FAST vs. FFIV

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

FAST (Fastenal Company) and FFIV (F5 Networks, Inc.) are both stocks. FAST operates in Industrial Distribution (Industrials), while FFIV operates in Software - Infrastructure (Technology). Over the past 10 years, FAST returned 18.53%/yr vs 12.87%/yr for FFIV. At a 0.36 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

FAST vs. FFIV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Fastenal Company (FAST) and F5 Networks, Inc. (FFIV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FAST achieves a 17.31% return, which is significantly lower than FFIV's 55.20% return. Over the past 10 years, FAST has outperformed FFIV with an annualized return of 18.53%, while FFIV has yielded a comparatively lower 12.87% annualized return.

FAST

• 1D: 0.39%
• 1M: 7.65%
• YTD: 17.31%
• 6M: 12.06%
• 1Y: 12.75%
• 3Y*: 21.28%
• 5Y*: 14.88%
• 10Y*: 18.53%

FFIV

• 1D: 0.59%
• 1M: 9.26%
• YTD: 55.20%
• 6M: 50.82%
• 1Y: 38.22%
• 3Y*: 38.11%
• 5Y*: 15.50%
• 10Y*: 12.87%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

FAST vs. FFIV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FAST Fastenal Company	17.31%	13.98%	13.53%	41.31%	-24.34%	34.06%	36.60%	45.08%	-1.61%	19.66%
FFIV F5 Networks, Inc.	55.20%	1.51%	40.50%	24.72%	-41.36%	39.09%	25.99%	-13.81%	23.48%	-9.33%

Correlation

The correlation between FAST and FFIV is 0.20, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.20
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.32
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.42
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.42
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 4, 1999	0.36

The correlation between FAST and FFIV shifts across timeframes, from 0.20 (1 year) to 0.42 (10 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap FAST : $53.60B FFIV : $22.70B
EPS FAST : $1.13 FFIV : $12.19
PE Ratio FAST : 41.23 FFIV : 32.50
PEG Ratio FAST : 4.84 FFIV : 1.42
PS Ratio FAST : 6.35 FFIV : 9.54
PB Ratio FAST : 13.43 FFIV : 6.22
Total Revenue (TTM) FAST : $8.44B FFIV : $2.41B
Gross Profit (TTM) FAST : $3.79B FFIV : $2.63B
EBITDA (TTM) FAST : $1.80B FFIV : $889.95M

Return for Risk

FAST vs. FFIV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

FAST

FAST Risk / Return Rank: 53
FAST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 58
FAST Sortino Ratio Rank: 51
FAST Omega Ratio Rank: 50
FAST Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
FAST Martin Ratio Rank: 54

FFIV

FFIV Risk / Return Rank: 69
FFIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 75
FFIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
FFIV Omega Ratio Rank: 70
FFIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
FFIV Martin Ratio Rank: 64

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

FAST vs. FFIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fastenal Company (FAST) and F5 Networks, Inc. (FFIV). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	FAST	FFIV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.44	1.08	-0.63
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	0.77	1.58	-0.81
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.10	1.21	-0.11
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.50	1.04	-0.54
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	1.00	2.28	-1.28

FAST vs. FFIV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAST Sharpe Ratio is 0.44, which is lower than the FFIV Sharpe Ratio of 1.08. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAST and FFIV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

FAST vs. FFIV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAST drawdown since its inception was -63.43%, smaller than the maximum FFIV drawdown of -97.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAST and FFIV.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAST	FFIV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.43%	-97.59%	+34.16%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.90%	-34.73%	+12.83%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.90%	-34.73%	+12.83%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.71%	-47.42%	+16.71%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.71%	-54.59%	+23.88%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.09%	-3.17%	-2.92%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.16%	-40.16%	+28.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.97%	15.77%	-4.80%

Volatility

FAST vs. FFIV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Fastenal Company (FAST) is 6.20%, while F5 Networks, Inc. (FFIV) has a volatility of 8.89%. This indicates that FAST experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than FFIV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAST	FFIV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.20%	8.89%	-2.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.27%	24.72%	-5.45%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.90%	33.48%	-8.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	24.31%	29.97%	-5.66%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.77%	29.56%	-2.79%

Dividends

FAST vs. FFIV - Dividend Comparison

FAST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.98%, while FFIV has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAST Fastenal Company	1.98%	2.18%	2.17%	2.75%	2.62%	1.75%	2.87%	2.35%	2.95%	2.34%	2.55%	2.74%
FFIV F5 Networks, Inc.	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Financials

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both FAST and FFIV in my portfolio?

FAST and FFIV have a correlation of 0.20, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, FAST or FFIV?

FFIV has higher volatility (8.89%) compared to FAST (6.20%). In terms of maximum drawdown, FAST dropped -63.43% vs FFIV's -97.59%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

FFIV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.08 vs 0.44), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.