Caterpillar, Inc. vs Fastenal Company — Stock Comparison

Caterpillar, Inc. (CAT) and Fastenal Company (FAST) are both listed on US exchanges. This page compares their Q·Score ratings, key fundamentals (P/E, margins, growth), and Wall Street analyst consensus side by side. Data sourced from Yahoo Finance and updated on each page load.

Q·Score Winner
Fastenal Company
FAST7.4/10vs 6.8/10

Fastenal Company narrowly edges Caterpillar, Inc. on Q·Score (7.4 vs 6.8 out of 10), led by Health (9.2 vs 5) and Quality (9 vs 8.2). Caterpillar, Inc. scores higher on Sentiment, reflecting stronger analyst and market sentiment. Analyst consensus targets imply greater upside for FAST (+1.7%) than for CAT (-4.1%).

Price Performance

Normalised to 100 at period start — shows relative performance.

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CATFAST

Q·Score Breakdown

6.8
Neutral
Overall
7.4
Bullish
8.2
Quality
9
5
Health
9.2
9.1
Growth
8.1
4.9
Valuation
5.5
6.3
Sentiment
4.1
CAT

Earnings growing 30% year-over-year on 22% revenue growth.

valuation metrics above sector average.

FAST

Clean balance sheet with low leverage (0.1× debt-to-equity).

29% of analysts rate it Sell or Strong Sell.

Analyst Consensus

Neutral
-4.1%
Target $945.64
26 analysts
Neutral
+1.7%
Target $46.66
12 analysts

Fundamentals

CAT
FAST
49.0×
Trailing P/E
40.6×
32.8×
Forward P/E
33.5×
13.33%
Profit Margin
15.39%
28.60%
Gross Margin
44.89%
51.33%
ROE
33.84%
22.20%
Revenue Growth
12.40%
30.20%
Earnings Growth
13.80%
1.60
Beta
0.73
0.66%
Dividend Yield
2.00%
$454.1B
Market Cap
$52.7B
52-Week Range
CAT
$35899% of range$994
FAST
$3959% of range$51

Frequently Asked Questions

CAT vs FAST: which stock scores better overall?

Based on Q·Score, Fastenal Company (FAST) scores 7.4/10 versus Caterpillar, Inc. (CAT) at 6.8/10. The Q·Score measures five dimensions: Quality, Health, Growth, Valuation, and Sentiment. For informational purposes only — not financial advice.

Which has better revenue growth: CAT or FAST?

Caterpillar, Inc. (CAT) scores higher on Growth (9.1/10 vs 8.1/10). Caterpillar, Inc. reports revenue growth (22.2% YoY) while Fastenal Company reports (12.4% YoY). Growth scores reflect revenue and earnings momentum relative to sector peers.

Is CAT or FAST more attractively valued?

Fastenal Company (FAST) scores higher on Valuation (5.5/10 vs 4.9/10). CAT trades at 32.8× P/E versus FAST at 33.5×. Valuation is assessed using P/E ratio, analyst price targets, and 52-week range positioning relative to sector peers.

What do analysts say about CAT vs FAST?

There are 26 analysts covering CAT with a consensus price target of $945.64, and 12 analysts covering FAST with a consensus target of $46.66. Analyst consensus ratings are aggregated from Wall Street research and do not constitute investment advice.

Which is more profitable: CAT or FAST?

Fastenal Company (FAST) scores higher on Quality (9/10 vs 8.2/10). Net profit margin: CAT at 13.3%, FAST at 15.4%. Quality scores reflect profit margins, return on equity, and free cash flow generation.

Which has stronger financial health: CAT or FAST?

Fastenal Company (FAST) scores higher on Financial Health (9.2/10 vs 5/10). Market beta: CAT at 1.60, FAST at 0.73. Health scores consider beta, debt-to-equity, and current ratio. All investments carry risk — this is not investment advice.

What are the market caps of CAT and FAST?

Caterpillar, Inc. (CAT) has a market capitalisation of $454.1B, while Fastenal Company (FAST) has a market cap of $52.7B. Market cap data is sourced from Yahoo Finance and reflects the most recent available figures.

Do CAT or FAST pay dividends?

CAT pays a dividend yield of 0.66%, while FAST pays a dividend yield of 2.00%. Dividend yields fluctuate with share price and company payout decisions.

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Q·Score is an educational tool and is not financial advice. Data provided by Yahoo Finance. Updated on each page load. How it's calculated →

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