Is FAST or GWW cheaper?

On trailing earnings, GWW is cheaper: FAST trades at a 41.16 P/E and GWW at 36.96.

Which has grown faster, FAST or GWW?

Over the past five years, GWW grew revenue faster — FAST at a 8.19% CAGR versus GWW at 9.12%.

Does FAST or GWW pay a bigger dividend?

FAST yields 1.96% and GWW yields 0.67% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is FAST or GWW more profitable?

FAST runs the higher net margin — FAST at 15.39% versus GWW at 9.70%.

Which has been the better investment, FAST or GWW?

Over the past 10-year, GWW delivered the higher annualized total return — FAST at 18.74% versus GWW at 22.08%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Fastenal Company (FAST) vs W.W. Grainger, Inc. (GWW)

GWW leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Fastenal Company and W.W. Grainger, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 26, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — FAST vs GWW

growth of $100 · last 30y

FAST +3565.6%GWW +3408.0%FAST compounded faster

FAST GWW

FAST vs GWW: by the numbers

•GWW is the larger company ($64.91B vs $53.87B market cap).
•GWW trades at the lower earnings multiple (36.96 vs 41.16 P/E).
•FAST converts more revenue to profit (15.39% vs 9.70% net margin).
•GWW grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.12% vs 8.19% CAGR).
•FAST pays the higher dividend yield (1.96% vs 0.67%).

Which is better, FAST or GWW?

Metric tally: FAST 5 · GWW 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueGWW(lower P/E)

GrowthGWW(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeFAST(higher dividend yield)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

Metric	FAST	GWW
P/E ratio	41.16	36.96●
Forward P/E	37.71	30.14●
P/S ratio	6.40	3.55●
P/B ratio	13.54●	16.58
PEG ratio	3.65	1.66●
EV / EBITDA	28.60	23.32●
FCF yield	2.15%	2.12%

Profitability

Metric	FAST	GWW
Gross margin	44.89%●	39.15%
Operating margin	20.25%●	14.23%
Net margin	15.39%●	9.70%
ROE	32.58%	45.34%●
ROIC	28.17%	27.73%

Dividends

Metric	FAST	GWW
Dividend yield	1.96%●	0.67%
Payout ratio	83.64%	26.13%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	FAST	GWW
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	8.19%	9.12%●
EPS CAGR (5Y)	7.96%	22.25%●
FCF CAGR (5Y)	3.42%	7.67%●
Total return CAGR (5Y)	15.37%	26.72%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, FAST or GWW?: It depends on your goal. value: GWW (lower P/E); growth: GWW (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: FAST (higher dividend yield). Across all compared metrics, GWW leads 10 to 5.
Is FAST or GWW cheaper?: On trailing earnings, GWW is cheaper: FAST trades at a 41.16 P/E and GWW at 36.96.
Which has grown faster, FAST or GWW?: Over the past five years, GWW grew revenue faster — FAST at a 8.19% CAGR versus GWW at 9.12%.
Does FAST or GWW pay a bigger dividend?: FAST yields 1.96% and GWW yields 0.67% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is FAST or GWW more profitable?: FAST runs the higher net margin — FAST at 15.39% versus GWW at 9.70%.
Which has been the better investment, FAST or GWW?: Over the past 10-year, GWW delivered the higher annualized total return — FAST at 18.74% versus GWW at 22.08%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full FAST analysis Full GWW analysis Interactive comparison tool

Dig into the metrics

Fastenal P/E ratio W.W. Grainger P/E ratio Fastenal dividend yield W.W. Grainger dividend yield Fastenal ROE W.W. Grainger ROE Fastenal operating margin W.W. Grainger operating margin Fastenal revenue growth W.W. Grainger revenue growth Fastenal free cash flow W.W. Grainger free cash flow

Fastenal & W.W. Grainger appear in these rankings

Dividend Aristocrats 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 26, 2026.