Fastenal Company (FAST) vs Rockwell Automation, Inc. (ROK)
A side-by-side comparison of Fastenal Company and Rockwell Automation, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
FAST
Fastenal Company
$48.10IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
ROK
Rockwell Automation, Inc.
$471.17IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — FAST vs ROK
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yFAST +6196.4%ROK +5396.2%FAST compounded faster
FAST ROK
FAST vs ROK: by the numbers
- •FAST is the larger company ($55.19B vs $52.43B market cap).
- •FAST trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (40.37 vs 48.44 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •FAST converts more revenue to profit (15.45% vs 12.36% net margin).
- •FAST grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.96% vs 6.91% CAGR).
- •FAST pays the higher dividend yield (1.93% vs 1.17%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | FAST | ROK |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 40.37 | 48.44 |
| Forward P/E | 37.73 | 35.77 |
| P/S ratio | 6.26 | 5.96 |
| P/B ratio | 13.47 | 14.90 |
| PEG ratio | 3.65 | N/A |
| EV / EBITDA | 28.83 | 28.00 |
| FCF yield | 1.88% | 2.55% |
Profitability
| Metric | FAST | ROK |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.70% | 52.53% |
| Operating margin | 20.29% | 19.08% |
| Net margin | 15.45% | 12.36% |
| ROE | 33.23% | 30.89% |
| ROIC | 28.17% | 13.71% |
Dividends
| Metric | FAST | ROK |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.93% | 1.17% |
| Payout ratio | 83.64% | 70.87% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | FAST | ROK |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.96% | 6.91% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 7.96% | -2.73% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 2.54% | 2.95% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 15.08% | 11.29% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, FAST or ROK?
- FAST has the lower trailing P/E: FAST trades at 40.37 and ROK at 48.44. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, FAST or ROK?
- Over the past five years, FAST grew revenue faster — FAST at a 8.96% CAGR versus ROK at 6.91%.
- Does FAST or ROK pay a bigger dividend?
- FAST yields 1.93% and ROK yields 1.17% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is FAST or ROK more profitable?
- FAST runs the higher net margin — FAST at 15.45% versus ROK at 12.36%.
- How have FAST and ROK total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, FAST delivered 19.42% and ROK delivered 17.15% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Fastenal P/E ratioRockwell Automation P/E ratioFastenal dividend yieldRockwell Automation dividend yieldFastenal ROERockwell Automation ROEFastenal operating marginRockwell Automation operating marginFastenal revenue growthRockwell Automation revenue growthFastenal free cash flowRockwell Automation free cash flow
Fastenal & Rockwell Automation 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 July 28, 2026.