Fastenal Company (FAST) vs Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL)

FAST leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Fastenal Company and Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. 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 — FAST vs ODFL

growth of $100 · last 30y
FAST +3226.4%ODFL +53219.6%ODFL compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $100200120062011201620212026$3,326$53,320
FAST ODFL

FAST vs ODFL: by the numbers

  • FAST is the larger company ($53.46B vs $51.11B market cap).
  • FAST trades at the lower earnings multiple (40.85 vs 51.41 P/E).
  • ODFL converts more revenue to profit (18.46% vs 15.39% net margin).
  • FAST grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.19% vs 5.60% CAGR).
  • FAST pays the higher dividend yield (1.98% vs 0.46%).

Which is better, FAST or ODFL?

Metric tally: FAST 10 · ODFL 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueFAST(lower P/E)
GrowthFAST(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeFAST(higher dividend yield)
QualityFAST(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricFASTODFL
P/E ratio40.8551.41
Forward P/E37.4538.80
P/S ratio6.359.43
P/B ratio13.4311.69
PEG ratio3.664.62
EV / EBITDA29.7829.99
FCF yield2.17%1.98%

Profitability

MetricFASTODFL
Gross margin44.89%30.91%
Operating margin20.25%24.57%
Net margin15.39%18.46%
ROE32.58%22.89%
ROIC28.17%19.91%

Dividends

MetricFASTODFL
Dividend yield1.98%0.46%
Payout ratio83.64%23.51%

Growth (annualized)

MetricFASTODFL
Revenue CAGR (5Y)8.19%5.60%
EPS CAGR (5Y)7.96%11.14%
FCF CAGR (5Y)3.42%4.53%
Total return CAGR (5Y)14.87%14.94%

Frequently asked

Which is better, FAST or ODFL?
It depends on your goal. value: FAST (lower P/E); growth: FAST (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: FAST (higher dividend yield); quality: FAST (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, FAST leads 10 to 5.
Is FAST or ODFL cheaper?
On trailing earnings, FAST is cheaper: FAST trades at a 40.85 P/E and ODFL at 51.41.
Which has grown faster, FAST or ODFL?
Over the past five years, FAST grew revenue faster — FAST at a 8.19% CAGR versus ODFL at 5.60%.
Does FAST or ODFL pay a bigger dividend?
FAST yields 1.98% and ODFL yields 0.46% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is FAST or ODFL more profitable?
ODFL runs the higher net margin — FAST at 15.39% versus ODFL at 18.46%.
Which has been the better investment, FAST or ODFL?
Over the past 10-year, ODFL delivered the higher annualized total return — FAST at 18.42% versus ODFL at 29.03%. 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 June 13, 2026.