CAT vs FAST
By Alex · Tickerpine
Caterpillar Inc. vs Fastenal Company, side by side — the numbers that matter, in plain English. No “winner” hype; you decide.
| Metric | CAT | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $600.20 | $55.19 |
| Market cap | $274.65B | $63.32B |
| P/E ratio | 23.6 | 44.9 |
| ROE | 56.14% | 35.26% |
| Profit margin | 15.21% | 15.62% |
| Revenue growth | 17.30% | 15.50% |
| Dividend yield | 1.09% | 1.88% |
| Beta | 1.64 | 0.66 |
Green = the more favorable figure for that metric (lower P/E, higher ROE, margin, growth and yield). Not a recommendation.
CAT vs FAST in plain English
- CAT is the bigger company — about 4.3× the market cap of FAST.
- CAT is cheaper on earnings (P/E 23.6 vs 44.9).
- CAT earns a higher return on equity (56% vs 35%).
- CAT is growing revenue faster (17% vs 16%).
- FAST has the higher dividend yield (1.88% vs 1.09%).
How would $1,000 have done in each?
CAT return calculator
See what $1,000 in Caterpillar Inc. would be worth today.
FAST return calculator
See what $1,000 in Fastenal Company would be worth today.
Figures from public market data, may be delayed. Comparison is informational only — not investment advice.