Fastenal Q4 2023 Earnings Report
Key Takeaways
Fastenal Company reported a 3.7% increase in net sales for Q4 2023, driven by growth in Onsite locations and large customers. Gross profit margin improved to 45.5%, and operating income increased by 6.3%. Diluted net earnings per share rose to $0.46, up from $0.43 in the same period last year.
Net sales increased by 3.7% compared to Q4 2022, driven by higher unit sales from Onsite locations and large customers.
Gross profit margin improved to 45.5% due to better product margins in fasteners and safety supplies, and positive price-cost dynamics.
Operating income, as a percentage of net sales, increased to 20.1% from 19.6% in the prior year.
The company signed 58 new Onsite locations in Q4 2023, bringing the total active Onsite locations to 1,822, a 12.3% increase year-over-year.
Fastenal
Fastenal
Forward Guidance
Fastenal anticipates capital expenditures between $225.0 and $245.0 million in 2024. The company's goal for Onsite signings in 2024 is 375 to 400 and for weighted FASTBin and FASTVend device signings in 2024 is 26,000 to 28,000 MEUs.
Positive Outlook
- Spending to complete our Utah distribution center
- Investments in picking technology and equipment in our hubs and branches
- Higher outlays for FMI hardware reflecting our higher targeted signings and a slight build in device inventory
- Increase in spending on information technology
- Strategic rationalization that has produced the meaningful decline in our traditional branch network in the United States and Canada since 2013 is largely completed, and we expect reduced closing activity beginning in 2024.