Is CTAS or FAST cheaper?

On trailing earnings, CTAS is cheaper: CTAS trades at a 35.79 P/E and FAST at 40.39.

Which has grown faster, CTAS or FAST?

Over the past five years, CTAS grew revenue faster — CTAS at a 9.83% CAGR versus FAST at 8.19%.

Does CTAS or FAST pay a bigger dividend?

CTAS yields 1.06% and FAST yields 2.00% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is CTAS or FAST more profitable?

CTAS runs the higher net margin — CTAS at 17.57% versus FAST at 15.39%.

Which has been the better investment, CTAS or FAST?

Over the past 10-year, CTAS delivered the higher annualized total return — CTAS at 23.15% versus FAST at 18.32%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Cintas Corporation (CTAS) vs Fastenal Company (FAST)

CTAS leads on 12 of 16 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Cintas Corporation and Fastenal Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 17, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — CTAS vs FAST

growth of $100 · last 30y

CTAS +3669.8%FAST +3186.7%CTAS compounded faster

CTAS FAST

CTAS vs FAST: by the numbers

•CTAS is the larger company ($67.88B vs $52.83B market cap).
•CTAS trades at the lower earnings multiple (35.79 vs 40.39 P/E).
•CTAS converts more revenue to profit (17.57% vs 15.39% net margin).
•CTAS grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.83% vs 8.19% CAGR).
•FAST pays the higher dividend yield (2.00% vs 1.06%).

Which is better, CTAS or FAST?

Metric tally: CTAS 12 · FAST 4

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCTAS(lower P/E)

GrowthCTAS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeFAST(higher dividend yield)

QualityFAST(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	CTAS	FAST
P/E ratio	35.79●	40.39
Forward P/E	31.20●	37.02
P/S ratio	6.26	6.28
P/B ratio	14.41	13.28●
PEG ratio	3.08●	3.66
EV / EBITDA	23.60●	28.07
FCF yield	2.59%●	2.20%

Profitability

Metric	CTAS	FAST
Gross margin	50.36%●	44.89%
Operating margin	22.95%●	20.25%
Net margin	17.57%●	15.39%
ROE	40.46%●	32.58%
ROIC	22.95%	28.17%●

Dividends

Metric	CTAS	FAST
Dividend yield	1.06%	2.00%●
Payout ratio	40.18%	83.64%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	CTAS	FAST
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	9.83%●	8.19%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	16.48%●	7.96%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	9.81%●	3.42%
Total return CAGR (5Y)	14.47%	15.59%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, CTAS or FAST?: It depends on your goal. value: CTAS (lower P/E); growth: CTAS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: FAST (higher dividend yield); quality: FAST (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CTAS leads 12 to 4.
Is CTAS or FAST cheaper?: On trailing earnings, CTAS is cheaper: CTAS trades at a 35.79 P/E and FAST at 40.39.
Which has grown faster, CTAS or FAST?: Over the past five years, CTAS grew revenue faster — CTAS at a 9.83% CAGR versus FAST at 8.19%.
Does CTAS or FAST pay a bigger dividend?: CTAS yields 1.06% and FAST yields 2.00% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CTAS or FAST more profitable?: CTAS runs the higher net margin — CTAS at 17.57% versus FAST at 15.39%.
Which has been the better investment, CTAS or FAST?: Over the past 10-year, CTAS delivered the higher annualized total return — CTAS at 23.15% versus FAST at 18.32%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full CTAS analysis Full FAST analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

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

Cintas & Fastenal appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Dividend Aristocrats Highest ROE Stocks Highest ROIC 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 17, 2026.