Fastenal Company (FAST) vs Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB)

FAST leads on 7 of 9 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Fastenal Company and Rocket Lab USA, 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 RKLB

growth of $100 · last 6y
FAST +93.2%RKLB +950.8%RKLB compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100202120222023202420252026$193$1,051
FAST RKLB

FAST vs RKLB: by the numbers

  • RKLB is the larger company ($59.27B vs $53.46B market cap).
  • FAST is profitable (15.39% net margin) while RKLB runs a net loss (-26.87%).
  • RKLB grew revenue faster over the past five years (67.26% vs 8.19% CAGR).
  • FAST pays a dividend (1.98% yield) while RKLB does not currently pay one.

Which is better, FAST or RKLB?

Metric tally: FAST 7 · RKLB 2

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthRKLB(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityFAST(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricFASTRKLB
P/E ratio40.85
Forward P/E37.45
P/S ratio6.3591.22
P/B ratio13.4327.38
PEG ratio3.66
EV / EBITDA29.78
FCF yield2.17%

Profitability

MetricFASTRKLB
Gross margin44.89%36.56%
Operating margin20.25%-33.20%
Net margin15.39%-26.87%
ROE32.58%-8.06%
ROIC28.17%-10.09%

Dividends

MetricFASTRKLB
Dividend yield1.98%
Payout ratio83.64%

Growth (annualized)

MetricFASTRKLB
Revenue CAGR (5Y)8.19%67.26%
EPS CAGR (5Y)7.96%
FCF CAGR (5Y)3.42%
Total return CAGR (5Y)14.87%57.75%

Frequently asked

Which is better, FAST or RKLB?
It depends on your goal. growth: RKLB (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: FAST (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, FAST leads 7 to 2.
Which has grown faster, FAST or RKLB?
Over the past five years, RKLB grew revenue faster — FAST at a 8.19% CAGR versus RKLB at 67.26%.
Does FAST or RKLB pay a bigger dividend?
FAST pays a dividend (1.98% yield) while RKLB does not currently pay one.
Is FAST or RKLB more profitable?
FAST runs the higher net margin — FAST at 15.39% versus RKLB at -26.87%.
Which has been the better investment, FAST or RKLB?
Over the past 5-year, RKLB delivered the higher annualized total return — FAST at 18.42% versus RKLB at 57.75%. 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.