Fastenal Company (FAST) vs Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB)
WAB leads on 11 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Fastenal Company and Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation 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).
FAST
Fastenal Company
$46.57Industrials
WAB
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
$265.20Industrials
Total return — FAST vs WAB
growth of $100 · last 30yFAST +3226.4%WAB +4410.2%WAB compounded faster
FAST WAB
FAST vs WAB: by the numbers
- •FAST is the larger company ($53.46B vs $45.00B market cap).
- •WAB trades at the lower earnings multiple (37.51 vs 40.85 P/E).
- •FAST converts more revenue to profit (15.39% vs 10.52% net margin).
- •WAB grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.07% vs 8.19% CAGR).
- •FAST pays the higher dividend yield (1.98% vs 0.42%).
Which is better, FAST or WAB?
Metric tally: FAST 6 · WAB 11It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueWAB(lower P/E)
GrowthWAB(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeFAST(higher dividend yield)
QualityFAST(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | FAST | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 40.85 | 37.51● |
| Forward P/E | 37.45 | 24.98● |
| P/S ratio | 6.35 | 3.93● |
| P/B ratio | 13.43 | 4.06● |
| PEG ratio | 3.66 | 2.32● |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.78 | 22.29● |
| FCF yield | 2.17% | 3.63%● |
Profitability
| Metric | FAST | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.89%● | 33.81% |
| Operating margin | 20.25%● | 16.10% |
| Net margin | 15.39%● | 10.52% |
| ROE | 32.58%● | 10.85% |
| ROIC | 28.17%● | 7.64% |
Dividends
| Metric | FAST | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.98%● | 0.42% |
| Payout ratio | 83.64% | 16.33% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | FAST | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.19% | 9.07%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 7.96% | 25.77%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 3.42% | 9.83%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.87% | 27.28%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, FAST or WAB?
- It depends on your goal. value: WAB (lower P/E); growth: WAB (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: FAST (higher dividend yield); quality: FAST (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, WAB leads 11 to 6.
- Is FAST or WAB cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, WAB is cheaper: FAST trades at a 40.85 P/E and WAB at 37.51.
- Which has grown faster, FAST or WAB?
- Over the past five years, WAB grew revenue faster — FAST at a 8.19% CAGR versus WAB at 9.07%.
- Does FAST or WAB pay a bigger dividend?
- FAST yields 1.98% and WAB yields 0.42% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is FAST or WAB more profitable?
- FAST runs the higher net margin — FAST at 15.39% versus WAB at 10.52%.
- Which has been the better investment, FAST or WAB?
- Over the past 10-year, FAST delivered the higher annualized total return — FAST at 18.42% versus WAB at 14.10%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Fastenal P/E ratioWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies P/E ratioFastenal dividend yieldWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies dividend yieldFastenal ROEWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies ROEFastenal operating marginWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies operating marginFastenal revenue growthWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies revenue growthFastenal free cash flowWestinghouse Air Brake Technologies free cash flow
Fastenal & Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies 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 13, 2026.