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).

Total return — FAST vs WAB

growth of $100 · last 30y
FAST +3226.4%WAB +4410.2%WAB compounded faster
01k2k3k4kStart $100200120062011201620212026$3,326$4,510
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 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Valuation

MetricFASTWAB
P/E ratio40.8537.51
Forward P/E37.4524.98
P/S ratio6.353.93
P/B ratio13.434.06
PEG ratio3.662.32
EV / EBITDA29.7822.29
FCF yield2.17%3.63%

Profitability

MetricFASTWAB
Gross margin44.89%33.81%
Operating margin20.25%16.10%
Net margin15.39%10.52%
ROE32.58%10.85%
ROIC28.17%7.64%

Dividends

MetricFASTWAB
Dividend yield1.98%0.42%
Payout ratio83.64%16.33%

Growth (annualized)

MetricFASTWAB
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.

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.