Quarterly earnings results are a good time to check in on a company’s progress, especially compared to its peers in the same sector. Today we are looking at Fastenal (NASDAQ: FAST) and the best and worst performers in the maintenance and repair distributors industry.

Supply chain and inventory management are themes that grew in focus after COVID wreaked havoc on the global movement of raw materials and components. Maintenance and repair distributors that boast reliable selection and quickly deliver products to customers can benefit from this theme. While e-commerce hasn’t disrupted industrial distribution as much as consumer retail, it is still a real threat, forcing investment in omnichannel capabilities to serve customers everywhere. Additionally, maintenance and repair distributors are at the whim of economic cycles that impact the capital spending and construction projects that can juice demand.

The 9 maintenance and repair distributors stocks we track reported a mixed Q4. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 0.8%.

While some maintenance and repair distributors stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 2.6% since the latest earnings results.

Fastenal (NASDAQ: FAST)

Founded in 1967, Fastenal (NASDAQ: FAST) provides industrial and construction supplies, including fasteners, tools, safety products, and many other product categories to businesses globally.

Fastenal reported revenues of $1.82 billion, up 3.7% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 1%. Overall, it was a slower quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is up 4.3% since reporting and currently trades at $78.

Read our full report on Fastenal here, it’s free.

Best Q4: MSC Industrial (NYSE: MSM)

Founded in NYC’s Little Italy, MSC Industrial Direct (NYSE: MSM) provides industrial supplies and equipment, offering vast and reliable selection for customers such as contractors

MSC Industrial reported revenues of $928.5 million, down 2.7% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 2.7%. The business had a stunning quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

However, the results were likely priced into the stock as it’s traded sideways since reporting. Shares currently sit at $80.11.

Is now the time to buy MSC Industrial? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q4: Transcat (NASDAQ: TRNS)

Serving the pharmaceutical, industrial manufacturing, energy, and chemical process industries, Transcat (NASDAQ: TRNS) provides measurement instruments and supplies.

Transcat reported revenues of $66.75 million, up 2.4% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 5%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EBITDA and EPS estimates.

Transcat delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates in the group. As expected, the stock is down 26.3% since the results and currently trades at $73.36.

Read our full analysis of Transcat’s results here.

VSE Corporation (NASDAQ: VSEC)

With roots dating back to 1959 and a strategic focus on extending the life of transportation assets, VSE Corporation (NASDAQ: VSEC) provides aftermarket parts distribution and maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for aircraft and vehicle fleets in commercial and government markets.

VSE Corporation reported revenues of $299 million, up 27.1% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 1.8%. Overall, it was a stunning quarter as it also logged an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates.

VSE Corporation achieved the fastest revenue growth among its peers. The stock is up 21.7% since reporting and currently trades at $122.91.

Read our full, actionable report on VSE Corporation here, it’s free.

DXP (NASDAQ: DXPE)

Founded during the emergence of Big Oil in Texas, DXP (NASDAQ: DXPE) provides pumps, valves, and other industrial components.

DXP reported revenues of $470.9 million, up 15.7% year on year. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 5.3%. It was a very strong quarter as it also put up a solid beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

DXP delivered the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. The stock is up 5.6% since reporting and currently trades at $83.10.

Read our full, actionable report on DXP here, it’s free.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Hidden Gem Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

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