VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Friday, January 2, 2026

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 Stock Market

Market cap (USD)
Gross margin (TTM)
Operating margin (TTM)
Net margin (TTM)
SectorIndustrials
CountryUS
Data as of2026-01-01
Moat score
60/ 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)$13.6B
Gross margin (TTM)55.2%
Operating margin (TTM)25.5%
Net margin (TTM)17.4%
SectorIndustrials
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 60 / 100 for Fastenal Company).
  • Segment focus: Fastenal Company has 3 segments (54.5% in Branch-based distribution (in-market branches)); 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 5 moat types across 2 domains; Nordson Corporation has 6 across 2.

Primary market context

Fastenal Company

Branch-based distribution (in-market branches)

Market

Industrial & construction supplies distribution (MRO/OEM consumables) via local branches

Geography

North America (primary) + select international

Customer

B2B

Role

Distributor / MRO supplier

Revenue share

54.5%

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 Stock Market
NDSN - NASDAQ
Market cap (USD)
n/a
$13.6B
Gross margin (TTM)
n/a
55.2%
Operating margin (TTM)
n/a
25.5%
Net margin (TTM)
n/a
17.4%
Sector
Industrials
Industrials
HQ country
US
US
Primary segment
Branch-based distribution (in-market branches)
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
60 / 100
67 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand
Supply, Demand
Last update
2026-01-01
2025-12-29

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Switching Costs GeneralData Workflow Lockin

Fastenal Company strengths

Physical Network DensityOperational ExcellenceScope Economies

Nordson Corporation strengths

Capex Knowhow ScaleService Field NetworkInstalled Base ConsumablesDesign In Qualification

Segment mix

Fastenal Company segments

Full profile >

Branch-based distribution (in-market branches)

Competitive

54.5%

Onsite solutions (embedded customer locations)

Competitive

42.4%

Other / non-traditional sales (services & custom manufacturing)

Competitive

3.1%

Nordson Corporation segments

Full profile >

Industrial Precision Solutions

Oligopoly

47.7%

Medical and Fluid Solutions

Competitive

29.9%

Advanced Technology Solutions

Oligopoly

22.4%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

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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.