Fastenal Company (FAST) vs Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation (WAB)
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 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
WAB
Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
$305.79IndustrialsDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — FAST vs WAB
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yFAST +5993.6%WAB +6244.3%WAB compounded faster
FAST WAB
FAST vs WAB: by the numbers
- •FAST is the larger company ($55.19B vs $51.65B market cap).
- •WAB trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (29.70 vs 40.37 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •FAST converts more revenue to profit (15.45% vs 10.60% net margin).
- •WAB grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.16% vs 8.96% CAGR).
- •FAST pays the higher dividend yield (1.93% vs 0.37%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | FAST | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 40.37 | 29.70 |
| Forward P/E | 37.73 | 27.79 |
| P/S ratio | 6.26 | 4.27 |
| P/B ratio | 13.47 | 4.55 |
| PEG ratio | 3.65 | 2.32 |
| EV / EBITDA | 28.83 | 24.45 |
| FCF yield | 1.88% | 3.83% |
Profitability
| Metric | FAST | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.70% | 34.33% |
| Operating margin | 20.29% | 16.54% |
| Net margin | 15.45% | 10.60% |
| ROE | 33.23% | 11.29% |
| ROIC | 28.17% | 7.64% |
Dividends
| Metric | FAST | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.93% | 0.37% |
| Payout ratio | 83.64% | 16.33% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | FAST | WAB |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.96% | 9.16% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 7.96% | 25.77% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 2.54% | 15.68% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 15.08% | 30.42% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, FAST or WAB?
- WAB has the lower trailing P/E: FAST trades at 40.37 and WAB at 29.70. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, FAST or WAB?
- Over the past five years, WAB grew revenue faster — FAST at a 8.96% CAGR versus WAB at 9.16%.
- Does FAST or WAB pay a bigger dividend?
- FAST yields 1.93% and WAB yields 0.37% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is FAST or WAB more profitable?
- FAST runs the higher net margin — FAST at 15.45% versus WAB at 10.60%.
- How have FAST and WAB total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, FAST delivered 19.42% and WAB delivered 16.59% annualized total return. 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 July 28, 2026.