---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000815556-22-000031"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "FAST"
cik: "0000815556"
company_name: "FASTENAL CO"
filed_at: "2022-07-13T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-24T16:16:39.366769+00:00"
event_type: "earnings"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Fastenal Q2 net sales up 18% to $1.78B, EPS $0.50 (+19.7%), guides FMI signings lower

## Summary
- Q2 net sales $1,778.6M (+18.0% YoY); diluted EPS $0.50 vs $0.42; net earnings $287.1M (+19.8%).
- Gross margin flat at 46.5%; operating margin improved to 21.6% from 21.1% on expense leverage.
- Reduced 2022 FMI signings goal to 21,000-23,000 weighted MEUs from prior 23,000-25,000.
- Operating cash flow $151.2M (-11.8%); working capital up due to inflation and customer growth.
- Returned $227.8M to shareholders in Q2 ($178.5M dividends, $49.3M buybacks).

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000815556-22-000031
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: FAST
- cik: 0000815556
- company_name: FASTENAL CO
- filed_at: 2022-07-13T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: earnings
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/815556/000081555622000031/0000815556-22-000031-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/815556/000081555622000031/fast-20220713.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000815556-22-000031
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000815556-22-000031.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000815556-22-000031.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.