---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000815556-24-000035"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "FAST"
cik: "0000815556"
company_name: "FASTENAL CO"
filed_at: "2024-10-11T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-30T16:05:16.041022+00:00"
event_type: "earnings"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.6
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Fastenal Q3 EPS flat at $0.52; revenue up 3.5% but gross margin drops 100bps

## Summary
- Net sales $1.91B (+3.5% YoY); daily sales +1.9%, with one extra selling day.
- Gross margin fell 100 bps to 44.9% on unfavorable customer/product mix and lower rebates.
- Diluted EPS unchanged at $0.52; operating margin down 70 bps to 20.3%.
- Onsite signings of 93 in Q3; active sites up 11.7% YoY; digital footprint at 61.1% of sales.
- Operating cash flow $297M, down 23.5% due to inventory buildup; FY24 capex raised to $235-$255M.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000815556-24-000035
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: FAST
- cik: 0000815556
- company_name: FASTENAL CO
- filed_at: 2024-10-11T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: earnings
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.6
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.6
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/815556/000081555624000035/0000815556-24-000035-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/815556/000081555624000035/fast-20241011.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000815556-24-000035
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000815556-24-000035.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000815556-24-000035.txt

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