Fastenal Q4 Profit Tops Consensus - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Industrial and construction supplies provider Fastenal Co. (FAST) posted higher net earnings of $118.39 million, or $0.40 a share in the fourth quarter, versus last year's $99.23 million, or $0.33 a share. On average, 14 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report earnings of $0.39 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Net sales for the quarter went up by 13.8 percent to $926.25 million from $813.76 million in the prior-year quarter. Wall Street expected revenues of $935.84 million for the quarter.

The growth in net sales in the periods noted for 2014 and 2013 came mainly from higher unit sales. Net sales were impacted by slight inflationary price changes in its non-fastener products and some price deflation in its fastener products, but the net impact was a drag on growth, according to the company.