $235,837,280
WELLINGTON MANAGEMENT GROUP LLP added 4,496,868 shares (+37.2%) to their portfolio in Q1 2026, for an estimated $208,654,675
BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON CORP removed 3,005,176 shares (-10.9%) from their portfolio in Q1 2026, for an estimated $139,440,166
PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP INC removed 2,822,940 shares (-24.4%) from their portfolio in Q1 2026, for an estimated $130,984,416
HOLOCENE ADVISORS, LP added 2,624,456 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q1 2026, for an estimated $121,774,758
MARINER, LLC added 2,598,583 shares (+161.8%) to their portfolio in Q1 2026, for an estimated $120,574,251

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

$FAST Government Contracts

We have seen $8,302,428 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

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

$FAST Price Targets

Multiple analysts have issued price targets for $FAST recently. We have seen 4 analysts offer price targets for $FAST in the last 6 months, with a median target of $47.5.

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
David Manthey from Baird set a target price of $50.0 on 04/14/2026

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