VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Stock Comparison

Fastenal Company vs Nordson Corporation

Compare moat strength, market structure, and segment coverage to understand how each company defends its edge.

Fastenal Company

FAST · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$53.1B
Gross margin (TTM)45%
Operating margin (TTM)20.2%
Net margin (TTM)15.4%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryIndustrial - Distribution
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-06
Moat score
57/ 100

Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.

Full stock profile

Dive deeper into Fastenal Company's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View FAST analysis

Nordson Corporation

NDSN · NASDAQ

Market cap (USD)$16.2B
Gross margin (TTM)55.2%
Operating margin (TTM)25.9%
Net margin (TTM)18.4%
SectorIndustrials
IndustryIndustrial - Machinery
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-29
Moat score
67/ 100

Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.

Full stock profile

Dive deeper into Nordson Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View NDSN analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Nordson Corporation leads (67 / 100 vs 57 / 100 for Fastenal Company).
  • Segment focus: Fastenal Company has 2 segments (55.7% in Core industrial & construction supplies distribution (branches, Onsite, eBusiness excl. FMI)); Nordson Corporation has 3 segments (47.7% in Industrial Precision Solutions).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Oligopoly. Pricing power: Weak vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Fastenal Company has 4 moat types across 2 domains; Nordson Corporation has 6 across 2.

Primary market context

Fastenal Company

Core industrial & construction supplies distribution (branches, Onsite, eBusiness excl. FMI)

Market

Wholesale distribution of industrial and construction supplies (fasteners, safety, tools, and other MRO/OEM consumables)

Geography

Primarily North America (with growing international presence)

Customer

Manufacturing (OEM and MRO), non-residential construction, and other commercial customers

Role

Distributor

Revenue share

55.7%

Nordson Corporation

Industrial Precision Solutions

Market

Industrial precision dispensing, coating, and material-processing equipment (adhesives, coatings, sealants, polymers)

Geography

Global

Customer

Manufacturers and converters (packaging, nonwovens/hygiene, automotive, industrial, agriculture)

Role

Capital equipment OEM / process-solution provider

Revenue share

47.7%

Side-by-side metrics

Fastenal Company
Nordson Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
FAST - NASDAQ
NDSN - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
$53.1B
$16.2B
Gross margin (TTM)
45%
55.2%
Operating margin (TTM)
20.2%
25.9%
Net margin (TTM)
15.4%
18.4%
Sector
Industrials
Industrials
Industry
Industrial - Distribution
Industrial - Machinery
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Core industrial & construction supplies distribution (branches, Onsite, eBusiness excl. FMI)
Industrial Precision Solutions
Market structure
Competitive
Oligopoly
Market share
n/a
n/a
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Weak
Moderate
Moat score
57 / 100
67 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand
Supply, Demand
Last update
2026-01-06
2025-12-29

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Service Field NetworkData Workflow Lockin

Fastenal Company strengths

Procurement InertiaOperational Excellence

Nordson Corporation strengths

Capex Knowhow ScaleSwitching Costs GeneralInstalled Base ConsumablesDesign In Qualification

Segment mix

Fastenal Company segments

Full profile >

Fastenal Managed Inventory (FMI)

Competitive

44.3%

Core industrial & construction supplies distribution (branches, Onsite, eBusiness excl. FMI)

Competitive

55.7%

Nordson Corporation segments

Full profile >

Industrial Precision Solutions

Oligopoly

47.7%

Medical and Fluid Solutions

Competitive

29.9%

Advanced Technology Solutions

Oligopoly

22.4%

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Proven models entering the expansion stage with unit economics that work.

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Curation & Accuracy

This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).

Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.