Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) vs Fastenal Company (FAST)
DAL leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics.
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 June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — DAL vs FAST
growth of $100 · last 19yDAL +297.2%FAST +793.9%FAST compounded faster
DAL FAST
DAL vs FAST: by the numbers
- •DAL is the larger company ($54.57B vs $53.46B market cap).
- •DAL trades at the lower earnings multiple (12.13 vs 40.85 P/E).
- •FAST converts more revenue to profit (15.39% vs 6.87% net margin).
- •DAL grew revenue faster over the past five years (38.80% vs 8.19% CAGR).
- •FAST pays the higher dividend yield (1.98% vs 0.90%).
Which is better, DAL or FAST?
Metric tally: DAL 9 · FAST 8It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueDAL(lower P/E)
GrowthDAL(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeFAST(higher dividend yield)
QualityFAST(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | DAL | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 12.13● | 40.85 |
| Forward P/E | 15.17● | 37.40 |
| P/S ratio | 0.83● | 6.35 |
| P/B ratio | 2.66● | 13.43 |
| PEG ratio | 0.21● | 3.66 |
| EV / EBITDA | 6.95● | 29.07 |
| FCF yield | 7.24%● | 2.17% |
Profitability
| Metric | DAL | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 26.19% | 44.89%● |
| Operating margin | 8.83% | 20.25%● |
| Net margin | 6.87% | 15.39%● |
| ROE | 21.97% | 32.58%● |
| ROIC | 8.30% | 28.17%● |
Dividends
| Metric | DAL | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.90% | 1.98%● |
| Payout ratio | 9.72% | 83.64% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | DAL | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 38.80%● | 8.19% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 0.89% | 7.96%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 115.85%● | 3.42% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 13.04% | 14.87%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, DAL or FAST?
- It depends on your goal. value: DAL (lower P/E); growth: DAL (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: FAST (higher dividend yield); quality: FAST (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DAL leads 9 to 8.
- Is DAL or FAST cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, DAL is cheaper: DAL trades at a 12.13 P/E and FAST at 40.85.
- Which has grown faster, DAL or FAST?
- Over the past five years, DAL grew revenue faster — DAL at a 38.80% CAGR versus FAST at 8.19%.
- Does DAL or FAST pay a bigger dividend?
- DAL yields 0.90% and FAST yields 1.98% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is DAL or FAST more profitable?
- FAST runs the higher net margin — DAL at 6.87% versus FAST at 15.39%.
- Which has been the better investment, DAL or FAST?
- Over the past 10-year, FAST delivered the higher annualized total return — DAL at 8.36% versus FAST at 18.42%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Delta Air Lines P/E ratioFastenal P/E ratioDelta Air Lines dividend yieldFastenal dividend yieldDelta Air Lines ROEFastenal ROEDelta Air Lines operating marginFastenal operating marginDelta Air Lines revenue growthFastenal revenue growthDelta Air Lines free cash flowFastenal free cash flow
Delta Air Lines & 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 June 14, 2026.