---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000815556-26-000003"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "FAST"
cik: "0000815556"
company_name: "FASTENAL CO"
filed_at: "2026-01-20T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T09:40:26.545500+00:00"
event_type: "earnings"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Fastenal Q4 net sales +11.1% to $2.03B, EPS $0.26 vs $0.23; FY net income $1.26B, up 9.4%

## Summary
- Net sales $2,027.4M in Q4 (+11.1% YoY); full-year $8,200.5M (+8.7%).
- Diluted EPS $0.26 (Q4) and $1.09 (FY); prior-year $0.23 and $1.00.
- Gross margin 44.3% vs 44.8% in Q4 2024; operating margin 19.0% vs 18.9%.
- FMI device signings guidance for 2026: 28,000-30,000 MEUs; 2025 actual 25,892.
- Capex guidance for 2026 raised to $310-$330M vs $230.6M in 2025; debt reduced to $125M.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000815556-26-000003
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: FAST
- cik: 0000815556
- company_name: FASTENAL CO
- filed_at: 2026-01-20T23:59:59+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/815556/000081555626000003/0000815556-26-000003-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/815556/000081555626000003/fast-20260120.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000815556-26-000003
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000815556-26-000003.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000815556-26-000003.txt

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