Bernstein Raises Fastenal (FAST) Price Target to $47

Bernstein has reiterated its Underperform rating on Fastenal with a new price target of $47, a 6.97% downside from the current price.

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Bernstein raised its price target on Fastenal Company ($FAST) to $47 from $42 on October 15, 2026, and rates the stock "Underperform".

Since the rating, $FAST is up 1.3% to date (from the $50.38 close on Oct 15, 2026).

FAST Fastenal Company
$51.02 +28.22% year to date
Daily close · Oct 16, 2026

Key Points

  • On October 15, 2026, Bernstein reiterated its Underperform rating on Fastenal Company, raising the price target from $42 to $47.
  • Bernstein's $47 price target implies 6.97% downside from Fastenal Company's ($FAST) current $50.52 share price.
  • As of October 16, shares of Fastenal traded recently around $50.52, which is about 7.5% above Bernstein's new target.
  • Fastenal has shown strong revenue growth of 14.7% year-over-year, reflecting its solid position in the industrial distribution sector.

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Bernstein has reiterated its Underperform rating on Fastenal Company (NasdaqGS: FAST) on October 15, 2026, raising its price target to $47 from $42. This move reflects the firm's cautious view on the stock's performance moving forward.

Analyst rating track record

Bernstein vs. the S&P 500

YTD return -2.79% hypothetical
All-time return -2.79% S&P 500 +1.50%
vs. S&P 500 -4.29% behind the index

Hypothetical returns from Bernstein's disclosed trades, not real profit or advice. How we model this.

Other Institutional Activity in Fastenal Company

Several institutional investors hold significant stakes in Fastenal. Blackrock Inc. has 106,297,179 shares valued at about $5.4 billion, after increasing its holdings by 1,539,932 shares. Vanguard Capital Management LLC holds 74,919,565 shares worth approximately $3.8 billion, having added 357,896 shares. Vanguard Portfolio Management LLC also increased its stake, now with 64,893,489 shares valued at about $3.3 billion, after a gain of 444,697 shares. State Street Corporation owns 56,438,968 shares, worth about $2.9 billion, following an increase of 872,395 shares. Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. raised its holdings by 3,505,524 shares, now holding 42,893,434 shares valued at roughly $2.2 billion.

Fastenal Company Stock Up 0.3%

Fastenal shares recently traded around $50.52, which is above Bernstein's new price target of $47, indicating a 7.5% premium. The stock's performance appears strong, especially given the recent growth in revenue and demand in the industrial sector.

12-month forecast

$FAST price target

Fastenal Company daily closes and this analyst's $47 target. Not advice.

Recent Earnings

Fastenal reported trailing twelve-month revenue of approximately $8.75 billion, with an EPS of $1.17. The company has a net margin of 15.5% and a return on equity (ROE) of 34.3%. These figures highlight Fastenal's strong profitability and operational efficiency.

Insider Buying and Selling at Fastenal Company

Several insiders have sold shares of Fastenal recently. Director Michael J. Ancius sold 3,000 shares at a price of $49.00 on July 28, totaling $147,000. Rita J. Heise, also a Director, sold 34,964 shares at $50.05 on August 5, amounting to about $1.75 million. Ancius sold another 3,000 shares at $52.00 on August 10, valued at $156,000. Additionally, Officer Donnalee Kathleen Papenfuss sold 9,258 shares on August 13, with a total value of approximately $475,758.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

On October 15, 2026, Bernstein maintained its Underperform rating on Fastenal with a target of $47. Similarly, DA Davidson maintained its Neutral rating with a target of $51. Baird also maintained its Outperform rating with a new target of $60. The consensus among analysts suggests a cautious outlook for Fastenal, with the average target indicating limited upside potential.

About Fastenal Company

Fastenal Company, based in Winona, MN, is a leading distributor of industrial and construction supplies. The company provides a wide range of fasteners and related products, serving customers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and beyond. Fastenal's strong revenue growth reflects its key role in the industrial distribution market, making it an important player in the sector.

Bottom Line

Investors should monitor Fastenal's upcoming earnings release for further insights into its performance. Bernstein's updated target and rating reflect a cautious stance on the stock, while recent insider activity suggests some selling pressure. Keep an eye on future analyst ratings and institutional actions as they may influence the stock's trajectory.

Source: Bernstein's rating change on $FAST (Oct 15, 2026). Written by software, not financial advice. How we make alerts

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