AMETEK, Inc. (AME) vs Fastenal Company (FAST)
A side-by-side comparison of AMETEK, Inc. and Fastenal Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AME
AMETEK, Inc.
$241.43IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
FAST
Fastenal Company
$48.10IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — AME vs FAST
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yAME +10837.0%FAST +6196.4%AME compounded faster
AME FAST
AME vs FAST: by the numbers
- •AME is the larger company ($55.34B vs $55.19B market cap).
- •AME trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (36.73 vs 40.37 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •AME converts more revenue to profit (20.11% vs 15.45% net margin).
- •AME grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.78% vs 8.96% CAGR).
- •FAST pays the higher dividend yield (1.93% vs 0.53%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AME | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 36.73 | 40.37 |
| Forward P/E | 29.82 | 37.73 |
| P/S ratio | 7.35 | 6.26 |
| P/B ratio | 5.12 | 13.47 |
| PEG ratio | 4.05 | 3.65 |
| EV / EBITDA | 23.89 | 28.83 |
| FCF yield | 3.05% | 1.88% |
Profitability
| Metric | AME | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 36.56% | 44.70% |
| Operating margin | 26.17% | 20.29% |
| Net margin | 20.11% | 15.45% |
| ROE | 13.99% | 33.23% |
| ROIC | 10.99% | 28.17% |
Dividends
| Metric | AME | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.53% | 1.93% |
| Payout ratio | 20.25% | 83.64% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AME | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 10.78% | 8.96% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 11.06% | 7.96% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 6.90% | 2.54% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 12.89% | 15.08% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AME or FAST?
- AME has the lower trailing P/E: AME trades at 36.73 and FAST at 40.37. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AME or FAST?
- Over the past five years, AME grew revenue faster — AME at a 10.78% CAGR versus FAST at 8.96%.
- Does AME or FAST pay a bigger dividend?
- AME yields 0.53% and FAST yields 1.93% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AME or FAST more profitable?
- AME runs the higher net margin — AME at 20.11% versus FAST at 15.45%.
- How have AME and FAST total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AME delivered 18.55% and FAST delivered 19.42% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
AMETEK P/E ratioFastenal P/E ratioAMETEK dividend yieldFastenal dividend yieldAMETEK ROEFastenal ROEAMETEK operating marginFastenal operating marginAMETEK revenue growthFastenal revenue growthAMETEK free cash flowFastenal free cash flow
AMETEK & Fastenal appear in these rankings
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 July 28, 2026.