ITW vs. FAST

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

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

Performance

ITW vs. FAST - Performance Comparison

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

ITW vs. FAST - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
FAST Fastenal Company	16.26%	13.98%	13.53%	41.31%	-24.34%	34.06%	36.60%	45.08%	-1.61%	19.66%

Fundamentals

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

Returns By Period

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

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%

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%

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

Return for Risk

ITW vs. FAST — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

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

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.

ITW vs. FAST - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

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

	ITW	FAST	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	0.33	0.87	-0.54
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	0.65	1.35	-0.71
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.08	1.17	-0.09
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.62	1.11	-0.50
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	1.58	2.40	-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.

ITW vs. FAST - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current ITW Sharpe Ratio is 0.33, which is lower than the FAST Sharpe Ratio of 0.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of ITW and FAST, 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

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

Correlation

The correlation between ITW and FAST 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

ITW vs. FAST - Dividend Comparison

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

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
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%

Drawdowns

ITW vs. FAST - Drawdown Comparison

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

Drawdown Indicators

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

Volatility

ITW vs. FAST - Volatility Comparison

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) and Fastenal Company (FAST) have volatilities of 6.12% and 6.41%, 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

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

Financials

ITW vs. FAST - Profitability Comparison

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

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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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%.

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%.