During the third quarter, Peterson Wealth Services boosted its stake in Fastenal by 709.1%, acquiring 20,515 additional shares and bringing its total to 23,408 shares valued at approximately $1,148,000. This dramatic increase underscores growing confidence among boutique investment firms in Fastenal’s ability to generate stable cash flows and sustain its dividend policy.

Several other institutional investors also adjusted their positions in Fastenal. Wallace Hart LLC initiated a $1.02 million position with 20,833 shares, while Hilltop National Bank, Private Wealth Management Group LLC, Twin Peaks Wealth Advisors LLC, NewSquare Capital LLC and MV Capital Management Inc. each added stakes ranging from 339 to 474 shares during the second quarter. Collectively, hedge funds and other large institutions now own over 81% of Fastenal’s outstanding shares, reflecting sector‐wide appetite for industrial supply distributors.

Fastenal directors increased their direct holdings late in the year. Director Sarah N. Nielsen bought 1,000 shares—a 25% increase in her position—and now holds 5,000 shares. Director Hsenghung Sam Hsu also acquired 1,000 shares, lifting his stake by 11.1% to 10,000 shares. Both transactions were disclosed in SEC filings, signaling executive conviction in Fastenal’s medium‐term growth prospects.

In its latest quarter, Fastenal reported revenue of $2.03 billion, up 11.1% year‐over‐year, with earnings per share of $0.26 matching consensus estimates. The company achieved a net margin of 15.35% and return on equity of 32.83%. Fastenal also raised its quarterly dividend from $0.22 to $0.24 per share, representing a 9.1% increase and yielding 2.1% on an annualized basis, with a payout ratio of 87.3%. These metrics reinforce Fastenal’s commitment to shareholder returns amid steady operational performance.