---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000815556-26-000019"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "FAST"
cik: "0000815556"
company_name: "FASTENAL CO"
filed_at: "2026-04-13T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-15T06:38:46.655722+00:00"
event_type: "earnings"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Fastenal Q1 2026 net sales up 12.4% to $2.2B; EPS $0.30 vs $0.26 YoY

## Summary
- Net sales $2,201.7M (+12.4%); diluted EPS $0.30 vs $0.26 (+13.6%).
- Operating margin 20.3% (+20 bps YoY); gross margin 44.6% (-50 bps) on price/cost.
- Operating cash flow $378.4M (111% of net income); $295.7M returned to shareholders.
- Total debt $125M (3.0% of capital); 2026 capex guidance $310-330M.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000815556-26-000019
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: FAST
- cik: 0000815556
- company_name: FASTENAL CO
- filed_at: 2026-04-13T23:59:59+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/815556/000081555626000019/0000815556-26-000019-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/815556/000081555626000019/fast-20260413.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000815556-26-000019
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000815556-26-000019.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000815556-26-000019.txt

## Key facts
- Earnings Releases
  FASTENAL CO reported the quarter ended March 31, 2026 results: revenue $ 2,201.7, net income $ 339.8, EPS $ 0.30.
  - Period: the quarter ended March 31, 2026
  - Revenue: $ 2,201.7
  - Net income: $ 339.8
  - EPS: $ 0.30
  - Result: reported results
  source text: Net sales $ 2,201.7 1,959.4 12.4 % Business days 63 63 Daily sales $ 34.9 31.1 12.4 % Gross profit $ 982.9 883.9 11.2 % % of net sales 44.6 % 45.1 % Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expenses $ 535.3 490.0 9.3 % % of net sales 24.3 % 25.0 % Operating income $ 447.6 393.9 13.6 % % of net sales 20.3 % 20.1 % Income before income taxes $ 448.3 393.1 14.0 % % of net sales 20.4 % 20.1 % Net income $ 339.8 298.7 13.8 % Diluted net income per share $ 0.30 0.26 13.6 %
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/815556/000081555626000019/0000815556-26-000019-index.htm

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