Which has grown faster, AI or FAST?

Over the past five years, FAST grew revenue faster — AI at a 6.44% CAGR versus FAST at 8.19%.

Does AI or FAST pay a bigger dividend?

FAST pays a dividend (1.98% yield) while AI does not currently pay one.

Is AI or FAST more profitable?

FAST runs the higher net margin — AI at -187.95% versus FAST at 15.39%.

Which has been the better investment, AI or FAST?

Over the past 5-year, FAST delivered the higher annualized total return — AI at -29.02% versus FAST at 18.42%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

C3.ai, Inc. (AI) vs Fastenal Company (FAST)

FAST leads on 7 of 8 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of C3.ai, Inc. and Fastenal Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — AI vs FAST

growth of $100 · last 6y

AI -91.6%FAST +92.4%FAST compounded faster

Log scale — wide-divergence pair

AI FAST

AI vs FAST: by the numbers

•FAST is the larger company ($53.46B vs $1.55B market cap).
•FAST is profitable (15.39% net margin) while AI runs a net loss (-187.95%).
•FAST grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.19% vs 6.44% CAGR).
•FAST pays a dividend (1.98% yield) while AI does not currently pay one.

Which is better, AI or FAST?

Metric tally: AI 1 · FAST 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthFAST(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

QualityFAST(higher ROIC)

Valuation

Metric	AI	FAST
P/E ratio	—	40.85
Forward P/E	—	37.45
P/S ratio	6.37	6.35
P/B ratio	2.44●	13.43
PEG ratio	—	3.66
EV / EBITDA	—	29.78
FCF yield	—	2.17%

Profitability

Metric	AI	FAST
Gross margin	30.92%	44.89%●
Operating margin	-194.86%	20.25%●
Net margin	-187.95%	15.39%●
ROE	-71.95%	32.58%●
ROIC	-68.71%	28.17%●

Dividends

Metric	AI	FAST
Dividend yield	—	1.98%
Payout ratio	—	83.64%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	AI	FAST
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	6.44%	8.19%●
EPS CAGR (5Y)	—	7.96%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	—	3.42%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	-29.02%	14.87%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, AI or FAST?: It depends on your goal. growth: FAST (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: FAST (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, FAST leads 7 to 1.
Which has grown faster, AI or FAST?: Over the past five years, FAST grew revenue faster — AI at a 6.44% CAGR versus FAST at 8.19%.
Does AI or FAST pay a bigger dividend?: FAST pays a dividend (1.98% yield) while AI does not currently pay one.
Is AI or FAST more profitable?: FAST runs the higher net margin — AI at -187.95% versus FAST at 15.39%.
Which has been the better investment, AI or FAST?: Over the past 5-year, FAST delivered the higher annualized total return — AI at -29.02% versus FAST at 18.42%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full AI analysis Full FAST analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

C3.ai P/E ratio Fastenal P/E ratio C3.ai dividend yield Fastenal dividend yield C3.ai ROE Fastenal ROE C3.ai operating margin Fastenal operating margin C3.ai revenue growth Fastenal revenue growth C3.ai free cash flow Fastenal free cash flow

C3.ai & Fastenal appear in these rankings

Highest ROE Stocks Highest ROIC Stocks Best 10-Year Total Return Stocks

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.