Comparing Diploma (OTCMKTS:DPLMF) & Fastenal (NASDAQ:FAST)

Diploma (OTCMKTS:DPLMF) and Fastenal (NASDAQ:FAST) are both industrials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their risk, valuation, profitability, earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations and institutional ownership.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Diploma and Fastenal, as provided by MarketBeat.

	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Diploma	0	0	0	0	N/A
Fastenal	0	7	2	0	2.22

Fastenal has a consensus target price of $73.33, indicating a potential downside of 3.42%. Given Fastenal’s higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Fastenal is more favorable than Diploma.

Profitability

This table compares Diploma and Fastenal’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Diploma	N/A	N/A	N/A
Fastenal	15.54%	33.54%	25.33%

Insider & Institutional Ownership

81.4% of Fastenal shares are held by institutional investors. 0.4% of Fastenal shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Diploma and Fastenal”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Diploma	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Fastenal	$7.48 billion	5.81	$1.16 billion	$2.01	37.78

Fastenal has higher revenue and earnings than Diploma.

Summary

Fastenal beats Diploma on 8 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Diploma

Diploma PLC, together with its subsidiaries, supplies specialized technical products and services in the United Kingdom, Continental Europe, North America, and internationally. It operates through three business sectors: Life Sciences, Seals, and Controls. The Life Sciences sector supplies technology-enabled products used in surgical procedures in operating theatres and endoscopy; testing equipment and services for clinical laboratories; and bio-pharma, food safety and testing, and other research-oriented products. It serves hospitals, clinical laboratories, and research facilities. The Seals sector supplies various seals, gaskets, cylinders, components, and kits used in heavy mobile machinery; and O-rings, fittings, hydraulic and industrial hoses, pneumatics products, pumps, and related accessories. The Controls sector offers wire and cabling, interconnect, specialty fasteners, and adhesive and industrial automation solutions for various applications. Diploma PLC was incorporated in 1999 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.

About Fastenal

Fastenal Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the wholesale distribution of industrial and construction supplies in the United States, Canada, Mexico, North America, and internationally. It offers fasteners, and related industrial and construction supplies under the Fastenal name. The company’s fastener products include threaded fasteners, bolts, nuts, screws, studs, and related washers that are used in manufactured products and construction projects, as well as in the maintenance and repair of machines. It also offers miscellaneous supplies and hardware, including pins, machinery keys, concrete anchors, metal framing systems, wire ropes, strut products, rivets, and related accessories. The company serves the manufacturing market comprising original equipment manufacturers; maintenance, repair, and operations customers; non-residential construction market; farmers, truckers, railroads, mining companies, schools, and retail trades; and oil exploration, production, and refinement companies, as well as federal, state, and local governmental entities. Fastenal Company was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Winona, Minnesota.