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FAST vs GWW
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Fastenal (FAST) vs. W.W. Grainger (GWW) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Fastenal (FAST) and W.W. Grainger (GWW) are leading industrial distributors with overlapping customer bases but differing scale and growth profiles.
- FAST has delivered stronger net margins historically, while GWW benefits from larger revenue base and recent year-to-date outperformance.
- Both companies reported solid quarterly results in recent periods, with FAST meeting Q2 2026 expectations and GWW raising full-year guidance after Q1.
- Recent market activity shows GWW with more pronounced price appreciation over the past three months compared to FAST’s more modest gains.
- Sector exposure to industrial production and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) demand remains a shared driver, though execution and margin trends differ.
- Market sentiment reflects cautious optimism for both amid broader economic data, with valuation and momentum metrics providing key points of contrast.
Introduction
Fastenal (FAST) and W.W. Grainger (GWW) operate in the industrial distribution sector, supplying tools, safety equipment, and maintenance products to businesses across manufacturing, construction, and other end markets. This comparison examines their recent performance, business models, and positioning to assist institutional and individual investors evaluating relative value within the same industry. Traders monitoring short-term momentum and longer-term holders assessing competitive dynamics may find the analysis relevant for portfolio allocation decisions in the current environment.
FAST Overview and Recent Performance
Fastenal (FAST) distributes fasteners, tools, and related industrial supplies through a network of branches and e-commerce channels. In recent weeks, the stock has shown measured gains following second-quarter 2026 earnings that aligned with analyst estimates. Broader market activity has reflected steady demand in core end markets, tempered by earlier gross margin pressures noted in prior quarters. Sentiment has remained generally stable, supported by consistent share gains and pricing discipline, though relative performance has lagged some peers amid mixed industrial production indicators.
GWW Overview and Recent Performance
W.W. Grainger (GWW) provides maintenance, repair, and operations products through direct sales, branches, and digital platforms, with a significant Endless Assortment segment. Recent market activity has featured continued price appreciation, building on strong first-quarter 2026 results that prompted raised full-year guidance. Performance has been supported by sales growth and operating margin expansion, contributing to positive momentum ahead of the upcoming second-quarter earnings release. Sentiment reflects resilience in core operations despite broader economic variables.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Fastenal (FAST) operates with a more asset-light model emphasizing branch density and vending solutions, while W.W. Grainger (GWW) leverages greater scale in direct sales and a diversified product assortment. Growth drivers for FAST center on share gains in fasteners and safety products; GWW benefits from broader MRO demand and its Endless Assortment offerings. Recent momentum has favored GWW on a three-month basis, contrasting with FAST’s steadier but less pronounced movement. Risk factors include cyclical exposure for both, with FAST showing higher historical margins and GWW demonstrating stronger recent revenue expansion. Sector sentiment remains tied to industrial activity, where GWW’s larger footprint provides different sensitivity to volume shifts compared to FAST’s focused distribution approach.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, relative positioning, and recent catalysts, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a probabilistic preference to W.W. Grainger (GWW) over Fastenal (FAST). Stronger year-to-date price performance, raised guidance following robust quarterly results, and positioning above key moving averages contribute to this assessment. Fastenal (FAST) maintains advantages in margin stability, yet the combination of momentum and outlook metrics tilts the balance modestly toward GWW in the present environment. This evaluation reflects data-driven probabilities rather than certainty, and relative standings can shift with new industrial data or earnings outcomes.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is FAST is a Hold and GWW is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
FAST’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileGWW’s FA Score has 3 green FA rating(s).
- FAST’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- GWW’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
FAST’s TA Score shows that 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while GWW’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- FAST’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 6 bearish.
- GWW’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
FAST (@Electronics Distributors) experienced а +0.47% price change this week, while GWW (@Electronics Distributors) price change was -0.79% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronics Distributors industry was -2.26%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +5.22%, and the average quarterly price growth was +6.71%.
Reported Earning Dates
FAST is expected to report earnings on Oct 14, 2026.
GWW is expected to report earnings on Nov 04, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronics Distributors (-2.26% weekly)Electronics distributors are companies that are involved in distribution of one or more of the following: electronic components, computer products/ peripherals and software products & services. Several electronics distributors are also becoming the point of contact for technical/pre- & post-sale support in many cases, in an attempt to bolster their position in the market. Tariffs and/or cross-border trade barriers are some of the potential threats to the electronics supply chain, but that could also potentially lead to re-directing to markets where tariffs/restrictions are lower depending on demand. The industry is also vulnerable in the event of economic slowdowns. Arrow Electronics, Inc., SYNNEX Corporation and Versum Materials, Inc. are some of the major electronics distributors in the U.S.
| FAST | GWW | FAST / GWW | |
| Capitalization | 58.8B | 61.8B | 95% |
| EBITDA | 1.96B | 3.02B | 65% |
| Gain YTD | 29.835 | 30.811 | 97% |
| P/E Ratio | 43.81 | 33.45 | 131% |
| Revenue | 8.75B | 18.8B | 47% |
| Total Cash | 205M | 585M | 35% |
| Total Debt | 442M | 2.78B | 16% |
FAST | GWW | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 58 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 88 Overvalued | 85 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 60 | 10 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 30 | 22 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 23 | 48 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 55 | 21 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 90 | 85 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
GWW's Valuation (85) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as FAST (88). This means that GWW’s stock grew similarly to FAST’s over the last 12 months.
GWW's Profit vs Risk Rating (10) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is somewhat better than the same rating for FAST (60). This means that GWW’s stock grew somewhat faster than FAST’s over the last 12 months.
GWW's SMR Rating (22) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as FAST (30). This means that GWW’s stock grew similarly to FAST’s over the last 12 months.
FAST's Price Growth Rating (23) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is in the same range as GWW (48). This means that FAST’s stock grew similarly to GWW’s over the last 12 months.
GWW's P/E Growth Rating (21) in the Wholesale Distributors industry is somewhat better than the same rating for FAST (55). This means that GWW’s stock grew somewhat faster than FAST’s over the last 12 months.
| FAST | GWW | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 52% | 3 days ago 55% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 53% | 3 days ago 42% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 48% | 3 days ago 65% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 41% | N/A |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 65% | 3 days ago 49% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 67% | 3 days ago 50% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 63% | 10 days ago 62% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 10 days ago 49% | 4 days ago 48% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 56% | 3 days ago 69% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 57% | 3 days ago 46% |
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FAST and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, FAST has been loosely correlated with GWW. These tickers have moved in lockstep 54% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if FAST jumps, then GWW could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To FAST | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAST | 100% | +1.18% | ||
| GWW - FAST | 54% Loosely correlated | +0.92% | ||
| WSO - FAST | 40% Loosely correlated | -0.80% | ||
| FERG - FAST | 39% Loosely correlated | +1.55% | ||
| QXO - FAST | 38% Loosely correlated | +3.15% | ||
| SITE - FAST | 33% Poorly correlated | +0.37% | ||
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GWW and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, GWW has been loosely correlated with AIT. These tickers have moved in lockstep 51% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if GWW jumps, then AIT could also see price increases.