FAST vs. ITW

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Fastenal Company (FAST) and Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW).

Performance

FAST vs. ITW - Performance Comparison

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

FAST vs. ITW - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
FAST Fastenal Company	16.26%	13.98%	13.53%	41.31%	-24.34%	34.06%	36.60%	45.08%	-1.61%	19.66%
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc.	6.35%	-0.43%	-0.97%	21.56%	-8.46%	23.60%	16.42%	45.60%	-22.10%	38.92%

Fundamentals

Market Cap FAST : $53.39B ITW : $75.54B
EPS FAST : $1.09 ITW : $10.51
PE Ratio FAST : 42.41 ITW : 24.76
PEG Ratio FAST : 4.98 ITW : 4.11
PS Ratio FAST : 6.51 ITW : 4.73
PB Ratio FAST : 13.54 ITW : 23.42
Total Revenue (TTM) FAST : $8.20B ITW : $16.04B
Gross Profit (TTM) FAST : $3.69B ITW : $7.05B
EBITDA (TTM) FAST : $1.79B ITW : $4.55B

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, FAST achieves a 16.26% return, which is significantly higher than ITW's 6.35% return. Over the past 10 years, FAST has outperformed ITW with an annualized return of 17.31%, while ITW has yielded a comparatively lower 12.28% annualized return.

FAST

• 1D: 2.84%
• 1M: 0.78%
• YTD: 16.26%
• 6M: -4.37%
• 1Y: 22.18%
• 3Y*: 22.81%
• 5Y*: 15.41%
• 10Y*: 17.31%

ITW

• 1D: 2.24%
• 1M: -9.87%
• YTD: 6.35%
• 6M: 1.10%
• 1Y: 7.61%
• 3Y*: 4.69%
• 5Y*: 5.74%
• 10Y*: 12.28%

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

Return for Risk

FAST vs. ITW — Risk / Return Rank

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

FAST

FAST Risk / Return Rank: 66
FAST Sharpe Ratio Rank: 72
FAST Sortino Ratio Rank: 65
FAST Omega Ratio Rank: 64
FAST Calmar Ratio Rank: 66
FAST Martin Ratio Rank: 65

ITW

ITW Risk / Return Rank: 52
ITW Sharpe Ratio Rank: 54
ITW Sortino Ratio Rank: 47
ITW Omega Ratio Rank: 46
ITW Calmar Ratio Rank: 57
ITW Martin Ratio Rank: 58

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. ITW - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Fastenal Company (FAST) and Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW). 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.

	FAST	ITW	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.87	0.33	+0.54
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.35	0.65	+0.71
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.17	1.08	+0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.11	0.62	+0.50
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	2.40	1.58	+0.82
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

FAST vs. ITW - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current FAST Sharpe Ratio is 0.87, which is higher than the ITW Sharpe Ratio of 0.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of FAST and ITW, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	FAST	ITW	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.87	0.33	+0.54
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.65	0.28	+0.37
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.65	0.52	+0.13
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.53	0.52	+0.01

Correlation

The correlation between FAST and ITW is 0.42, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.

Dividends

FAST vs. ITW - Dividend Comparison

FAST's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.94%, less than ITW's 2.43% yield.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FAST Fastenal Company	1.94%	2.18%	2.17%	2.75%	2.62%	1.75%	2.87%	2.35%	2.95%	2.34%	2.55%	2.74%
ITW Illinois Tool Works Inc.	2.43%	2.53%	2.29%	2.07%	2.30%	1.91%	2.17%	2.30%	2.81%	1.71%	1.96%	2.23%

Drawdowns

FAST vs. ITW - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum FAST drawdown since its inception was -63.43%, which is greater than ITW's maximum drawdown of -54.90%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for FAST and ITW.

Drawdown Indicators

	FAST	ITW	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-63.43%	-54.90%	-8.53%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-21.90%	-14.49%	-7.41%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.71%	-28.05%	-2.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-30.71%	-37.85%	+7.14%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-6.93%	-12.57%	+5.64%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.18%	-9.82%	-2.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	10.17%	5.67%	+4.50%

Volatility

FAST vs. ITW - Volatility Comparison

Fastenal Company (FAST) and Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) have volatilities of 6.41% and 6.12%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	FAST	ITW	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.41%	6.12%	+0.29%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	18.26%	15.38%	+2.88%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	25.66%	23.08%	+2.58%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	23.89%	20.87%	+3.02%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.59%	23.68%	+2.91%

Financials

FAST vs. ITW - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between Fastenal Company and Illinois Tool Works Inc. over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

FAST - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Fastenal Company reported a gross profit of 898.70M and revenue of 2.03B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 44.3%.

ITW - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Illinois Tool Works Inc. reported a gross profit of 1.81B and revenue of 4.09B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 44.2%.

FAST - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Fastenal Company reported an operating income of 384.30M and revenue of 2.03B, resulting in an operating margin of 19.0%.

ITW - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Illinois Tool Works Inc. reported an operating income of 1.09B and revenue of 4.09B, resulting in an operating margin of 26.5%.

FAST - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Fastenal Company reported a net income of 294.10M and revenue of 2.03B, resulting in a net margin of 14.5%.

ITW - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Apr 2026, Illinois Tool Works Inc. reported a net income of 790.00M and revenue of 4.09B, resulting in a net margin of 19.3%.