Compare Stocks › FAST vs NOW
Fastenal Company (FAST) vs ServiceNow, Inc. (NOW)
FAST
Fastenal Company
$44.49
VS
NOW
ServiceNow, Inc.
$113.27
Rewards
FAST
- ★Fastenal Company has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
- ★Fastenal Company scores 94/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with revenue predictability as the strongest competitive dimension.
- ★Free cash flow has grown at a 11.0% CAGR over the past 4 years, demonstrating strong earnings power growth.
NOW
- ★Gross margin of 77.5% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
- ★Free cash flow has grown at a 27.8% CAGR over the past 4 years, demonstrating strong earnings power growth.
- ★Each dollar of retained earnings has created $16.65 of market value — management is an exceptional capital allocator.
Risks
FAST
- ⚠FCF yield of 2.1% is below 3%, meaning the market is pricing in substantial future growth to justify the current price.
- ⚠Trailing P/E of 40.8x is 26% above the historical average of 32.3x — the stock trades at a premium to its own history.
- ⚠PEG ratio of 4.39 indicates the stock is expensive relative to its expected growth — the market may be pricing in more growth than analysts project.
NOW
- ⚠Despite buyback spending, shares outstanding increased in 3 out of 3 years — stock-based compensation is offsetting repurchases.
- ⚠PEG ratio of 19.95 indicates the stock is expensive relative to its expected growth — the market may be pricing in more growth than analysts project.
Key Valuation Metrics
Learn more →FAST
NOW
Valuation
$1.05B
Free Cash Flow
$4.95B
2.06%
FCF Yield
4.14%
40.82
Trailing P/E
67.83
32.99
Forward P/E
22.56
Quality & Moat
28.00%
ROIC
11.27%
31.91%
ROE
13.48%
45.01%
Gross Margin
77.53%
4.39
PEG Ratio
19.95
Balance Sheet Safety
0.11
Debt / Equity
0.19
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
0.09
Net Debt / EBITDA
-1.42
2.02%
Dividend Yield
N/A
FAST: 5Ties: 1NOW: 5
FASTNOW
Historical Fundamentals
Learn more →FAST
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
NOW
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
$1 Retained Earnings Test
Learn more →FAST
$29.34
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$649.7M
Δ Market Cap
+$19.06B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
NOW
$16.65
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$4.90B
Δ Market Cap
+$81.66B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis
Learn more →FAST
65.8% Overvalued
Price is 65.8% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $44.49
Strongly undervalued
Fairly valued
Strongly overvalued
Fair Value: $26.84
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
NOW
45.8% Overvalued
Price is 45.8% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $113.27
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Fair Value: $77.67
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth
Learn more →FAST
What growth rate is the market pricing in at $44?
+17.4%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +19.9%
The market implies +17.4% Owner Earnings growth, above historical trends.
Standard FCF implies a demanding +19.9%, reflecting heavy growth investment.
NOW
What growth rate is the market pricing in at $113?
+24.1%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +9.8%
The market implies +24.1% Owner Earnings growth, below historical trends — potential opportunity.
Standard FCF implies a more demanding +9.8%, reflecting heavy growth investment expected to generate future returns.
Economic Moat Score
Learn more →FAST
94/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None
Wide moat with strength across all dimensions. Revenue Predictability is the standout factor.
Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 5 years of fundamental data.
NOW
61/100
Narrow Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None
Narrow moat with revenue predictability as the key competitive advantage. Improving roic consistency would strengthen the moat.
Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 5 years of fundamental data.
Forensic Accounting
Learn more →FAST
-2.40
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone
M-Score Trend
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
NOW
-2.87
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone
M-Score Trend
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
Ownership Breakdown
Learn more →FAST
Insiders 0.2%Institutions 88.2%Retail & Other 11.6%
No. of Institutional Holders1,854
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
NOW
Insiders 0.2%Institutions 90.0%Retail & Other 9.8%
No. of Institutional Holders3,199
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
Insider Buying Activity
Learn more →FAST
0
Buys (3M)
8
Buys (12M)
Total value (12M): $250,806
NIELSEN SARAH N
Director
$39,600
@ $39.60 · 2025-11-19
JOHNSON DANIEL L.
Director
$40,440
@ $40.44 · 2025-11-17
HSU HSENGHUNG SAM
Director
$40,750
@ $40.75 · 2025-11-13
HSU HSENGHUNG SAM
Director
$40,580
@ $40.58 · 2025-11-13
EASTMAN STEPHEN L
Director
$40,816
@ $40.82 · 2025-11-12
HSU HSENGHUNG SAM
Director
$42,450
@ $42.45 · 2025-10-16
MILLER CHARLES S
Officer
$3,069
@ $76.72 · 2025-04-14
MILLER CHARLES S
Officer
$3,101
@ $77.53 · 2025-04-14
LEWIS HOLDEN
Chief Financial Officer
$15,538
@ $71.94 · 2024-11-21
HSU HSENGHUNG SAM
Director
$63,115
@ $63.12 · 2024-06-11
JOHNSON DANIEL L.
Director
$229,056
@ $68.37 · 2024-04-17
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
NOW
1
Buys (3M)
1
Buys (12M)
Total value (12M): $3.00M
MCDERMOTT WILLIAM R
Chief Executive Officer
$3.00M
@ $104.60 · 2026-02-27
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.
Insider Selling Activity
Learn more →FAST
2
Sells (3M)
16
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $26.27M
WISECUP REYNE KAY
Director
$1.75M
@ $47.34 · 2026-03-05
SATTERLEE SCOTT ALAN
Director
$705,454
@ $44.19 · 2026-01-23
DRAZKOWSKI WILLIAM JOSEPH
Officer
$333,012
@ $48.67 · 2025-08-15
FLORNESS DANIEL LARS
Chief Executive Officer
$4.10M
@ $48.44 · 2025-08-12
FLORNESS DANIEL LARS
Chief Executive Officer
$4.10M
@ $48.44 · 2025-08-12
WATTS JEFFERY MICHAEL
President
$2.34M
@ $48.05 · 2025-08-08
SODERBERG JOHN LEWIS
Officer
$1.66M
@ $48.03 · 2025-08-08
SODERBERG JOHN LEWIS
Officer
$1.66M
@ $48.03 · 2025-08-08
BROERSMA ANTHONY PAUL
Officer
$650,931
@ $47.93 · 2025-07-24
LISOWSKI SHERYL ANN
Chief Financial Officer
$951,832
@ $45.21 · 2025-07-17
PAPENFUSS DONNALEE KATHLEEN
Officer
$121,983
@ $41.27 · 2025-06-05
SODERBERG JOHN LEWIS
Officer
$1.35M
@ $82.45 · 2025-05-16
SATTERLEE SCOTT ALAN
Director
$768,868
@ $79.51 · 2025-05-06
BROERSMA ANTHONY PAUL
Officer
$452,060
@ $81.19 · 2025-04-25
FLORNESS DANIEL LARS
Chief Executive Officer
$4.11M
@ $82.12 · 2025-04-24
DRAZKOWSKI WILLIAM JOSEPH
Officer
$1.22M
@ $81.31 · 2025-04-14
LEWIS HOLDEN
Chief Financial Officer
$5.15M
@ $74.97 · 2025-03-14
JANSEN JAMES C
Officer
$1.63M
@ $83.07 · 2024-11-22
MILLER CHARLES S
Officer
$1.97M
@ $83.92 · 2024-11-13
JOHNSON DANIEL L.
Director
$706,396
@ $83.36 · 2024-11-13
FLORNESS DANIEL LARS
Chief Executive Officer
$2.69M
@ $84.50 · 2024-11-11
LUNDQUIST NICHOLAS J
Director
$705,695
@ $83.14 · 2024-11-08
PAPENFUSS DONNALEE KATHLEEN
Officer
$374,470
@ $83.92 · 2024-11-08
LISOWSKI SHERYL ANN
Officer and Treasurer
$501,205
@ $83.53 · 2024-11-08
LEWIS HOLDEN
Chief Financial Officer
$3.41M
@ $83.12 · 2024-11-07
DRAZKOWSKI WILLIAM JOSEPH
Officer
$1.42M
@ $82.28 · 2024-11-06
SODERBERG JOHN LEWIS
Officer
$1.59M
@ $82.95 · 2024-11-06
HEISE RITA J
Director
$845,692
@ $77.67 · 2024-10-30
DRAZKOWSKI WILLIAM JOSEPH
Officer
$1.27M
@ $77.65 · 2024-10-16
WISECUP REYNE KAY
Director
$1.71M
@ $78.55 · 2024-10-16
BROERSMA ANTHONY PAUL
Officer
$52,945
@ $77.86 · 2024-10-16
LUNDQUIST NICHOLAS J
Director
$1.74M
@ $77.15 · 2024-10-15
LEWIS HOLDEN
Chief Financial Officer
$2.30M
@ $76.52 · 2024-10-14
LISOWSKI SHERYL ANN
Officer and Treasurer
$1.03M
@ $76.19 · 2024-10-14
FLORNESS DANIEL LARS
Chief Executive Officer
$3.48M
@ $69.68 · 2024-09-12
FLORNESS DANIEL LARS
Chief Executive Officer
$3.12M
@ $68.14 · 2024-08-21
JANSEN JAMES C
Officer
$732,147
@ $64.07 · 2024-05-29
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
NOW
4
Sells (3M)
48
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $27.80M
FIPPS PAUL
Officer
$376,142
@ $101.77 · 2026-02-23
FIPPS PAUL
Officer
$1.02M
@ $105.93 · 2026-02-18
MCBRIDE KEVIN THOMAS
Officer
$147,994
@ $105.71 · 2026-02-13
CHAMBERLAIN PAUL EDWARD
Director
$151,755
@ $101.17 · 2026-02-12
MASTANTUONO GINA
President
$352,750
@ $850.00 · 2025-12-05
MASTANTUONO GINA
President
$336,936
@ $808.00 · 2025-11-28
JACKSON LAWRENCE
Director
$214,708
@ $810.22 · 2025-11-28
CHAMBERLAIN PAUL EDWARD
Director
$242,400
@ $808.00 · 2025-11-28
CANNEY JACQUELINE P
Officer
$200,549
@ $839.12 · 2025-11-18
FIPPS PAUL
Officer
$249,353
@ $817.55 · 2025-11-18
TZITZON NICHOLAS
Officer
$431,736
@ $827.08 · 2025-11-18
ELMER RUSSELL S.
General Counsel
$160,155
@ $838.51 · 2025-11-18
MCBRIDE KEVIN THOMAS
Officer
$235,894
@ $842.48 · 2025-11-14
CANNEY JACQUELINE P
Officer
$56,257
@ $852.38 · 2025-11-13
ELMER RUSSELL S.
General Counsel
$52,848
@ $852.39 · 2025-11-13
CANNEY JACQUELINE P
Officer
$222,012
@ $863.86 · 2025-11-10
ELMER RUSSELL S.
General Counsel
$164,997
@ $863.86 · 2025-11-10
SANDS ANITA M
Director
$1.00M
@ $915.11 · 2025-08-29
MCDERMOTT WILLIAM R
Chief Executive Officer
$5.34M
@ $916.63 · 2025-08-28
FIPPS PAUL
Officer
$1.30M
@ $895.32 · 2025-08-20
ELMER RUSSELL S.
General Counsel
$1.50M
@ $884.26 · 2025-08-20
MCDERMOTT WILLIAM R
Chief Executive Officer
$1.43M
@ $900.00 · 2025-08-19
CANNEY JACQUELINE P
Officer
$1.35M
@ $866.45 · 2025-08-18
MASTANTUONO GINA
President
$1.53M
@ $866.45 · 2025-08-18
TZITZON NICHOLAS
Officer
$1.49M
@ $866.45 · 2025-08-18
MCBRIDE KEVIN THOMAS
Officer
$238,496
@ $851.77 · 2025-08-15
CHAMBERLAIN PAUL EDWARD
Director
$258,000
@ $860.00 · 2025-08-14
CANNEY JACQUELINE P
Officer
$57,658
@ $860.57 · 2025-08-13
MASTANTUONO GINA
President
$72,288
@ $860.57 · 2025-08-13
CANNEY JACQUELINE P
Officer
$225,746
@ $878.39 · 2025-08-08
MASTANTUONO GINA
President
$256,490
@ $878.39 · 2025-08-08
JACKSON LAWRENCE
Director
$749,805
@ $990.50 · 2025-07-29
CANNEY JACQUELINE P
Officer
$341,631
@ $965.06 · 2025-07-16
SANDS ANITA M
Director
$250,950
@ $1050.00 · 2025-07-03
MCBRIDE KEVIN THOMAS
Officer
$283,310
@ $1011.82 · 2025-06-03
SANDS ANITA M
Director
$250,267
@ $1009.14 · 2025-06-02
CANNEY JACQUELINE P
Officer
$147,900
@ $1020.00 · 2025-05-30
TZITZON NICHOLAS
Officer
$1.19M
@ $1020.00 · 2025-05-30
MCDERMOTT WILLIAM R
Chief Executive Officer
$2.07M
@ $1012.01 · 2025-05-30
SANDS ANITA M
Director
$433,825
@ $1013.61 · 2025-05-27
BRIGGS TERESA
Director
$216,913
@ $1013.61 · 2025-05-27
LUDDY FREDERIC B
Director
$428,000
@ $1000.00 · 2025-05-23
MASTANTUONO GINA
President
$121,570
@ $1030.25 · 2025-05-19
CANNEY JACQUELINE P
Officer
$96,844
@ $1030.26 · 2025-05-19
ELMER RUSSELL S.
General Counsel
$83,450
@ $1030.25 · 2025-05-19
CHAMBERLAIN PAUL EDWARD
Director
$310,326
@ $1034.42 · 2025-05-15
MASTANTUONO GINA
President
$85,932
@ $1023.00 · 2025-05-13
CANNEY JACQUELINE P
Officer
$67,518
@ $1023.00 · 2025-05-13
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.
🎭 Mr. Market's Mood
Learn more →FAST
😐Neutral(52/100)
"Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"
Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
NOW
😨Fear(38/100)
"Market is pessimistic — investigate whether fears are temporary or structural"
Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
⚖️ Buffett Signal
Learn more →FAST
⚪Awaiting DCF Data
The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.
DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (52)
NOW
⚪Awaiting DCF Data
The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.
DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Fear (38)