Is AME or FAST cheaper?

On trailing earnings, AME is cheaper: AME trades at a 34.31 P/E and FAST at 40.85.

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 8.19%.

Does AME or FAST pay a bigger dividend?

AME yields 0.42% and FAST yields 1.98% 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 15.39%.

Which has been the better investment, AME or FAST?

Over the past 10-year, FAST delivered the higher annualized total return — AME at 17.52% versus FAST at 18.42%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

AMETEK, Inc. (AME) vs Fastenal Company (FAST)

AME leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of AMETEK, 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 — AME vs FAST

growth of $100 · last 30y

AME +7019.7%FAST +3226.4%AME compounded faster

AME FAST

AME vs FAST: by the numbers

•FAST is the larger company ($53.46B vs $52.06B market cap).
•AME trades at the lower earnings multiple (34.31 vs 40.85 P/E).
•AME converts more revenue to profit (20.11% vs 15.39% net margin).
•AME grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.78% vs 8.19% CAGR).
•FAST pays the higher dividend yield (1.98% vs 0.42%).

Which is better, AME or FAST?

Metric tally: AME 10 · FAST 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAME(lower P/E)

GrowthAME(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeFAST(higher dividend yield)

QualityFAST(higher ROIC)

Valuation

Metric	AME	FAST
P/E ratio	34.31●	40.85
Forward P/E	25.78●	37.45
P/S ratio	6.87	6.35●
P/B ratio	4.78●	13.43
PEG ratio	4.05	3.66●
EV / EBITDA	23.88●	29.78
FCF yield	3.26%●	2.17%

Profitability

Metric	AME	FAST
Gross margin	36.56%	44.89%●
Operating margin	26.17%●	20.25%
Net margin	20.11%●	15.39%
ROE	13.99%	32.58%●
ROIC	11.04%	28.17%●

Dividends

Metric	AME	FAST
Dividend yield	0.42%	1.98%●
Payout ratio	14.95%	83.64%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	AME	FAST
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	10.78%●	8.19%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	11.06%●	7.96%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	6.90%●	3.42%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	11.51%	14.87%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, AME or FAST?: It depends on your goal. value: AME (lower P/E); growth: AME (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: FAST (higher dividend yield); quality: FAST (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AME leads 10 to 7.
Is AME or FAST cheaper?: On trailing earnings, AME is cheaper: AME trades at a 34.31 P/E and FAST at 40.85.
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 8.19%.
Does AME or FAST pay a bigger dividend?: AME yields 0.42% and FAST yields 1.98% 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 15.39%.
Which has been the better investment, AME or FAST?: Over the past 10-year, FAST delivered the higher annualized total return — AME at 17.52% versus FAST at 18.42%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full AME analysis Full FAST analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

AMETEK P/E ratio Fastenal P/E ratio AMETEK dividend yield Fastenal dividend yield AMETEK ROE Fastenal ROE AMETEK operating margin Fastenal operating margin AMETEK revenue growth Fastenal revenue growth AMETEK free cash flow Fastenal free cash flow

AMETEK & 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.