Fastenal Q3 Results Will Test Whether Sales Growth Lifts Profitability

Fastenal is set to release third-quarter results before the U.S. market opens Oct. 14, with analysts expecting double-digit revenue growth while profitability remains a key question.

The industrial and construction supplies distributor is scheduled to publish its earnings at 7 a.m. ET (11:00 UTC). Fastenal will hold a conference call at 10 a.m. ET (14:00 UTC) to review the results.

Estimates differ on the expected sales total. One forecast calls for adjusted earnings of $0.34 per share and revenue of $2.49 billion, compared with third-quarter 2025 revenue of $2.13 billion. Another projects earnings of $0.3379 per share and revenue of $2.44 billion, representing year-over-year growth of 16.5% and 14.6%, respectively.

The results will indicate whether Fastenal’s recent sales momentum translated into stronger profitability. The company posted second-quarter net sales of $2.3869 billion, up 14.7% from a year earlier. Diluted earnings per share rose to $0.33 from $0.29.

Profitability was mixed in the second quarter. Gross margin declined to 44.6% from 45.3% a year earlier, while operating margin remained at 21.0%.

Fastenal attributed the gross-margin pressure to pricing-versus-cost dynamics, customer mix, transportation costs and customer rebates. Selling, general and administrative expense leverage helped offset the decline at the operating-margin level.

The report will provide Fastenal’s third-quarter revenue and earnings figures, while the conference call may offer additional detail on margins, cash flow and the outlook. Fastenal scheduled the conference call for 9 a.m. Central time on Oct. 14.