Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) vs Fastenal Company (FAST)

A side-by-side comparison of Delta Air Lines, Inc. and Fastenal Company across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnDAL vs FAST

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
DAL +136.3% (+9.0%/yr)FAST +502.5% (+19.7%/yr)FAST compounded faster over this window
200400600Start $10020182020202220242026$236$603
DAL FAST

DAL vs FAST: by the numbers

  • FAST is the larger company ($56.59B vs $52.55B market cap).
  • DAL trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (13.25 vs 41.80 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • FAST converts more revenue to profit (15.45% vs 5.79% net margin).
  • DAL grew revenue faster over the past five years (30.12% vs 8.96% CAGR).
  • FAST pays the higher dividend yield (1.96% vs 0.99%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricDALFAST
P/E ratio13.2541.80
Forward P/E12.3438.94
P/S ratio0.776.47
P/B ratio2.4113.91
EV / EBITDA7.8529.07
FCF yield6.98%1.82%

Profitability

MetricDALFAST
Gross margin27.32%44.70%
Operating margin8.08%20.29%
Net margin5.79%15.45%
ROE18.11%33.23%
ROIC7.63%30.16%

Dividends

MetricDALFAST
Dividend yield0.99%1.96%
Payout ratio12.89%81.36%

Growth (annualized)

MetricDALFAST
Revenue CAGR (5Y)30.12%8.96%
EPS CAGR (5Y)0.89%7.96%
FCF CAGR (5Y)124.85%2.54%
Total return CAGR (5Y)15.54%15.59%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, DAL or FAST?
DAL has the lower trailing P/E: DAL trades at 13.25 and FAST at 41.80. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, DAL or FAST?
Over the past five years, DAL grew revenue faster — DAL at a 30.12% CAGR versus FAST at 8.96%.
Does DAL or FAST pay a bigger dividend?
DAL yields 0.99% and FAST yields 1.96% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is DAL or FAST more profitable?
FAST runs the higher net margin — DAL at 5.79% versus FAST at 15.45%.
How have DAL and FAST total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, DAL delivered 8.85% and FAST delivered 20.13% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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 September 11, 2026.