November 27, 2025 a 04:38 pm
FAST: Analysts Ratings - Fastenal Company
The Fastenal Company, a prominent player in the wholesale distribution of industrial and construction supplies, has remained a steady performer in its sector. Analysts' ratings suggest a mix of feelings towards the stock, with a considerable leaning towards a cautious "Hold" position. As the industrial sector faces various global challenges, Fastenal’s consistent performance draws attention for its resilience and strategic position in the market.
Historical Stock Grades
Below is the latest assessment of analyst ratings for Fastenal Company, showing a cautious sentiment with a predominant "Hold" stance:
| Rating | Number of Analysts | Score Visualization |
|---|---|---|
| Strong Buy | 0 | |
| Buy | 4 | |
| Hold | 11 | |
| Sell | 2 | |
| Strong Sell | 3 |
Sentiment Development
The shift in analyst ratings over recent months demonstrates increasing caution, with "Hold" recommendations becoming more prevalent:
- There is a significant decrease in "Strong Buy" ratings, from 6 in late 2024 to 0 by November 2025.
- "Hold" ratings consistently dominate, indicating a conservative outlook among analysts.
- The total number of ratings remains stable, suggesting a balanced interest in the stock.
Percentage Trends
Examining percentage trends, there has been a notable increase in "Hold" ratings while "Buy" and "Strong Buy" ratings decline:
- Strong Buy has dropped to 0%, signaling waning aggressiveness in purchasing sentiment.
- Hold ratings have increased to 61%, marking a preference for neutrality in the face of uncertainty.
- The significant shift from Buy to Hold over the last year suggests risk aversion prevailing among analysts.
Latest Analyst Recommendations
Recent analyst recommendations reflect stability in sentiment, with a few adjustments:
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-13 | Underperform | Peer Perform | Wolfe Research |
| 2025-11-13 | Equal Weight | Equal Weight | Barclays |
| 2025-10-14 | Equal Weight | Equal Weight | Barclays |
| 2025-09-04 | Neutral | Neutral | JP Morgan |
| 2025-08-07 | Outperform | Neutral | Baird |
Analyst Recommendations with Change of Opinion
Changes in analyst opinions are crucial as they indicate shifts in market sentiment and analysis:
| Date | New Recommendation | Last Recommendation | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-13 | Underperform | Peer Perform | Wolfe Research |
| 2025-08-07 | Outperform | Neutral | Baird |
| 2025-03-10 | Outperform | Market Perform | William Blair |
| 2024-12-11 | Hold | Buy | Stifel |
| 2022-07-14 | Neutral | Outperform | Baird |
Interpretation
The analysis suggests that market sentiment towards Fastenal is mostly cautious, with a majority of analysts advising to hold positions rather than buying aggressively. The downgrades and lack of strong buy signals indicate rising uncertainty or signals of cautious optimism among analysts. Despite this cautious stance, no major sell-off predictions are evident, emphasizing a stable, if not overly optimistic, outlook.
Conclusion
Fastenal Company’s current position in the market reflects a conservative analyst sentiment, characterized by an increasing hold stance and declining buy recommendations. While the absence of strong sell recommendations indicates no imminent dangers, the cautious upgrades and downgrades hint at uncertainties in broader economic conditions impacting the sector. For potential investors, understanding the balance in recommendations may provide insights into managing investment risk effectively. As market conditions fluctuate, keeping an eye on upcoming analyst revisions will be critical for adjusting investment strategies accordingly.